How Pros Find Hidden Leaks Fast
One of the most common calls we get in our 39 years of business is panicking
homeowners finding a mysterious wet spot on the ceiling, wall, or floor. If this happens
to you, refer to our article on what to do before an emergency plumber arrives.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the common signs you may have a hidden leak and
what professional plumbers do to find and repair the leak hidden in your floors or walls
with minimal disruption.
Acoustic leak detection
When a water leak is behind a wall or in the floor, acoustic listening devices can be
used to trace the source of the water leak without cutting exploratory holes. Precision
microphones and amplifiers are used to listen to the sound of water escaping pipes. Our
certified plumbers will place the microphone at suspected points of failure and move the
microphone closer until the noise intensive and pitch changes. With this method, we can
zero-in on the source of the leak with minimal destruction to your home.
Thermal imaging leak detection
Thermal imaging equipment can be used to scan the floors or through walls to fine leaks
by analyzing temperature differences in an area. Cold or hotspots emanating from an
area behind a wall may be signs of a hot water or cold-water supply line leaking,
creating a temperature difference around the surrounding material. This is a great way
to find a leak if acoustic leak detection is inadequate due to background noises.
Video drain camera inspections
This is a surefire method to find a break in your sewer line in your home. Oftentimes,
shifting earth, tree roots, or an old sewer line may become clogged, broken, or
obstructed by debris will cause a backup in multiple fixtures in your home. Slow draining
or backups in your toilet, kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks and showers may be an
indication that your sewer line is damaged or clogged.
A video drain camera is a high-definition camera, that is able to insert hundreds of feet
into the sewer line buried deep in your home’s lawn. This allows our technicians to
locate and see the cause of the blockage or break in the line. With thi s method, we are
able determine if a simple drain clearing is needed such as a hydro flush, or a repair is
needed due to a collapsed section of pipe.
Exploratory holes for leak detection
While thermal imaging and acoustic leak detection may help locate the general location
of the leak, exploration holes are often needed to determine the exact location of the
leak and examine the condition of the pipe. This will allow us to determine the best
course of action to either repair or replace the leaking section. Drywall repairs will often
be needed as access holes will need to be cut into the walls or ceiling in-order to
conduct the repair.
Signs you may have a hidden leak:
With hundreds of feet of water piping hidden inside your home’s walls, ceiling and floor.
A leak may not be obvious until a wet spot starts emerging. By that time, water damage
has already taken place and it’s critical to shut off the water supply immediately and call
a professional plumber. Here are some signs you may have a hidden water leak in your
home:
Wet walls or stained ceilings that do not dry out
Musty smells, bubbling paint, or visible mold at baseboards
Warm or cold spots on floors or walls
A water meter that moves when all fixtures are off
A higher-than-normal water bill without a clear reason
Continuous sound of water even when taps are closed
Patches of greener grass or soggy soil along a buried water line
If your home has Poly-B (polybutylene) piping
Hidden leaks don’t’ fix themselves. If you see wet walls, a ceiling stain that keeps
growing, mold, a higher-than-normal water bill, or pooling water, act now. Our Red Seal
technicians use acoustic listening, thermal imaging, and precise pressure testing to find
and fix hidden leaks fast with minimal disruption.
Call 604 283 2383 or Book Online for same day leak detection in Vancouver, Richmond,
Burnaby, Surrey, and the North Shore. Ashton Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning
has served Metro Vancouver for more than 38 years and there are no overtime charges
in the evening.