Leaks are annoying. There’s arguably nothing more frustrating than hearing a constant dripping coming from your bathroom. Besides the annoyance, water leaks pose a risk to your home’s safety and your family’s health, as well as increasing your utility costs and wasting up to 180 gallons of water, especially when they’re hidden from plain sight. Fortunately, many experts, such as Aquaseekers, possess the necessary water leak detection methods to ensure your home is free from leaks.
There are various DIY methods to detect leaks, from assessing water meters to coloring the toilet water; however, these only indicate that you have a leaky pipe somewhere in your home, but not the exact location to address the problem.
Though being on the lookout for leak signs is essential to discover the issue promptly and avoid severe damage, it’s still necessary to contact professional restoration companies to repair the leak source effectively. These experts utilize cutting-edge technology, such as infrared leak detection, which allows them to pinpoint the exact location of the leaky pipe, regardless of its depth, and create comprehensive plans to address it without being overly invasive.
3 state-of-the-art water leak detection methods used by professionals.
From acoustic leak detection to drones, professionals utilize a wide range of tools to locate hidden leaks, from burst pipes to those on your roof that haven’t yet reached the ceiling. Some are more traditional than others, but they are all exceptionally effective in detecting leaks, making the job easier for the experts and saving you time and money.
The tools they will use depend on the location and the size of the area. For example, suppose they’re looking for a leaky pipe inside your walls. In that case, they may use infrared leak detection to identify moist spots that typically indicate leaks, as the accumulated water tends to lower the temperature of the place.
If, on the other hand, they’re looking for leaks in the sewer line, they may use other water leak detection methods, such as video pipe inspections or ground-penetrating radar (GPR).
Some of the most common tools used are:
Acoustic leak detection
This method utilizes advanced sound technology to pinpoint noise leaks within a pressurized system. Professionals place acoustic sensors outside the pipe to isolate the acoustic signal emitted by the leak, allowing them to identify the exact location. This way, acoustic leak detection makes it easier and more efficient to locate small leaks inside your home’s plumbing system.
However, for it to work its best, there needs to be little to no background noise. If there is excessive ambient noise, it may be more effective to use alternative water leak detection methods that rely more on visual cues rather than sound.
Infrared leak detection
Also known as thermal imaging, infrared technology is one of the most popular non-invasive methods in the industry. These cameras detect the subtle temperature changes caused by water, showing it as hot and cold spots and allowing experts to identify the location of the leak by pinpointing cold spots in your walls, floors, and ceilings.
Infrared leak detection is also helpful in determining the extent of moisture damage, enabling comprehensive repairs.
Moisture meter devices
Moisture meter usage is another standard method for leak detection. These devices measure the moisture content in almost any material and provide quick, non-invasive readings to help experts determine whether the moisture level is within acceptable limits or if there is a problem that requires intervention.
Moisture meters, especially pinless, are one of the most non-invasive water leak detection methods. They provide early signs of moisture excess in your home, whether on the walls or floors; however, they may require additional testing to verify that there is indeed a leak.
How to spot a water leak by yourself?
We’ve previously seen three of the most common methods professionals use to detect leaks in your home. Sadly, unless you schedule regular inspections, you’ll only call leak detection experts when you suspect a leak. However, the typical homeowner is unlikely to own any infrared leak detection equipment. Hence, how can you spot leaks before it’s too late?
When hidden, plumbing leaks can be challenging to detect. Still, some water leak detection methods don’t require professional knowledge or equipment and can help identify a possible leaky pipe in your home.
If you suspect you leak, you can try some of these methods to confirm it:
1. Monitor the water meter
Water meters are one of the most accurate methods for detecting leaks. All you need to do is turn off all the fixtures in your home and record the meter readings. If the meter continues moving despite no faucet being open, you may have a fast-moving leak.
Likewise, if the meter doesn’t move immediately, but you notice changes after a few hours, you still can have a leaky pipe somewhere in your home. Hence, it’s time to call the experts to locate the exact spot using more advanced water leak detection methods.
2. Put food coloring on the toilet.
Toilets are one of the leading causes of residential plumbing leaks. Thanks to their connection to waste pipelines and their placement on higher floors, they’re more likely to cause water damage due to leaks, especially because toilet leaks are not easily noticeable.
Thankfully, applying food coloring to the toilet tank can help you detect leaks and water damage without needing acoustic leak detection at first. After adding the coloring, wait for a few minutes without flushing, and observe if the water in the toilet bowl changes color. If it does, there could be a leak between the tank and the bowl.
You can also check for any colored stains on the ceiling near the toilet, which can help identify leaks in the toilet pipe without requiring advanced weather leak detection methods. However, you may need to call professionals to pinpoint the exact location.
3. Check your appliances.
Large appliances that use water, such as washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters, can leak through their pipe connections; hence, it’s essential to inspect them regularly to ensure there are no leaks. Most of these leaks are visible, as they occur at the line connections, and they don’t require advanced methods like moisture meter usage to detect them.
For example, inspect the upper part of your water heater, particularly around the water line connections and the drain valve, as these areas are susceptible to high pressure and prone to leaks. Likewise, access the relief valve.
Dishwashers and washing machines also tend to leak around the pipes and drain valves. Thus, it’s not imperative to use professional water leak detection methods to spot them, as these locations are visible and it’s easy to see the water dripping.
Still, you should call the professionals once a year to inspect your whole house and ensure there aren’t pipes leaking underground or inside the walls.
Find leaks before they wreak havoc with Aquaseekers
We specialize in emergency damage restoration from water, fire, smoke, mold, and vandalism across the Treasure Coast, FL. We have the knowledge and state-of-the-art equipment to help you locate and repair leaks in your home, from infrared leak detection to moisture meters.
We’re available 24/7 for emergencies. Thus, when you call us because you suspect a leak, we’ll dispatch a technician with cutting-edge water leak detection methods as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Alongside plumbers and roofers, we’ll ensure the leak is repaired as quickly as possible.
Call us today! Our main service areas include Port Saint Lucie, Tradition, PSL, Saint Lucie West, and the rest of Saint Lucie County, as well as Vero Beach, Martin County, Indian River County, and Palm Beach County. But we can travel to the rest of the state if you need top-notch restoration services.
