How to Tell If You’ve Got a Leak Inside or Outside Your Home

by | Oct 13, 2021

You’ll probably notice a problem like a burst pipe or a sewer backup reasonably quickly, but what about more minor leaks? Your plumbing can develop small leaks over time, and they could go for years without being detected, causing damage all the while. In this case, you’ll need reliable leak detection services to get to the bottom of the problem.

What a Water Leak Can Do to Your Home

Water leak detection is important because even minor leaks can cause significant water damage over time. The damage often happens behind the scenes, inside your walls and floors, slowly eating away at the structural integrity of your home.

This issue can be even worse when it’s your sewer lines leaking instead of your freshwater supply. You could find your home rapidly declining into unsanitary conditions, only realizing once it’s too late.

For very minor leaks, mold is going to be the primary concern. The additional moisture in the dark environment of your walls and floors will quickly lead to mold growth, and the spores can make their way into your air. This presents a health concern for everyone present, especially anyone with breathing conditions like asthma or allergies.

Leaks can also lead to structural damage to your home. Most homes are made primarily from wood, which can rot if allowed to stay wet for extended periods. By the time you realize what’s happened, you could need much more extensive repairs than simply replacing a damaged section of pipe.

Signs That You Have a Water Leak

There are some signs to watch out for to notice that you might have a water leak. If you notice any of these signs, your best bet is to call in professionals for leak detection. They’ll be able to identify the source of the leak, a crucial step in carrying out repairs.

The first thing to watch for is a sudden spike in your water bills. If your bill is higher than you expected, it could very well be due to a leak. Leaks can be small but running 24/7 means they’ll add up quickly.

Visible mold on your ceilings, floors, or walls is another indicator, as is the musty smell of unseen mold. Water stains on ceilings, warped flooring, or peeling paint or wallpaper are also common results of unseen water leaks. The problem isn’t going to go away on its own, so reach out for professional help right away.

Watch Out for Slab Leaks

Slab leaks present a unique threat to your home. This type of leak is when your pipes break or crack within the foundation. This means you’ll have water running underneath the foundation, eroding the earth below and potentially causing holes that can damage your foundation.

A high water bill will be the best way to catch slab leaks before it’s too late because you won’t notice issues like mold or water spots. If the problem has become serious enough, you might notice new cracks on the walls or ceiling due to the shifting of the foundation. Slab leak detection is essential because these leaks can quickly cause significant damage to your home.

The Dangers of Sewer Gas Leaks

If your sewer lines develop a leak, you could find yourself dealing with a sewer gas leak. This is when sewer gas manages to enter your home, bringing a foul smell with it. There is a bigger concern when handling sewer gas leak detection because sewer gas can contain large amounts of methane, which is flammable and highly dangerous.

How the Professionals Handle Leak Detection

Plumbers use a variety of techniques to actually find the leaks in your home so they can be repaired. They can use thermal imaging, a type of infrared camera that will show temperature changes. Moisture inside your walls will result in a cooler area, potentially showing where the leak is.

Another technique is gas filling, where a safe gas is pumped into a pipe, and a sensor determines if it’s escaping through a leak anywhere. A geophone can also be used, particularly for slab leaks. It’s like a special stethoscope that amplifies the sound of running water, pinpointing the location of the leak.

Indiana Leak Detection Professional Services

If you believe you might have a leak of any kind, Indiana Leak Detection can quickly get to the bottom of it. We use the latest tools and techniques to find leaks faster and help you find yours before it’s too late.

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