Powder Springs Leak Detection

There's a lot more to water line leaks than you may think. At Atlantis Plumbing, we have solved thousands of water line leak problems. Call Today for a Leak Detection Specialist and a Free Estimate of your water line repair.

Understanding Water Line Leaks And Why You Need a Powder Springs Leak Detection Expert

A plumbing leak of any kind can become an immense problem for home and business owners. The good news is that, with a little knowledge, you can make informed decisions about plumbing leaks. One of the worst types of leaks you can deal with is a water line leak. But those are not the only types.

How to Tell if You Have a Leak

There are many types of plumbing leaks, and they are rarely obvious. You will start to see signs of leaks though if you pay attention.

Obvious Signs - Obvious signs of leaks include actual water dripping, signs of moisture, water damage, and even the sound of water dripping when there is no obvious source. Visual confirmation of damaged piping does not always occur, but sometimes it does. You may also notice musty smells or see signs of mildew and mold.

Indirect Signs - Indirect signs of water leaks include higher water bills month after month. Signs can also include damaged walls, floors, and ceilings.

Other Signs - You may notice water building up somewhere on the property or coming in through the foundation to create basement puddles. Irregular or lessened water pressure can also indicate a leak.

There are many signs, but they are not always immediately noticeable. In some cases, it can take weeks or even months before a problem becomes apparent.

Types of Plumbing Leaks

Your plumbing system is a complex series of interworking and interconnecting pipes and fixtures. Wherever there is water, there is a possibility for a leak. The most common types of plumbing leaks include the following:

Fixture Leaks - These are the leaks that occur from fixtures such as faucet and tub handles. These also include the supply lines and associated fixtures beneath your toilets and sinks. These kinds of leaks represent the most common, and usually, most easily fixed types.

Toilet Leaks - These leaks occur somewhere in your toilet tank. Slightly worse toilet leaks occur with the toilet line itself or a cracked toiled bowl. A cracked toilet tank can certainly lead to a flooded bathroom or home. Toilet leaks are also relatively common, and fixes are usually easy.

Appliance Leaks - Any appliance that uses a water line is also prone to possible leaks. This can include washer machines, house humidifiers, evaporative coolers, dishwashers, and various other appliances. You must address these leaks on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes it is your actually plumbing, but a leak can also come from a problem with the appliance itself.

In addition, if you have pools, fountains, or other water features, these two can spring a leak. Much like with appliances, you must treat these leaks on an individual basis. All of these types of leaks can lead to further leaking. That means the root problem is not always apparent from the leaks themselves.

For example, a foundation leak can indicate you have any of a number of problems. Foundation leaks are tricky though, because they often have more to do with outside water seeping in rather than with your water line or plumbing system. But that is not always the case.

These are the most common of the leaks you may have to face. However, there are some leaks that are a lot more serious. These types of leaks are water supply line leaks. They come in different forms.

Types of Water Line Leaks

Your water line carries water back and forth from the city main or a well. A leak can develop at any point along that line. In all cases, these water line leaks can turn into very serious problems if they are not detected and dealt with.

Pinhole Leaks – When small tiny "pinholes" develop in a pipe, water starts to escape from those holes. This type of leak can turn into a larger problem if the holes are not found and patched. Typically, it is a pinhole leak if it occurs above the "slab," or in accessible places such as walls and crawlspaces.

Slab Leaks – When a pinhole leak, or any kind of water line leak, occurs below the concrete or "slab," it is referred to as a slab leak. These types of leaks can give you the most problems. They are hard to detect, and you may not even know you have a slab leak until the problem escalates.

Slab leaks require location, and then access to the proper section of pipe below the concrete. This must all occur before a professional can offer a possible solution to the issue.

What Causes Water Line Leaks?

No matter the type of water line leak, there are various ways they can occur. Generally, any type of thing that can damage your water line can lead to a leak. This includes things like

Normal Wear and Tear – Your sewer lines were never meant to last forever. They are prone to wear and tear over the years. That means they can start leaking just because they are old. All materials corrode or fall victim to damage. This is important to keep in mind if you have an old home or you inherit a commercial business.

Changes in Temperature – Hot and cold cycles add a lot of strain to pipes. These fluctuations can occur from weather as well as from your own water use. They can lead to pipes bursting or cracking, which will lead to leaks. When the soil becomes too hot, it can cause lines to shift, which again can cause cracks.

Previous Repairs and Shoddy Workmanship – The more you repair a length of pipe, the easier it is to start leaking again. This can also occur if you hire non-professionals and they do not do a thorough job with the repair.

The Type of Piping Makes a Difference

Another thing to consider when it comes to water line leaks are the type of pipes involved. Pipes can consist of the following:

• Brass – At least a 40 to 70 year lifespan
• Copper – At least a 50 year lifespan
• Steel – At least a 20 to 50 year lifespan
• Iron – At least a 70 to 100 year lifespan
• PVC – Can last indefinitely

PVC and iron lasts longest, but it is not typically what your main, pressurized lines consist of. No matter the life span, these materials can last for a good long while, especially if they are taken care of. These materials do have lifespans, so it is important to know how old your pipes are as well as what kind of material they are made of.

There are two types of pipes that you have to look out for. Pipes that contain lead and polybutylene are highly dangerous and you need to know if you have pipes that contain them.

The dangers of lead pipes are well documented. If you have an older home or building, you should immediately have your water tested for lead, and your pipes as well. Polybutylene is a different kind of problem.

What You Should Know About Polybutylene

Polybutylene is a plastic. It was used widely as a piping material between the late 1970s and mid-1990s. The problem with polybutylene was that it had a bad reaction with chlorinated water. That chemical reaction caused damage to the pipes from the inside out. That means that even though the pipes looked fine, they were deteriorating from within.

These types of pipes are prone to early damage, and frequent leaks. There are still millions of homes in the US that have polybutylene piping. This is especially true of warmer southern states such as Georgia.

Understand that southern climes tend to chlorinate water more often to keep bacteria at bay. After a class action lawsuit, polybutylene fell out of favor. There are still tons of piping in homes in the south.

What You Can Do About Leaks

You may be tempted to fix a small, obvious leaks yourself. You can call a professional, but some faucet leaks have very simple solutions. When it comes to a water line leak however, you need professionals. Not just professionals, but those with a particular background in detecting and repairing leaks. At Atlantis Plumbing, we have repaired thousands of water line leaks. You can say we are the areas experts when it comes to leak detection and water line repairs.

Leak detection allows plumbers to find the likely source of a leak without the need to dig up a large chunk of property. This can save you a lot of money in unnecessary work just to find a leak.

From there, the plumber can let you know if a repair or a replacement is ideal for the problem. Of course, the repair itself also requires expertise. As stated previously, one of the main causes of a leak can come from unprofessional work and repairs.

A few Words About Sewer Lines - It is of the utmost importance that you order an inspection of your sewer lines that can include leak detection. With a sewer camera inspection, we can let you know everything you need to know about your sewer system, from the types of pipes you have to their age. We can also see if there are problems looming like roots or other potential problems. No matter what the plumbing issue may be, you can always count on us for a FREE estimate and a clear up front price on any work that needs to be done. Join the over 50,000 satisfied customers and call us today!.