Leak Detection Deer Park, TX

It goes without saying that a lot can go wrong with your home when you are a homeowner. Owning a home comes with a lot of pride and excitement, but it also comes with a lot of stress and frustration. There always seems to be something wrong that needs to be fixed. One of the most difficult projects a homeowner can encounter is leak detection. Finding out that you have water leaking somewhere in your home is not fun. There could be a lot of unseen damage to your drywall, insulation, cabinets, flooring and other materials. Even the most minor of leaks in your home can wind up causing thousands of dollars in damage. That’s why it’s important to meet with an experienced plumber from the team of Heaton Plumbing Inc. when you suspect there is a leak in your home. Our team has been providing quality, trusted and reputable leak detection in Deer Park, TX since 1985.

How are Plumbing Leaks Located?

The most obvious leaks are easy to find. Why? Because water can be seen coming from the base of the toilet, from the bottom of the dishwasher or under the kitchen sink when you reach into the cabinet to grab a trash bag. But, there are other leaks that homes can experience that are quite difficult to find with the naked eye. These leaks can lead to a lot of damage if they are not found in a short period. The damage caused could reach well into the thousands of dollars depending on how long the water has been leaking. Let’s look at how plumbing leaks can be located using three common methods: electronic, infrared and old school.

Electronic Leak Detection

Electronic leak detection is done using a system that listens for sounds. Plumbers say that every leak makes some sort of sound. It might not be audible at all times to the human ear, but it can be heard. An electronic leak detection system will be able to listen for sounds inside the pipes of your home. When a sound is heard, which is indicative of a leak, the system will sound an alarm. The system can detect leaks in the water system, toilets, sinks, tubs and other pipes of your home.

Infrared Leak Detection

The next method for leak detection in Deer Park, TX is that of infrared technology. Plumbers are using infrared cameras to detect leaks in both residential and commercial properties. You can use the camera that has been set to the proper temperature, to scan an entire room for possible leaks. Simply turn the camera on, set the temperature, and move the camera back and forth over the walls of the room. Scan the ceiling last. If the camera finds a leak you should focus on it the area and look at the image it produces.

“Old School” Leak Detection

What is the old school method of leak detection? The old school method is simply using your eyes and other senses to spot the signs of a possible leak. For example, check your walls and cabinets for brown water stains. Touch the drywall to find out of it is damp or soft. Check around the base of the toilet for water. Go down the basement and be on the lookout for a musty smell. If there is mold present in any room other than the bathroom shower, you likely have a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. The best old school detection method is to listen for running water when no appliance is active and no spigots are on at the time. Although these investigative methods can sometimes be effective, with advancements in technology and new testing methods, they are not the best way to perform accurate leak detection in Deer Park.

What is a Slab Leak?

A leak in a slab is more common than many homeowners might think. First off, let’s explain what a slab is so you have a strong understanding of how it can leak. A slab is a flat piece of concrete that is found in an unfinished basement or in a garage. It is the bottom layer of flooring on top of the ground. If you have finished your basement, you will have carpet or some other type of flooring installed on top of the slab. Most garage slabs are left uncovered.

When there is a slab leak present in your home there is water seeping up through the concrete of the basement, the garage or the addition on your home. Water most often seeps up through holes or cracks in the concrete that have developed due to the house settling, an earthquake, damage to the floor or improper installation.

If you discover puddles of water, even small puddles, on your concrete slab you need to contact an experienced plumber. The source of the leak might not be easy to find and a plumber will be able to trace the water back to where it originated.

How Do Slab Leaks Occur?

The most common cause of slab leaks in Deer Park, TX is the presence of clay underneath the slab. When there’s too much clay it can cause the concrete to shift in placement and eventually develop cracks. These cracks will allow water to seep through them and puddle on top of the concrete.

Some of the other causes of slab leaks include poor installation of the concrete, a pipe running through or under the concrete, an earthquake or a stream that runs under the concrete. All of these causes can be considered by a plumber who can then make the appropriate repairs.

How are Slab Leaks Detected?

You could be dealing with a serious issue if there is a slab leak present your home. If the leak is serious enough it can cause severe damage such as a foundation shift resulting in $1,000’s of dollars of work to repair. Should you discover the leak in its infancy, a plumber might be able to make simple repairs to fix the issue. Below are some of the common signs and detection methods for slab leaks.

• Finding water puddles on the concrete
• Finding damp spots on concrete
• Presence of soft spots in the ground around your home
• An increase in your water bill that cannot be explained
• Low water pressure
• Water can be heard running through the pipes when nothing is in use
• Concrete slab has visible cracks
• Flooring is removed and mold is present
• High readings on the water meter

If you are concerned that your home may have fallen victim to a hidden plumbing leak and would like to schedule a slab leak detection in Deer Park, we are here to help!

Contact an Experienced Plumber Today

If you find a leak located anywhere in your home or garage you need to deal with it immediately by calling a trusted, experienced and reliable plumber in Deer Park, TX. Call the team at Heaton Plumbing Inc. today at 281-645-5039 to schedule an your plumbing leak detection in Deer Park. We are standing by ready to serve you.