A water leak in your home is no laughing matter. An undiscovered leak can cause significant damage if it is not discovered quickly. This is a huge reason it’s crucial to detect a leak as soon as possible. The best way is to hire a licensed plumbing company and let their experts handle the job. Here is a guide to how to detect water leaks in your home.

Signs of Hidden Leakage

Water detection is quite important on several levels. It can go far beyond looking at your water bill and see an unexpecting higher water bill. Undetected leaks can cause structural damage as well as weaken the home’s foundation. It can also cause mold, which can devastate the home and render it unlivable until the mold is removed. Requiring a mold remediation experts trained to carefully and responsibly eliminate mold.

Sudden Utility Increase

If your water bill has abruptly increased, this is a surefire sign that you have a hidden water leak. This is because of water leaking from pipes in a hidden spot that is difficult to notice without a professional inspection. Therefore, it’s so important to have a plumbing company inspect your home’s pipes regularly. You can help combat this at home by paying attention to your water bills and calling at the first sign of an unexplained increase.

Musty Odors

One of the easiest ways to detect a hidden water leak is by a moldy or musty smell. This is especially prevalent in rooms that are already prone to a high humidity level, such as bathrooms or basements. Hiring a professional plumbing company can prevent extensive damage, foul odors, and mold growth in the home.

Increased Activity of the Water Meter

Most contractors recommend the homeowner monitor their water meter. If usage suddenly spikes or continues without stopping, it’s reasonable to assume there’s a water leak in your home. If your water meter is exhibiting troublesome behavior, it is recommended that you call a licensed plumber.

Water Stain

Another solid indicator of leaking plumbing is water stains, especially in areas that are around faucets or pipes. The leaks leave behind telltale marks that alert the homeowner that they have a problem that needs to be repaired.

Reduced Water Pressure

If your water pressure suddenly drops for no logical reason, then have a plumber come over and test for water leaks. This is because the leak will divert water away from the faucet or other outlet. As soon as this happens, it is necessary to quickly make repairs to avoid damage to the rest of the house.

Soggy Parts of the Lawn

The presence of wet areas on the lawn when it hasn’t rained suggests a leak in the external pipes. This will require the help of an experienced plumbing company. It is probable that they will have to dig up the wet section of the lawn to inspect.

How Will the Plumber Find Leaks?

Plumbers undergo years of on-the-job training and prepare themselves well for any plumbing emergency, installation, non-emergency repairs, and maintenance.

Physical Inspection

The first thing that a plumber will do is perform a thorough inspection of the external pipes. Each one will be manually inspected to ensure there is no corrosion or external moisture. It is recommended to perform this consistently, as all pipes need to be replaced over time, and it is definitely something you will want to do before they completely fail.

Using Leak Dye

Another “trick of the trade” that plumbers will use is a substance known as leak detection dye. This is especially useful for such fixtures as toilets because just a few drops added to the tank can reveal a leaky flapper in just a matter of minutes. This method saves both time and money on labor and allows the plumber to get to work on the problem much more quickly than they otherwise would be able to.

Specialized Cameras

Some plumbing companies will use high-tech equipment such as infrared cameras that can see right through the walls or floors and detect temperature fluctuations. This helps the plumber find the exact leak location and start repairs without invasive procedures. They will need to create a modest-sized hole in the exact location and perform the repairs from there. This saves unnecessary damage to your home and leaves everything intact with only a small patch required to be done by a drywall installer.

Advanced Detection

The plumbing company can use pressure testing methods to pinpoint exact points of leakage. This is a sound reason professionals should always be used rather than do-it-yourself methods. Another technique plumbers offer to detect leaks in sewer lines is an advanced detection method. It’s called trenchless sewer line repair. Trenchless sewer line repair is a modern method of fixing or replacing sewer pipes with no extensive digging and disruption. Instead of traditional excavation, this technique uses advanced technologies like pipe bursting and pipe lining.

In pipe bursting, a new pipe is pulled through the old one, breaking the existing pipe and replacing it simultaneously. Pipe lining, also known as cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), involves inserting a flexible liner coated with resin into the damaged pipe. The liner is then inflated and cured, creating a new pipe within the old one.

Why Professionals Are Better Than Doing It Yourself

Many people think they are doing themselves a favor by trying to repair things on their own. The common misconception is that they are saving money by doing so. However, this is rarely the case and, in fact, a professional plumber should always be called for any water leaks or any other plumbing issues. For one thing, the homeowner’s insurance policy may very well cover the repairs, especially if they were sudden and accidental.

There is also the fact that while you might save on an initial fee for the plumber if you mess up the repair and have to call one anyway, you will end up paying more because now they have to fix the additional problem and the original problem.

Follow All Plumber Instructions

Before leaving your home, the plumbing company will advise you on an array of preventive measures that you should follow to avoid any unnecessary repairs in the future. It is vital that you follow these suggestions to a “T.” Such advice may include using insulation to avoid burst pipes in the winter, monitoring all water usage so that leaks can be detected as early as possible, and even arranging regular appointments for inspections and maintenance.

Crystal Blue Plumbing Heating & Air a Well-Established Contractor in Sacramento

If you think you have a water leak or are having any other plumbing issues that require repair, please contact Crystal Blue Plumbing Heating & Air for quick and reliable service. Besides plumbing services, they also perform HVAC installation, repair, maintenance, and indoor air quality, and commercial services. Contact us today to schedule a service for detecting leaks in your Sacramento home, we have emergency services too!