Water leaks in your home can be very elusive and annoying. You might think that you hear water dripping late at night when the house is quiet. Or you could discover an odd wet area on the floor. But even worse are the concealed leaks that you never see or hear. There could be no sign of pooling water, just a few other subtle hints that there is an issue with your home’s water lines. But the questions continue to plague you as you wonder how to proceed or whom to call for answers.
What Makes You Think You Have A Water Leak?
Other than stepping in a puddle of water on the living room floor, there are many little hints from your home that you have a water leak. It could be as simple as a constantly increasing water bill. It jumps a few dollars each month, but you can’t figure out why. Or there is a room in your home that suddenly smells a little bit musty and damp. Both of these are good reasons to worry about a water leak somewhere in your home.
Another common sign of a water leak is a drop in water pressure. For example, you used to have excellent water pressure in the shower, but not it is just a little less relaxing. Seeing tiny flakes of dirt in your water is also a concerning indication that there is something wrong with your home’s water lines. In most cases, there is a leak under your home’s foundation allowing dirt particles to enter the waterline and contaminate your drinking water.
How To Verify Your Concern
Every house has a water meter that measures precisely how much water is flowing into it. And when everything in the house that consumes water is turned off, that meter should not be registering any water usage. With an older meter that has a dial, the arrow will be perfectly still. In the case of a digital meter, the number will remain constant and not increase. However, if there is a water leak in your home, the meter will continue to move. That will let you know that it is time to call in a licensed plumber for leak detection.
How Does Leak Detection Work?
In the past, leak detection was not very refined. Plumbers had to make logical guesses about where the leak was in your home and then go in search of it. In most cases, that meant knocking holes in the walls and floors to find the leaking water line. Fortunately, today’s leak detection experts use the latest technology to locate leaks, not a sledgehammer.
Moisture sensors, thermal imaging equipment, and sound amplification tools allow highly skilled leak detection crews to locate even a tiny water leak hidden under a concrete foundation. Once the leak is found, the team can determine the most cost-effective way to access the leaking line and repair it.
Leaks located in walls and floors require a small access hole to complete the repair process. Then the line is pressure tested, and the area can be repaired. Water leaks under a concrete slab must be accessed either by digging under the concrete or cutting a hole in the foundation. Again, the repair is made to the pipe, and then it is pressure tested before the work area is restored.
If you think you have a leak in your home, the best course of action is to call (866) 619-7063. The licensed plumbers at Leak1 Leak Detection will arrive quickly to begin locating the leak to limit the potential for costly water damage.