When we go out to a home to fix a plumbing leak the number one issue we see is homeowners have let leaks go without repair for far too long. Typically homeowners see leaks as the source of annoying sounds or inconvenient pools of water that need cleaning. We find that the very real threats that plumbing leaks pose are often ignored. In this blog post we will talk about water leaks and how to find and fix them throughout your home.
It goes without saying that in order to repair a leaking faucet or running toilet, you must first identify which fixture is leaking. For most homeowners this will be simple and straightforward. They will be able to follow the dreaded drip…drip…dripping sound right to the source.
A leak faucet can be easily fixed with little more than 5 minutes of effort and a wrench.
Unlucky homeowners will have a bit of a tougher time tracking down and repairing a leak. For instance, a toilet that is constantly running may be easily identified but fixing requires skills that are simply outside of your wheelhouse. Or maybe the water heater in your home has sprung a leak that requires immediate attention and you have no idea how to stop the water from flowing from the tank onto your homes flooring.
And then there are the scariest leaks of all, the leaks that occur under a homes slab foundation or inside broken or damaged sewer lines.
Think Of Leaks As A Warning & An Opportunity
The number one thing you can do for your home’s plumbing system is act swiftly. The quicker a leak is located and repaired the less damage it will have time to cause. We try to frame a leak detection as an opportunity to identify potentially catastrophic plumbing failures before they strike.
Believe it or not most homeowners put off dealing with a leak simply because of the perceived hassle associated with calling a local plumber, scheduling service, and keeping an appointment. However, by neglecting the issue a minor leak that could previously have been fixed quickly and inexpensively can transform into a serious plumbing problem. It is all too common that a small pinhole leak under the slab goes unrepaired leading to a full on break in the line.
The Art Of Leak Location
At the first sign of a leak, whether it be an increased water bill, discolored carpets or flooring, or water literally flowing up through the slab foundation of your home, call a plumber! Not just any plumber. Call a leak detection plumber who specializes in locating hidden water leaks.
Finding out the exact location of a water leak is no easy task. Firstly, if the leak is not overt such as a leaking tap or running toilet, specialized equipment is needed to pinpoint it’s location. The last thing you want is an inexperienced plumber playing a game of peek-a-boo with your homes walls & flooring.
When it comes to leak location we are the go-to plumbers in Mesquite, Dallas, Garland, Rockwall, and the Greater DFW! When we arrive on-site at your home or business we will begin determing which system the leak is present in. The sewer line/drainage system, or the fresh water supply coming from the main water line.
More straightforward leaks are easier to locate. What makes a leak straightforward? We consider this any leak that you already have a pretty good approximate location of. For instance, you may be able to hear water running under the flooring or feel a hot-spot on the floor in a certain room in your home. This would indicate that a leak is present in a pipe located underneath the slab foundation in that very spot.
For harder to find leaks we begin with a visual inspection. We will evaluate your homes interior for moist spots, mold or mildew growth, shifted/warped flooring, cracked walls & slabs, and peeling wall paper. After a thorough visual inspection is completed our plumbers will usually have a pretty good idea of the general location of the leak. This means it’s time to bring out our listening equipment to pinpoint the leaks location.
For the really hard to find leaks, like those located in the sewer line of a home we can typically use a video camera to put an eye in the pipe. This will allow us to trace unobstructed sections of sewer line and even record video of the inside of the pipe.
To schedule a leak detection service and have one of our plumbers come out to your home or business to resolve a potential plumbing leak simply give us a call at (214) 388-4525 or fill out the form here. We are available Monday through Friday from 7am to 5pm.
