According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 10% of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Nationwide, that amounts to nearly 1 trillion gallons of water wasted every year.

The EPA’s National Fix a Leak Week is the third week of March. Take this time to learn how to check for leaks in your home.

How can you tell if you have a water leak?

The EPA’s Fix a Leak webpage lists several ways to uncover a water leak in your home:

Read your water bill

If you have a hidden water leak, your water utility bill will be your first clue. The EPA says to look at your water usage during a colder month. If your water use is excessive, you have a serious leak. As a baseline, a family of four should not exceed 12,000 gallons per month.

Check your water meter

An easy way to test whether you have a leak is to check your water meter. Schedule a two-hour period of no water use. Check your meter before and after. If the reading changes, you likely have a leak.

Test your toilets

According to the water monitoring company WaterSignal, leaky toilets are among the top causes of household water leaks. WaterSignal estimates a running toilet can waste up to 1 gallon of water in less than a minute.

The EPA recommends a simple test to check for toilet leaks: Place a drop of food coloring in your toilet tank. Wait 10 minutes. If there’s any color in the bowl, you have a leak. (Remember to flush the toilet so the food coloring doesn’t stain your tank.)

Inspect your faucets

Look for leaks from the spout, base of the faucet and piping under the sink.

A dripping spout will be fairly obvious. But if you have a mild leak, you may not notice it at first. According to the home website The Spruce, you might find that you have to turn the faucet handle a little tighter to shut off the water. Or you might have to position it in a certain way. These things can be early warning signs of a leak.

Another place you might find a leak is around the base of the faucet. This can be a little trickier to detect, since water often ends up around the faucet from everyday use. To check for a leak, dry the base of the faucet and surrounding area. Then turn the water on. Look for water pooling around the base of the faucet. If you have a leak, this will only happen when the water is turned on.

Checking for a leak under a sink can be a bit more work. First, empty out the storage so you can access the pipes. Then check the entire area for water. Run the water and check the pipes for any dripping. 

According to The Spruce, the most common sources of leaks under sinks are loose water supply connections and loose sink drain or “P-trap” connections. (The P-trap is the U-shaped pipe connecting your sink’s drain to the sewer system or septic tank. It’s so-named because it resembles the letter P when it’s flipped upside-down and laid on its side.)

If you suspect you might have a slow leak, lay some paper towels below the piping and check back the next day. If it’s wet, you probably have a leak.

Examine your appliances

Check for pooling water underneath your dishwasher, refrigerator and clothes washer. If you see any signs of water where it shouldn’t be, you could have a supply line leak.

Check your hoses and outdoor irrigation

If you have an in-ground irrigation system, check it every spring to make sure you don’t have any damaged pipes. The EPA estimates that an irrigation system with a leak the thickness of a dime can waste 6,300 gallons of water per month.

If you need help, hire an irrigation professional certified by a WaterSense labeled program. WaterSense is a voluntary partnership program between the EPA and other organizations that helps consumers save water.

Remember to check your hoses, too. Leaks often happen where the hose connects to the spigot.

What to do if you discover a leak

Fix leaks right away. A home leak won’t resolve itself. And it will probably get worse if you leave it unaddressed. The EPA’s Fix a Leak Week webpage has several resources for fixing various home leaks. If you decide to fix the leak on your own, look for the WaterSense label on the parts you purchase.

If you aren’t handy, you can always hire a professional. When searching for a plumber:

• Check online reviews.
• Look up the company’s Better Business Bureau rating.
• Ask them to explain the problem and how they’ll fix it.
• Ask for a copy of their certificate of insurance.
• Get several written quotes.

Invest in a whole-house water shut-off device

A simple way to monitor your home for leaks and prevent damage is to invest in a whole-house water shut-off device. Whole-house water detection and shut-off devices sense moisture on the floor or flows in your pipes. They can alert you to anomalies so you can remotely turn off the water via an app on your smartphone. Or they can automatically turn off the valve on the water supply to your home.

Many insurers are promoting the use of water shut-off devices to prevent costly water damage. If you have one of these, ask your home insurer about discounts.

A note on homeowners insurance exclusions

Basic homeowners insurance policies are intended to cover sudden and accidental damage, not wear and tear. If you neglect a leak and suffer water damage as a result, your homeowners insurance likely won’t cover it. For example, a well-maintained pipe that bursts would probably be covered. But a pipe that bursts because your house is too cold probably wouldn’t be.

Consider a home warranty if you want wear and tear coverage for appliances. A home warranty policy is different from a home insurance policy because it covers some wear and tear and repairs. It could help cover the costs of leaking devices like toilets. 

But make sure you’re clear on what’s covered before buying a home warranty. Many don’t allow you to choose your preferred plumber, which can be a deal-breaker for some homeowners. They also include service fees and exclusions. Look for exclusions that refuse coverage for appliances and pipes beyond a certain age.

In addition to staying on top of home maintenance, ask your insurance agent to review your homeowners policy. They can help you identify and fill any coverage gaps.