If you suspect you have a plumbing leak, there is no time to waste finding it and solving the problem. Plumbing leaks can cause property damage and hike up your water bill. The longer leaks fester, the more water damage they often leave behind, and they cost you more in utility expenses. Some leaks are easy to find, while others can be hidden in recessed portions of your home. Here at Wild West Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we have advanced leak detection equipment, training, and experience to both find and solve the problem.
Signs of a Water Leak
There are some signs of a water leak in your home:
- Mold or musty smell
- Water damage or stains on walls or flooring
- Bubbling or peeling paint or wallpaper
- Soggy soil, flooring or furniture
- Dripping sounds
- Higher than normal water bill
- Water pooling behind an appliance
- Toilet that keeps running
Hidden Places Water Can Leak
Water leaks can occur in places that are really difficult to narrow down, including:
- Sewer lines
- Swimming pools
- Under your slab
- At plumbing fixtures
- Behind walls
- Under floors
- Under insulation
- Between the meter and the house
Blindly tearing through walls or under flooring to find a leak is an expensive proposition. You lose time, building materials, and money when you just tear up your property to find the leak. However, you can’t let the leak persist and cause property damage and wasted money each month on your water bill. Leaks can occur in locations that, if left over time, can cause foundation damage to your home. If the leak is bad enough, you could be fined by the local government for water waste. If you have a sewer leak, you have a dangerous situation that could contaminate your property and even adjoining properties.
Advanced Leak Detection Equipment and Methods
The far more cost-effective leak detection method is to call us, your Kalispell-area leak detection contractor. We employ a variety of advanced leak detection tools and techniques to find the leak non-invasively. Once we have found the leak, we can fix the problem. Using advanced leak detection, we will only have to access where the leak has been pinpointed and repair the problem. Then, we will pressure test the system to ensure the leak and others are fully repaired. Non-invasive leak detection and repair saves you money and mess. It also eliminates any further water damage and excess water losses.
Several advanced leak detection methods are non-invasive. Let’s explore some of these below.
Acoustic Instruments
Listening sticks and acoustic microphones can help narrow down the sound of the water flow. Another acoustic instrument is a soil probe designed to detect sounds of leaks in the soil. Acoustic leak detection methods are best when there is a higher water flow rate. One particularly useful place to use acoustic leak tracing is when a leak is likely incoming from the water meter. These sensitive acoustic microphones amplify sounds. Your plumber will wear a headset while listening for the sound of water leaking from a pipe.
Pressure Testing
We apply pressure with pressure gauges to your plumbing system with all fixtures off. This allows us to monitor your water system for drops in pressure. From this test, we can very accurately tell if you have a leak. We will also use this method to ensure that the repair was the only leak and that there is no other.
Endoscopic Cameras
Endoscopic cameras are also used in medicine and auto repair. They are cameras that allow the plumber to see down a tube into an area to isolate the source of the leak. The plumber watches a monitor that displays a real-time view from a camera at the end of a fiber-optic cable. These are high-resolution cameras with software that aids in the identification of leaks and damage in pipes and connections. The resolution is so precise that tiny leaks can be viewed and isolated. Endoscopic cameras can show pipe connections underneath a bathtub, inside a pipe, underground, and in confined service spaces. Endoscopic cameras allow us to see leaks from damage by roots or corrosion, for example, in a non-invasive manner.
Infrared Thermal Imaging Cameras
Thermal imaging cameras can show surface temperature differentials in real-time. They can even show such temperature differences under surfaces like floorboards and walls. Thermal imaging is used when we need to trace pipes buried in a slab or concrete flooring, search for a leak in radiant flooring, or locate geothermal piping.
Pressurized Gas Tracing
Pressurized gas tracing begins with your plumbing lines being evacuated of water. When all water has been removed from the lines, pressurized gas is forced into your plumbing system. These gases are non-toxic and tend to be either hydrogen or helium. We then use sensitive probes to detect where the gas is being emitted. This is another method of getting us closer to the actual source of the leak.
Electronic Leak Detection
Electronic leak detection uses sensors or probes to detect moisture or conductivity and the presence of water.
All of these methods of leak detection are non-invasive. We have the experience to know which of these methods to utilize in each situation. Often, one method will be used to get a general area of the source. Then, another method is used to narrow down the location. When we have isolated the leak’s source, we only need to remove enough building material to repair the leak. Without this advanced technology, we would have to remove more building materials to find the source of the leak. Selecting a plumbing company specializing in leak detection and using advanced technology saves you money.
Advantages of Using Advanced Leak Detection Services
Advanced leak detection services and technology provide some distinct advantages:
- Non-invasive leak detection
- Cost savings
- Advanced technology
- Experienced leak detection
- Peace of mind problem is solved
Professional Leak Detection Services in Kalispell
When you are looking for professional leak detection services in Kalispell, MT, trust Wild West Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We have the state-of-the-art tools, technology, and experience to find and solve your leak. We are also your local plumbing contractor. You can call us when you need a toilet installed, have problems with your hot water heater, or need drain cleaning. We are also your local HVAC contractor. We provide air conditioning and heating repair, installation, and maintenance services, including heat pumps.
Our plumbers and technicians are here for our community to deliver industry-leading solutions to plumbing issues and HVAC problems. We provide 24/7 emergency plumbing, heating, and AC repairs. We guarantee your full satisfaction every time we come to your home. We will be sure to answer all of your questions and clean up the work area when the job is done.
Identifying leaks can ensure timely repairs and minimize damage. If you need expert leak detection services in Kalispell, MT, call us at Wild West Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We’ll come right out to get to the source of the problem.
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