We know leaks are a major inconvenience in your routine and life. Properties can suffer great damage as a result of water leaks, especially if they come from underground. This leakage can result in ground flooding, flooding in lower levels, damage to building structures, and weak foundations. Since some leaks aren’t visible, it can be tough to determine whether you even have a leak.
These are one of the most common types of water leaks in Adelaide. This can be caused because of deterioration or corrosion.
Gas pipes don’t last forever. Eventually they will deteriorate and eventually warp, bend and break. If you are experiencing a gas pipe leak, you need to immediately turn off the gas line and leave your residence or place of business. Call a plumber right now.
Outside: If you puddles of sewage & waste in your yard, then you have a broken sewage line. Eventually you will notice landscape growth in patches depending on the leakage source. You may also need sewage repair.
Inside: A sewage line leak in a house is usually accompanied by uncommon sounds, moist floors and “sewage” smells.
The worst kinds! Hidden leaks can be the most annoying, because it makes it very difficult to diagnose and assess the extent of damage. Read on to learn about how we can easily detect even the most secret leaks!
Slab leaks are most often caused by unstable soil. This is because homes are typically built on concrete slabs and these can crack or break from the pressure of the ground shifting.
If you notice your water bill is suddenly increasing at an abnormally high rate, it could indicate faulty readings or a leakage. This leakage would obviously cause excess water usage that you would be charged for.
Pay close attention to your walls, floors & ceiling. These are the first places to show damp or wet spots from leakage.
Not only is mould growth a serious health hazard, but it can also spread. The wider it spreads, the more of the residential or commercial structure that might have to be replaced. Mould can grow in an environment that is created by either an unattended or unnoticed water leak. Mould can harm people who already have respiratory problems like asthma, but at its peak, prolonged exposure to mould can pose a major health risk to anyone.
These microorganisms will contaminate drinking water if they get through a conduit. A leak detection service gives you time to make any essential repairs before mildew and mould spread and contaminate the water passing through the pipe. Even living in a house with mould can cause rashes, sinus infections, respiratory infections, nausea, lung irritation, and persistent exhaustion. Therefore, it’s safe to say that it is much worse when you are directly exposed to it or maybe even drinking it.
If you notice a sudden drop in water pressure when using sinks, showers, toilets and other fixtures, this may indicate a leakage. Do not just ignore this sign, it can become more serious if left untreated.
A leakage will be followed by noises! Pay attention to abnormal sounds from your pipes.
This method is the easiest way to tell if you have a leakage. If you have all the water off in your home or business, but you can still see the water meter moving then you probably have a leak.
If your pipes have been in use for a long time (50-100 years), then eventually they will begin to deteriorate. PVC pipes last around 45 years, although new technological breakthroughs have pushed their age into 70+ year territory. Cast iron pipes last between 80-100 years.
Sometimes construction companies cut corners, or they do not take into consideration long-term factors when installing plumbing systems. This can cause later failure. However, early problems are easy to detect if you are doing regular maintenance and inspections.
This can include, but not limited to: tree roots, axes, drills and nearby construction.
Some leaks may be caused by outside factors, like soil movement or tree root intrusion.
Eventually pipes get old, and last between 50-100 years on average. They will eventually need to be fully replaced.
Low temperatures can cause serious damage to pipes, especially if the water is not constantly flowing.
Even slight ground movement or shifting can cause pipes to leak, and eventually break completely!
Clogging or full-on blockages can cause extensive backflow or pressure on pipes.
This is caused by your faucets or appliances not being properly sealed or connected to pipes.
Most of the time you will be able to see the leak. The most common signs are walls, ceilings and the ground outside.
Although very effective, it can be disruptive and may require the temporary shutdown of your plumbing system.
An electric leak detector is a device that can detect different frequencies of sound that will indicate a leak. A skilled plumber knows how to interpret these sounds to help figure out the location of the leak. This equipment is most commonly used to locate leakage in toilets, drains, steam pipes, irrigation, and other plumbing systems.
An infrared camera is a device that can detect leaks in concealed pipes, such as those inside wall or under floor tiles. This camera is able to detect temperatures in structures like walls and then use thermographic images to show us exactly where the leak is.
Some water meters have a built-in leak indicator that will signal if there is an issue. Depending on the meter itself, the indicator is usually a small triangle dial or a silver wheel that rotates when water is moving.
Gas tracing is a convenient way to finding water leaks without being destructive. Gas is injected into the piping system and a device is used to locate where the gas escapes from.
Ultrasonic leak detection equipment uses high-frequency pitched sound produced by pressurized gas. This gas will escape and allow an easier way to detect the leak source. Sometimes compressed air can also be used. This method causes minimal disruption to regular plumbing systems.
Some leak detection methods may be more effective in certain types of pipes, such as plastic or copper.
Make sure you are doing regular maintenance and inspections of your plumbing system. This can help save costs in the long-run, conserve water, and prevent property damage.
Royal Flush has years of experience and has done countless jobs. Our Adelaide plumber knows how to diagnose and assess common and uncommon leak problems. We use special equipment to help us help you as quickly as possible. Nobody wants to experience a water leak, and we can all agree the sooner it’s fixed, the better. Another benefit with Royal Flush is sometimes leaks can be very hard to find, and you need high-end equipment to save money during detection. And in the worse case-scenario, we can set-up a demolition job if the problem requires that solution (very rare).
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