Water leaks cause water damage, mold growth, and a range of other structural problems. Therefore, many homeowners understand the importance of calling a plumbing company when wear and tear of their plumbing system causes obvious or hidden leaks.
Repair work for visible leaks is usually straightforward. The plumber can see the leak area and can, therefore, decide quickly on the best course of action. How about hidden leaks, though? How does a plumber find a water leak underground?
MVP Plumbing, the top-rated plumbers in Havertown, PA, covers the details in this post.
How Plumbers Detect Water Leaks Underground
Plumbers can detect water leaks in diverse ways, including the following:
Visual Inspections
When you call a plumbing professional for a hidden leak in your water supply line, they will first scan the property for telltale signs of an underground leak. Some of the things they’ll look out for include:
- Damp patches on walls and around slabs
- Unexplained water puddles
- A section of abnormally leafy or lush vegetation
- Mold growth
Depending on the type of leak, experienced plumbers can narrow down the leak site via a visual inspection.
Pressure Testing
Pressure testing is highly effective in the underground leak detection process. Plumbers isolate sections of the plumbing system and then pressurize them to a certain level. Next, they’ll monitor for drops in pressure over a specific period to find out where water might be escaping from.
Pressure testing also helps to determine the severity of the underground leak. The speed of the drop will tell the plumber the speed of the water loss.
Use of Leak Detection Equipment
Qualified plumbers can use diverse specialized leak detection equipment to find underground leaks and also work out the exact location of the leak along your plumbing lines. If you wonder, “How does a plumber find a water leak underground?” it’s almost always with one of these devices.
Some of these tools include the following:
Electronic Leak Detection Devices
These devices consist of probes that plumbers bury underground in different areas of the property. The probes will return readings that the plumber will evaluate to confirm the presence and possible location of a leak.
Acoustic Leak Detection Equipment
Plumbers use acoustic leak detection devices to check for the sound of water escaping from underground pipes.
These devices act as sensors and specialized microphones capable of picking up the sound of water leaks through concrete or soil. Experienced plumbers can also pinpoint the location of the leaks by analyzing the acoustic signals generated.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Ground penetrating radar equipment transmits pulses into the ground and then records the reflections to provide a clear picture of the underground structure.
Experienced plumbers interpret the data generated to confirm any anomalies that might indicate a leak.
Thermal Imaging Cameras
Plumbers use thermal imaging cameras to find temperature variations in the ground caused by water leaks. These cameras produce infrared images of the affected area. The areas with different temperature readings will show up as easily detectable patches on the device screen.
Thermal imaging cameras are highly useful for finding water leaks in inaccessible areas and in buried pipes.
Trace Gas Leak Detectors
To use these detectors, plumbers first inject a safe, non-toxic gas into the water pipes. The gas will escape from the leak spot and rise to the surface. Plumbers use the gas leak detectors to find where the gas emerged from. That part of the plumbing usually identifies the leak location.
Leak Noise Correlation Systems
These devices measure the micro-vibrations caused by a leak. The built-in algorithms analyze the data generated to give the plumber an accurate location of the leak.
Excavation
This last-resort option occurs when other leak detection methods don’t work. Experienced plumbers try to avoid any excavations, especially when they are still looking for the leak source. However, it may be necessary in some cases.
After the plumber has found the leak source, they will devise the most cost-effective plan for fixing it.
Trust the Leading Plumbing Contractors in Havertown, PA, To Tackle Your Underground Plumbing Leak
Finding underground water leaks and repairing them is vital for preventing water wastage and structural damage. How does a plumber find a water leak underground? By combining different leak detection approaches for pinpoint accuracy.
At MVP Plumbing, our experienced crew can uncover hidden leaks wherever they may be and plug them permanently. Call our team in Havertown, PA, today at (484) 435-8039 to schedule a consultation or learn if a plumber can fix gas leaks.