Often, the only way someone knows they have a leak on their property is when the water company notifies them that their meter has continuously been running for the last week.
Water leak detection and subsequent repair are important in order to halt the damage to your property and sometimes to adjoining properties.
You may suspect you have a plumbing leak if you have high water bills, cracks in the basement floor, unusual behavior from the water heater, or a running water sound when there’s no tap on.
Water leaks are the result of several causes:
Interior leaks fall into two categories – constant and intermittent. Constant leaks include any supply pipe or fitting that has a crack or failed connection.
Supply pipes are under continual pressure, and that means if they have a leak, it will always be running. This may or may not result in a visible wet spot on a wall or ceiling. Many interior plumbing leaks happen inside hidden areas and go unnoticed for long periods of time.
Intermittent leaks are usually from sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, and appliances that use water. Clothes washers and dishwashers will typically produce leaks only when they are operating, and since many people leave these appliances unattended, they can leak into wall spaces unnoticed. This can result in a hidden area of your building that is dampened and dried out, over and over.
Wet Or Dry Rot
Dry rot has a somewhat misleading name, as it requires a certain amount of water to become established. Like wet rot, it softens and degrades wood materials, requiring them to be replaced. Signs of rot must be addressed after a water leak is repaired.
Disintegrating Materials
Drywall, plywood, and composite wood products all swell and disintegrate when dampened by a water leak. With enough continuous water, cement products can also become weakened and lose their chemical bonding. The resulting tiny air pockets can cause the concrete to crumble into powder.
Insect Or Rodent Infestation
Insect and rodent infestations will only happen if there is a reliable water supply. Termites, carpenter ants, roof rats, and nesting pigeons all benefit from water leaks, particularly those in the attic or roof.
Sinking Foundation
A sinking foundation can be caused by a water leak that compromises the supporting ground under the structure. This is more likely if the ground was not properly compacted before construction, but a big enough water leak can erode even firm ground.
Mold
Mold damage is not just unsightly; it presents serious health hazards as well. Once a water leak has germinated mold growth, any porous materials that are affected must be removed and replaced. This includes drywall, “popcorn” or other textured ceilings, fabric and upholstery, wood, and insulation. Undetected leaks may facilitate extensive mold infestations, particularly if they go undetected for a long time.
Rust
Rust from water leaks is mostly a cosmetic problem, at least as far as larger structural components such as load-bearing steel beams. But smaller metal components, like those holding up a suspended or “drop” ceiling, are more susceptible to meaningful rust damage.
Detection And Location
When we come to your home or business to locate a leak, the first thing we do is determine the plumbing’s general layout and examine various telltale signs regarding the leak.
Leaks Inside Walls
A leaking pipe or fitting inside a wall can be difficult to pinpoint without cutting holes in the wall. We use infrared detection devices to spot water leaks and several other problems, such as damaged insulation, electrical hot spots, pest infestations, and mold.
Leaks Under Concrete
A slab leak presents a number of difficulties and is one of the worst plumbing problems a homeowner might encounter. A slab leak is a designation for a leak in the pipes under a building’s concrete foundation. They can result in extensive water waste, and eventually foundation damage.
Acoustic Sensors And Ground Microphones
Acoustic sensors and other types of ground listening devices are used to locate the characteristic sound of water inside pressurized pipes. They can detect these signature sounds through thick concrete and pinpoint the leak’s location.
Pressure Sensors
Pressure sensors are used to scan for pressure and temperature changes inside the concrete foundation. Especially useful for thick concrete slabs, these sensors look for abnormal qualities in the concrete slab’s geology, helping to locate the site of the leak.
Acoustic Sensors And Ground Microphones
Acoustic sensors and other types of ground listening devices are used to locate the characteristic sound of water inside pressurized pipes. They can detect these signature sounds through thick concrete and pinpoint the leak’s location.