That constant “drip, drip, drip” from a tap isn’t just an annoying sound; it’s the sound of money going down the drain. In a place like Lanzarote, where every drop of water is precious, even small leaks can have a big impact on your wallet and the environment.
But the good news is, you don’t have to be a plumbing expert to take control. A few simple checks can help you spot problems early, protect your property, and save a significant amount of money.
A single dripping tap can waste thousands of litres of water a year. That adds up to a surprisingly high water bill but beyond the personal financial cost, there is a wider community cost as it puts an unnecessary strain on Lanzarote’s desalination plants and our island’s finite resources. Taking a few minutes to check for leaks is a small investment that pays off for you and the community.
So even for those of us who reach for the classified ads as soon as there’s a mere hint of a problem here’s a few things you should do on a regular basis to protect your home and spot any potential issues before they turn into a big problem.
Your First Line of Defence: The Water Meter
Your water meter is your best friend for detecting hidden leaks. Every property has one, hopefully you know where yours is! Here’s a simple check you can do
1. Turn everything off – Make sure no taps are running, the washing machine is off, and no one is using the shower.
2. Read your meter – take a photo or write down the numbers on your water meter. 3. Wait – Leave everything off for at least 30 minutes an hour is even better but, in this instance, don’t make a cup of tea.
4. Read the meter again – Check the meter again. If the numbers have changed, you likely have a leak somewhere in your system.
5. Meter spinning – if you can actually see your meter spinning then it’s very likely you have a leak that needs attention.
Common Culprits Hiding in Plain Sight
Once you know you have a leak, where do you look? Many leaks don’t need specialist detection equipment to work out where they are coming from, there are a few common problem areas you can check yourself
Toilets
A constantly running toilet is a major water waster. Check for a silent leak by adding a few drops of food colouring to the cistern. Wait about 15 minutes without flushing. If colour appears in the bowl, your flapper valve isn’t sealing properly and needs to be replaced.
You would not believe how many “leaks” we see that are actually leaky toilets. For best practice, have a little check on all your toilets every few weeks. Depending on whether it’s a slow drip or a steady flow a leaking toilet can lose 5- 30 litres of water an hour!
Appliance Hoses
Check the hoses connected to your washing machine, dishwasher, and water heater. Look for bulges, cracks, or any signs of moisture. These hoses are under constant pressure and can fail unexpectedly.
Water heaters here are not as durable as they are in the UK with a life span of around 5 years, depending on usage. If your water heater fails unexpectedly then your kitchen may well resemble a swimming pool so a simple monthly check can prevent this
Taps and Showerheads
Don’t ignore those drips. Often, a simple washer replacement is all that’s needed to fix a leaky tap.
We also see leaks which are simply a tap been left on, whether it’s an outside tap that’s not visible or a tap in a room that’s barely used, that’s literally water and money going down the drain
Walls
Watch your paint (not drying). Flaking paint or “ furry” walls can often be an indicator of a leak. A quick check on your water system will confirm if you have a leak.
When to Call in the Professionals
These DIY checks are a great first step and can help you catch many common problems. Some of those problems you may be able to fix yourself and a lot of these problems do not have us running into crisis mode.
However, if your meter is still running or your water pump in kicking in unexpectedly and you can’t find the source you may have a more complex or hidden leak in your pipes. That’s when it’s time to call for professional help, that’s when to call Canary Detect.
We offer professional water leak detection and swimming pool leak detection across Lanzarote. Using €80,000+ specialist equipment including thermal imaging, acoustic sensors and tracer gas technology and our team of qualified plumbers you can be confident that if there’s a leak to be found we’ll find it.
Canary Detect, The Leaky Finders offer a free leak confirmation test Free Leak Confirmation Test Lanzarote | Canary Detect where they will utilise their skills, experience and detection equipment to confirm for definite if your property has a leak or not.
If you are sure you have a leak then you can book our villa leak Hidden Water Leak Detection Lanzarote | No Find, No Fee or pool leak survey Swimming Pool Leak Detection Lanzarote | Canary Detect . We us advanced technology to pinpoint the exact location of leaks without causing unnecessary damage to your property and leaving it like we were never there.
Regular check-ups can prevent major issues, save you money, and give you peace of mind. By taking a proactive approach to your home’s plumbing, you’re not just protecting your property—you’re investing in its future and helping to conserve Lanzarote’s most valuable resource.
Contact us today at http://canary-detect.com or call +34 711 051 071
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