Did you know that the average Joe or Jane spends at least eight minutes in the shower?

Doesn’t seem like a long time, right?

No, but consider this. A standard showerhead lets out about 2.5 gallons of water per minute. That means for every eight-minute shower you take, you’ve already used 20 gallons of water.

That said, it’s no wonder the average water use in California was 86 gallons per day, per person in 2016. If you have plumbing leaks, however, there’s no doubt you go beyond that amount.

That’s why leak detection services should be a priority if you think you have dripping pipes. Leaks aren’t only expensive; they’re also a complete waste of resources.

Before you call the first plumber Google gives you the number of, it’s best to do some preparation first. Check out the tips we’ve listed below so you can get the best bang for your buck when hiring a plumber!

1. Determine How Many Potential Leaks You Have

Before calling in the plumbing pros, confirm you actually have leaks first. It can take some time, but it’ll be worth it since you’ll also know how many leaks you may have.

This will then give your local plumber an idea of how big the leak repair project will be. For you, this means having an estimate of how much the job may cost.

In this case, your water meter can serve as one of your best leak finders. Most home water meters are inside, often in the basement or garage.

For Meters with Leak Indicators

To start checking for leaks, make sure no one is using water in any part of the house. Then, check the meter and see if the orange or red dial is moving. Some meters may also have a tiny, rotating silver wheel that indicates flowing water.

A moving dial or wheel means there’s still water running inside the house. It could be very helpful if someone else can do the checking of the faucets and toilets while you look at the meter. If not, you need to check them to determine which one is causing the leak.

You can also turn off each faucet and toilet at a time to see at which point the meter stops. Doing this lets you pinpoint the leak source. Also, since you’ll check for each potential cause, you’ll know how many faulty faucets or toilets you have.

For Meters without Leak Indicators

In case you have an older meter, you can still check for leaks by comparing readings.

To do this, look at your meter and take note of the current reading before heading to work. Make sure no one will use water throughout the house and for the rest of the day. Once you get back home in the afternoon, check the reading again.

If there’s no change, you don’t have a leak. If the readings don’t match, then it’s time to call in a leak detection specialist.

2. Do Your Homework on Local Providers of Leak Detection Services

After confirming you do have plumbing leaks, set up a schedule with a plumber right away. You want to go local, whether you live in Diamond Bar or Rowland Heights, California. This way, you can rely on the water leak specialist to get to your home as soon as possible.

Before setting up an appointment though, make sure you do the following first:

Check Licensure, Insurance, and Bond of the Plumbing Specialist

In California, plumbing contractors who take on jobs worth $500 or more need a license. It’s the law, and failure to abide by this can result in the suspension of the project.

Plus, having a license means the contractor has at least four years of experience. This also means they have liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Furthermore, licensure means they have filed at least a $15,000 bond with the Registrar.

These will protect you from liabilities and your property from damage in case of an accident. Let’s say the plumber slips due to the wet floor while fixing leaks in your home. If the plumber sustains injuries, you won’t be liable for the incident or the hospital bills.

Plus, a license also makes it easier to verify the plumbing business’ legitimacy. You can contact the California Contractors State License Board to confirm this. The CSLB will let you know that the contractor has an up-to-date license.

Read Consumer Reviews and Testimonials

Look up online plumber reviews and testimonials from previous clients. If possible, look for customer reviews specifically on water leak detection services.

These reviews may contain info on how long it took the plumber to pinpoint leaks. You may even find out which plumbers use precision plumbers leak detector technology. Precision leak detection technology saves time by pinpointing exact leak sources.

3. Prepping Your Home for the Actual Plumbing Service Visit

Make the leak detection and repair visit as problem-free as possible with these tips:

Tidy Up the Repair Area

The national average cost to hire a plumber is about $300. Most plumbers charge per hour though, depending on the project.

As such, you want to make the job take up the least time possible to keep your costs down. That’s why it’s best to clean and clear the repair area (where the leaks are) before the plumber arrives. This lets the leak detection and repair specialist get started right away.

Keep Your Pets Outside of the Work Area

If you have pets, place them in another room so that they won’t disturb the plumber. Allowing them access to the job site can lead to your furry pals sneaking out some of the plumber’s tools.

Also, keep in mind that plumbing parts and tools can be small. Your pets may chew and swallow these, which can cause health risks. Some can even get stuck in their throats and pose choking hazards.

Get Those Leaks Detected and Fixed Now

Keep in mind that a single faucet that leaks 10 drops of water per minute can already waste three liters of water a day. That’s why you want to find a trustworthy provider of leak detection services ASAP.

So long as you follow our tips though, you’ll be able to save water and money by getting those leaks fixed soon.

Need immediate water leak detection and repairs? If so, then don’t hesitate to schedule plumbing service and repair with us! Ring us up now to set up an appointment or if you have any plumbing-related questions.