Underground Leak Detection plumber services will be involving special electronic tools and equipment and search methods to locate hidden water main leaks inside your plumbing system.For the average person, these annoying leaks can be extremely difficult to “pin down” and locate. Experienced plumbing contractors use special methods like audible leak detection , color video camera inspection, and graphic thermal imaging to point to the precise location of the actual leak.This tricky process makes for a exact target repair helping the stressed out homeowner saves tons of time and needless spending of money.It’s kind of like what Davy Crockett said ,,,”Make Sure You’re Right , and Then Go Ahead !”
To be clear,,,Professional leak detection is the careful process of finding out and then locating troublesome water leaks whether visible or a worse scenario when the are under a concrete slab or when they hide behind a plaster wall. Either way they are a major headache and disruption of your daily routine.Be smart. Let a licensed plumber handle it!
Well how exactly do plumbers find these pesky leaks?
There are a whole range of techniques and procedures to locate an underground water leak. First there is acoustic leak detection where the plumber/technician uses super sensitive listening devices or microphones for detection of hissing sounds of water escaping thru the walls of rotten failing copper or galvanized water lines. These leaks could be in a standard stud wall or under a concrete slab most common in recent new construction.
Inspection using color video cameras .
This is used when you have a situation with a leaking sewer line where there is evidence of trouble such a muddy pool or wet spot on your front yard.
Thermal Imaging
This is where we break out and use special infared digital cameras to detect differences of temperatures as a result of leaking water which will “point out” or “reveal” the leak location.
Moisture Detection Meters
These “hand held” devices about the size of a regular TV Remote are used by the plumber to detect the obvious presence of dampness and moisture caused by an ongoing water leak . Once set up and used properly by trained personel, these devices reveal the exact location of a ongoing leak in the system.
Compressed Air Testing For Leaks
With this method the plumber caps off and isolates all existing ½” water outlets both hot and cold in a house. We close off all sections of the water supply system and then pump up the system with an air compressor to about 100 PSI (pounds per square inch). The technician will then monitor the attached pressure gauge to see if the pressure will drop a bit over time.If so, this is a sure indication there is a leak somewhere on the piping. The plumber will also use special headphones and an amplifier to listen for a “hissing sound” which is a “dead give away” as to the location of a leak.
Once the leak or leaks are located , the plumber can then carefully upon a wall up and exposed the leaking pipe or carefully saw cut and excavate the concrete slab , expose the pipe , remove and replace it with new pipe and fittings or in some cases do what is called a “reroute” where new pipe is installed “up over and out” in the nearby wall and ceiling to a new point of connection to the fixture originally fed by the leaking pipe. After the plumber performs the work , the air compressor is removed and the system is turned back on and put under pressure to test for leaks and to insure the work was properly done.
If everything is satisfactory and the plumber is assured the work was successful, the concrete excavation is repaired by carefully replacing and finishing the concrete getting it ready for the flooring specialist for expert flooring replacement, it must be perfect , not amateur. If the leak was in a 2” x 4” stud wall, the plumber will replace damaged insulation and make a smooth drywall repair to make things ready for a professional painter to make thing look great again.
Leak detection for bad odors from drain vent pipes
Sometimes in an older home when there is ground or foundation movement you get leaks from cracks in the original galvanized or cast iron vent pipes inside the walls. Most of the time they are extremely difficult to locate as , of course , they are hidden behind a plaster wall. This is where a smoke generating machine or “smoke maker” is employed. First the plumber seals off the entire drain venting system by going on the roof and capping off all original existing vent pipes to prevent any smoke from escaping.Then the plumber turns on a smoke machine to introduce an artificial non toxic smoke into the vent pipes. Now it’s time for the technician to pay close attention and observe what looks like smoke escaping from any joints, cracks , electrical outlet openings or any other potential leaking points. Once the plumber discovers a leak is found, the plumber and commence with repairs by carefully opening up the walls as needed , exposing the defective leaking vent pipe (usually 1-1/2” to 3” cast iron or galvanized pipe) , chopping out, removing and replacing bad pipe and fittings, retesting for more leaks with the smoke machine, and if successful will commence making drywall repairs and making things ready for a professional painter for a perfect outcome.
High Tech Ground Penetrating Radar
A sophisticated well outfitted plumber can detect and locate underground leaks with something called “ground penetrating radar”. This gadget sends heavy radar waves into the ground and its reflections are analyzed with a monitor to locate potential leaks.
Surely There Are Benefits From Professional Leak Detection
What Are They?- Simply said , professional techniques and gear can will allow licensed plumbers to “nail down” and “pinpoint” the exact, positive , practical location of an inconvenient water leak ,yes, even in obscure hidden locations.
Reduce Needless Damage and Demolition
Experienced Plumbers can truly minimize the amount of expensive damage caused by ongoing leaks by finding and indentifying leaks accurately and quickly using the right equipment.
Great Cost Savings.
Sadly , many homeowners waste tons of time and money when they invite a helpful friend, neighbor or “handyman” make an attempt to find a hidden water leak. I have walked into scenarios where parts of entire kitchen or bathroom floors are “torn up” with numerous openings of concrete floors with sledge hammers or jackhammers only to find their well intended efforts were “all in vain” and the problem leak still remains. I have seen instances of many square feet of drywall of plaster walls torn up and exposed , and yet no leak was found by this so called “helpful individual”. Why not call in the professional plumber in the first place and avoid all this unnecessary hassle and wasted time.. A well targeted diagnosis and repair from a seasoned plumber is much more cost effective and can eliminate all this misdirected , needless, and expensive “exploratory work”. Grandpa amd “Good Neighbor Sam” might have meant well , but at the end of the day , you would have probably done better with a local licensed plumber like rapidrhinoplumber.org.
Real Preventative Measures
On the bright side , now that your found a problem leak or leaks, it’s darn likely you will find more in the near future.This is just a “heads up” warning that as a practical matter, it might be time for a complete copper or PEX plastic pipe repipe of your entire home. Believe me . If you still have the original galvanized steel water lines in your 1920 to 1960 year built home , it’s a ticking time bomb and an accident waiting to happen. It’s time to get rid of that nasty rusty old pipe and upgrade to a new copper or PEX water system and you’ll enjoy the many health benefits right away.Firstly , there will be no more “surprise leaks”. And again, accurate leak detection and forecast future potential problems with leaks and alert the homeowner before they become a major inconvenience and a “right Now” problem. That being said dear homeowner,,,”There’s No Time Like The Present ! Lets roll up our sleeves and let your plumber fix things right now !
OK So When Should You Jump On The Phone and Call For Leak Detection?- Well , yes ,,,it’s pretty obvious. If you should see ever present water stains in the ceiling or walls and the drywall is damp , soggy or “mushy” to touch , it’s time to call Rapid Rhino Plumbing. If the affected area is dripping water and its warm or hot , MAN !!! It’s REALLY time to call the plumber. You got an on going water leak in a pressurized system and pretty soon a chunk of wet drywall ceiling is going to fall on your head! Best thing to do now is shut of your main water valve at the meter or at the water ”Riser” in front of your home, bleed down the system to relieve the pressure , put a plastic tarp down under the leak and call the plumber!
Do You Hear Water Running Even Though No Faucets Are Open?
You got a water leak situation Mister!
Please shut off your water main, bleed it done to relieve the water pressure and call your plumber fast! Time’s a wasting!!! Also pay attention to the crawl space openings on the side of your house if you have what they call a “ raised foundation” and have a 2 foot “Crawl Space” under your house. If you kneel down , poke your head in , search with a flashlight and hear a hissing or gurgling sound ,and/ or see any dampness, puddles or muddy areas,,if you see a pipe spraying out a stream of water you definately have an ongoing water leak under your house.It’s time to call a plumber and address it soon as possible. You might even want to call an water abatement company to extract and remove the excess water immediately. You don’t want to have a toxic mold condition in your house. At lease set up 2 or 3 portable fans running overnight to dry things up and DO CALL an abatement company as its probably included in your homeowners insurance.
Unusually High Recent Water Bill
A high water bill is a big Red Flag pointing to an ongoing but hidden leak. Here’s a quick test ,,. Make sure all your faucets and fixtures are turned off and tell all family members not to use them. Walk out to your water meter, open the lid and look at the glass dial on your meter and see if you notice any movement the needle on the clock like face. Sometime there will be a small red triangle needle that will spin if you have a ongoing leak. You see if all your faucets are closed and there is no water use your needle should be static with no movement at all. If you have movement on you needle and there is no water use inside the house, it’s time to call a plumber. You have a hidden leak and need an expert.
You Suspect A Water Leak But Cannot Find It !!
Don’t monkey around. You are wasting time and money.To be honest sometimes it’s even difficult for an experienced plumber to find a hidden leak. Sometimes its simple , but often times he has to pull out every piece of special electronic equipment at his disposal in order to find the problem. Often times the subject leak is in an area that last place you could believe there was a leak.Some times leaks are intermitant and vague. The smart thing to do is to call a local experienced licensed plumber like the crew at Rapid Rhino Plumbing in Monrovia , Calif to help you out (please check out our many 5 star reviews on Yelp and Google My Business page)
We hope this overall article about leak detection and remedy has been helpful to you. Please call us now for assistance at 626 524-4255