No two leaks in a property are the same. While some leaks are obvious (for example, a leaking pipe can be difficult to ignore when there's water gushing out), others are not - and many can go undetected for long periods of time. Not only can undetected water leaks cause extensive damage to your home over time, but they can also rack up your water bill and cost you lots of money over. Leaks can also affect building materials and lead to the development of mildew and mould.
You may be surprised to find that many leaks go undetected because they occur in places that are out of sight. If you don't inspect your water bill regularly or have a professional inspect your home for water leaks, you could be wasting hundreds of pounds a year on leaks. The smallest pinhole leak can destroy an entire drywall and lead to a myriad of other issues, which is why it's important to to keep on top of any leaks in your property.
Below, we take a look at how plumbers detect water leaks, including what tools and techniques they use. For plumbing leaks, it's important to hire a professional and experienced plumber who has the correct equipment to locate leaks. Plumbers have leak detection equipment that can quickly and accurately detect the source of leaks.
Finding the source of a leak
Before any specialist equipment is used, a plumber will take a walk around your home to check for any signs of a possible leak. This includes inspecting fixtures, taking a look under all of the sinks in your home and checking irrigation and pool systems. The water meter will usually be checked too, to give the plumber an idea of how much water is being used.
Video inspection equipment
For the most precise leak detection, plumbers use video pipe inspection equipment. These are small cameras mounted on long flexible fiber optic cables. Plumbers can insert these in faucets and other plumbing outlets to detect leaks.
The camera relays images back to a monitor where the plumber can see the condition of the inside of the pipe. This allows them to locate the source of leaks that may be difficult to see from the outside, and provides them with any additional information they need to repair the leak.
Listening discs
Listening discs and ground microphones are some of the most basic tools that can be used by a plumber to detect and pinpoint water leaks. Listening discs are pieces of equipment that help plumbers to locate leaks through drywall, cabinets and other furnishings.
Using sound technology, listening discs amplify the sounds of leaking water back through headphones when placed against a surface. A skilled technician will be able to listen for the sound of running water underground as it travels through pipes. This gives the plumber a better idea of where the leak is before attempting to access it. Additionally, deck plates can be used to listen through brick, concrete and other stone surfaces.
Soil probe
Leaks that occur in the sewer line and waste main can be very problematic. These types of leaks often run under lawns and yards. A soil probe allows plumbers to listen for a standard pressure or pressured leaks through grass and rocks. As the equipment gets closer to the leak, the sound gets louder, allowing plumbers to work out where the leak is. Experienced and skilled plumbers will be able to differentiate between the different sounds they hear to identify the type of leak, how deep it is and the best way to access it and repair it.
Thermal imaging cameras
Thermal imaging cameras, or 'heat scanners', can be used to help find hidden leaks in hot water pipes under floorboards, concrete and behind walls. Thermography cameras can help identify problem areas that the naked eye cannot detect, revealing hidden water leaks that are otherwise out of sight. Thermography is the term used to describe infrared imaging and measurement cameras to 'see' and 'measure' thermal energy emitted from an object.
Thermal imaging can be used to detect moisture in ceilings, flat roofs, behind walls and under floors. Using thermal imaging cameras is an effective way to look at large areas quickly, and causes minimum disruption and no damage to your property. Infrared inspection cameras can not only detect hidden water leaks and their origin, but they can also detect moisture that cannot be physically reached with moisture meters.
Why are water leak detectors so important?
There are many reasons why getting in touch with water leak specialists and detecting leaks around your property is so important. Remember, leaks can't be fixed if they can't be found, which is why you should have an experienced and skilled plumber on hand.
Reduce the cost of water bills
Undetected leaks could be costing you hundreds of pounds a year. It's important to make sure that the water you pay for is not being wasted. When you hire a professional to inspect your property for water leaks, you can save lots of money in the long run and ensure that no water is being wasted.
Ensure your water is safe
Your water supply should be safe for your family members and employees to use. If your water supply pipes are leaking, you could be putting people at risk as there may be contaminants getting into the water that people are drinking or using. If there's a leak in your wastewater pipe, this could be contaminating your whole property. Hiring a professional to detect leaks for you will help give you peace of mind.
Prevent damage
Water leaks can do more than just waste water and cost you lots of money in water bills. If a leak in the ground is left undetected for a long period of time, it can cause significant damage to the foundation of a building by increasing moisture levels within the structure and encourage the growth of mould and other infestations. These issues are expensive to resolve and can cause extensive damage. Investing in water leak detection can help to reduce the possibility of any of the above disasters occurring.
Ensure your water supply is reliable
Finally, one of the most important reasons to carry out water leak detection is to ensure a reliable water supply. Many businesses across the country rely on having a reliable and constant supply of water for them to carry out their daily operations. Water detection is extremely important for businesses who rely on a constant water supply.
Leak Tracers Direct: leak detection specialists and water leak repairs in London
To minimise the damage caused to your home or business building, it's important to get in touch with a trusted leak detection specialist. If you're based in London or the surrounding areas and are looking for water leak repair near you, we at Leak Tracers Direct can help. Our team of professional leak detection engineers are the go-to company in the local area. We always put customer safety and satisfaction first, and go above and beyond to resolve the issue.
We understand just how frustrating it can be to deal with a leak, which is why we always strive to take care of the issue at hand quickly and efficiently from start to finish. We can even submit an insurance claim on your behalf, ensuring you can sit back and relax and get back to normal as soon as possible.
If you’d like to discuss your situation or understand your options, our team can provide clear guidance. Call us now.