In many situations, finding the leak in your plumbing is as simple as locating the puddle of water on the floor, the wet section of drywall or ceiling tile. But when you get a huge water bill that you can’t explain or find that your water pressure has suddenly dropped significantly, then you are likely to be facing a hidden leak. And at this point, most homeowners can only imagine a plumber going through the house with a sledgehammer knocking holes in walls, floors, and the ceiling. But rest assured, that is not how a professional plumber is going to locate a leak in your home.
It’s All About Sound
Some leaks are actually audible when your home is very quiet. It could be early in the morning or late at night when you hear the faint dripping sound. After determining that it is not coming from a leaky fixture, it is time to call the professionals who will use the latest in leak detection technology to find the water leak without destroying your home. These locators not only amplify the sound of the water moving, but they also block out all of the other distracting noises such as the HVAC system in your home or sounds from outside like traffic noise.
What Does Water Sound Like?
When water is correctly flowing through pipes, it makes very little sound. But when water is flowing through a tiny crack in a pipe, it makes a hissing noise like liquid being forced from a syringe. And if that water is hitting rocks or soil outside the pipe, that makes a distinctive sound as well. Then, as the water begins to erode a larger space around the pipe, the water will begin to gurgle almost like the sound of a stream. All of these sounds can be detected and analyzed by a trained plumber who has experience listening to water flow via the leak detection equipment.
What If My Home Is Built On A Slab Foundation?
Having a slab foundation does make it more challenging to locate a plumbing leak as the pipes are all running under concrete to get into your home. But a ground sensor can be used to hear leaks that are under even a concrete slab. Surprisingly, a hard surface like your concrete foundation will help to resonate the sound of a water leak for as much as 10 feet around the pipe itself. This allows a trained professional to zero in on the exact location of the leak to minimize the damage to your home and to the foundation when making the pipe repair.
It Pays To Go With A Pro
Clearly, the latest technology used in leak detection has some great benefits, such as less damage to your home and less time needed to search for the leak. But to get the most bang for your buck, hire only an experienced plumber, who has been trained to use leak detection equipment properly. Even though the pros often cost a little bit more per hour, they are much more efficient and cost-effective when you are paying for their services by the hour. In addition, these licensed, bonded, and insured contractors offer reliable warranties and will often provide you with a satisfaction guarantee before ever starting work on locating your plumbing leak. Remember, you get what you pay for, and plumbing leaks are never a place to cut corners to save a few bucks. That mindset is more likely to cost you more money in the long run because of additional repair and clean-up expenses.
