Leak detection is a service a homeowner can utilize. After all, nobody wants to deal with a flooded basement. Leaking pipes can lead to mold and mildew which is dangerous for your health, and appliances like your water heater, if damaged and left untreated can explode. Water damage, in general, can be catastrophic to your health and your home, and it can cost thousands to repair. No homeowner wants a water damage catastrophe, but all these massive problems stem from a minor leak at some point. Almost any costly repair can be avoided if it’s caught early.

When is it Time for a Leak Detection?

Detecting a leak can be tricky, and unfortunately, sometimes you won’t notice a leak inside your house until the damage is already done. It’s still important to be aware of the warning signs, as not all water damage clearly indicates that it’s coming from a leaking pipe. To spot a potential leaking pipe, here are a few clues to look out for.

• Cracks in your home’s foundation. Water seepage from leaking pipes can cause sudden cracks in your home’s foundation. If water flows over a surface continuously, it eventually wears that surface down. Foundation cracks are a dangerous problem as they can destabilize your home, and usually indicate a serious leak somewhere in the supply pipe.
• Dripping pipes and faucets. If you notice your faucet’s dripping, the location of the leak is obvious, but the cause not so much. A leaky faucet can be the result of a broken pipe, an improperly installed plumbing component, or a loose plumbing component. A leaky faucet may be annoying at best, but it shouldn’t be ignored.
• Sinkholes or flooded yards. Not all water damage occurs inside your house, as that excess water can end up outside of your house. Sinkholes and yard flooding generally occur when there’s a leak in either the main water or sewer line. If the weather has been dry, but your yard isn’t, then it’s time to contact a plumber for leak detection.
• Warped paint. Not all water damage from leaking pipes comes all at once. Some water damage takes time and gradually it shows. If you start noticing the paint on your walls is bubbling, peeling, or flaking, there is a good chance that you have a leaking pipe somewhere.
• Water damaged floors, ceilings, and walls. Sometimes water damage doesn’t show in warped paint, but in discoloration, wet spots, or spongy surfaces. Water damage from a leaking pipe can happen on any surface. Make sure to thoroughly check your home for any signs of water damage, as you have one or multiple leaking pipes.
• The sound of running water. If a sink, toilet, or shower is in use, it’s not surprising to hear the sound of running water. If nothing is running however, and you still hearing running water, there’s a good chance you have a leaking pipe somewhere.

How Requesting a Leak Detection Can Help You 

Detecting a problem early is what ultimately prevents issues like flooding, busted pipes, and mold from happening. The problem is detecting a leak if there is one. Since most of your pipes are located inside your walls and underneath your house, it’s best to let the professionals do a leak detection for you. Besides preventing some serious water damage, here’s three reasons why requesting a leak detection can help you.

• You save money. A leak detection does more than just prevent floods, mold, and busted pipes, it saves you money. Leaking pipes are your wallet’s worst nightmare, as your utility company will charge for the all the wasted water leaking out of your pipes. The cost of cleaning out a flooded basement or repairing busted pipes is no price to overlook, as it can cost up to $10,000.
• You don’t have to destroy your house. Most of your pipes are hidden which makes it impossible to detect the leaks yourself without ripping out floorboards and drywall. Luckily with a licensed plumber doing the leak detection for you, you don’t have to, and neither do they. With the right equipment, designed to detect leaks, they don’t have to touch neither your floors nor walls to find the leak.
• It’s precise. Having a licensed plumber do a leak detection for you not only means that they’ll find any potential leaks inside your house, but the direct source of that leak, instead of just a general area. Finding the exact location of a leak means less work is involved in repairing the leak, which costs you less and usually avoids the need for an entire repiping.

The Earlier You Act, The Better

Leaking pipes happen, but there is a lot you can do to mitigate the damage from a leaking pipe. It might be tempting to identify and try to fix the problem yourself, but unless you’re a licensed plumber, you’re better off letting a professional perform a plumbing service like leak detection for you. Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you suspect one of your pipes are leaking, call a plumber right away to avoid a plumbing emergency, after all, no one wants to deal with a flooded basement!

Call Lake Cook Plumbing Service, Inc. today for more information on leak detection!

By zachadmachinescom