Locating Your Plumbing Leaks In Phoenix
Plumbing leaks in Phoenix aren’t always located where the water pools or floods your home. Many leaks will travel down a pipe and pool at a lower elevation. Since the plumbing system is a large network of pipes, the actual source of the leak can be far away from where you think it is located.
Leak detection is important to find the location of the leak so it can be repaired. You also need to know how much of the pipe needs to be replaced. The leak could be at a pipe joint or a whole section could be cracked. Fixtures can cause leaks that travel to other areas of the home as well.
Are the pipes leaking under the slab? Is there a broken connection behind the shower fixture? Is the leak coming from the toilet? Are the walls or ceiling stained?
Since leaks are hard to find at times, professionals like those at Now Plumbing in Phoenix, AZ use special tools for leak location. You may have a freshwater leak or a sewer leak, but either way, they can’t hide from their professional Phoenix plumbers.
Other than professional leak location service, there are some ways you can detect and locate the general cause of a leak.
Leaks From Underneath The Toilet?
If there is water pooling underneath the toilet, it is likely from a crack in the toilet. The crack can be around the outside of the tank or bowl or inside the tank.
Soggy Landscape?
If you have a soggy landscape in a certain area that should be as dry as the rest of the lawn, you have a plumbing leak. The leak could be coming from fresh water lines or the sewer lines. If it’s in your back yard and you’re on a septic tank, it’s probably from your septic lines.
If it’s in the front yard, check your water meter after shutting off all the water faucets in the house. Make sure no one flushes the toilet or uses water. If the water meter is still turning, it’s definitely a fresh water leak.
Leaks Under Kitchen Or Bathroom Sinks
Under the sink leaks often aren’t detected until the owner notices a mold or mildew smell. Unless you use the cabinets regularly, you could have a leak that slowly drips onto the bottom of the cabinet or along the wall under the cabinet. Be sure to check your cabinetry for any signs of mold or mildew. You can also get a paper towel and dab all along the plumbing pipes to see if the towel gets wet. Also check your washing machine hookups.
Fresh Water Line Plumbing Leaks vs. Drain Line Leaks
One way to tell the difference between a drain line leak and fresh water leak is by the smell. If there are foul odors coming from the water or soaked area, it’s likely a sewer line leak. Remember, mildew and mold can smell bad too, but it’s nothing like a sewer leak. Another difference is the type of stain the leak leaves. If the area is constantly wet, it’s likely a fresh water leak. If it’s intermittently wet, it’s likely a drain line leak.