The Importance of Foundation Leak Detection
A foundation leak is something that can threaten the entire home. It is extremely important to have the home checked the moment one suspects a foundation leak. Of course, knowing the warning signs of a foundation leak is necessary before calling a professional to come and take a look.
Usually, foundation leaks occur during the rainy season or after a severe storm. It can also occur when suffering from a large clog or multiple clogs in the plumbing system. A foundation leak can get expensive rather quickly if one avoids hiring a professional as soon as possible. It can waste hundreds of gallons of water, and therefore thousands of dollars. Once there, they will perform a foundation leak detection to ensure there is a leak and try to locate it.
Continue reading to learn more about foundation leak detection and how it works.
Detecting a Foundation Leak Under Concrete
A foundation leak under a concrete slab can be hard to locate, let alone repair. It is crucial to the home's safety and the health of the plumbing system to have only a skilled and experienced plumbing professional try to detect and fix a foundation leak in the home.
Before a plumber can fix the slab leak, though, they must first locate the leak. This can be done in a few different ways, all of which do not require direct access via a trench.
Some common detection equipment includes:
- Pipe inspection cameras: A camera is placed into the plumbing system and records the condition of the pipes from the inside.
- Acoustic disc and ground microphones: They can hear sounds through thick concrete. The water leak creates a very distinct sound that is picked up via the disc and microphones.
- Pressure sensors: Scans for change in temperature and pressure within the foundation to locate the spot the leak is coming from
Once the leak or leaks are located, the plumber can then get to work to decide which method of repairing the leak is the most efficient.
Common Foundation Leak Detection Tools
Aside from the equipment used to locate the leak within the pipe, there are other tools involved in foundation leak detection. Every skilled and trained professional plumber will always arrive with the tools necessary to get the job done right the first time.
Some of these tools include:
- Electromagnetic pipeline locators: Before the plumber can search the pipes, he must effectively locate the pipes underneath the foundation. This tool works as a radio to better locate the pipes, and it works best for non-metallic pipes. It's also a great way to find irregularities in the piping system.
- Gas tracer systems: These systems are useful when the sensors pick up too much noise in the pipes to locate the leak effectively. It uses specially designed probes to bypass the noise and locate the leak.
A prepared and professional plumber will also come equipped with all of the necessary basic plumbing tools. This ensures that any unforeseen problems are easily solved without excess trips.
The Importance of Detection and Repair
Foundation leaks are a serious plumbing event that occurs in homes. If it is left untreated or unnoticed, the damages will quickly rack up in costs.
The leak can cause the soil underneath the foundation to slip away, causing the foundation to slip or crack, leading to all kinds of problems in the home:
- Flooding
- Mold growth
- Roof alignment damage
- Weakens the overall structure of the home
Moisture can also find its way into the cracks of the foundation. In a nutshell, foundation leaks quickly lead to structural damage to the home, which significantly drops its property value. It can even cause damages that are irreversible in some instances. That's why calling a professional is crucial.
Colonial Plumbing & Heating Co. Works Hard for You
Leave the guessing at the door! With the experts at Colonial Plumbing & Heating Co., the job will be done right the first time. They are prompt, providing same day service, and reliable. Not to mention their competitive pricing is unmatched. Call today to schedule an appointment!
