How Do Plumbers Detect Leaks? (Popular Techniques & Methods)

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Leaks are one of the most common and damaging plumbing problems a home can have. Even a tiny leak can ruin your drywall and lead to structural damage, not to mention the amount of wasted water and how it drives up your bills. 

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), leaks occur in 80% of homes at some point. This is due to the fact that pipes are often hidden behind walls or under floors, so it might not be evident if something is wrong.

 Leaks can be a serious problem for homeowners, but finding them is often easier said than done. Unless you know where to look for them, you might not even realize that you have a leak in your home.

You should never try to repair a leak on your own because it could cause further damage or make the problem worse. If you suspect that you have a leak in your home, contact a professional plumbing company as soon as possible so they can take care of it for you.

Professional plumbers have the experience and expertise for quick leak detection and repair them easily, so it's best to leave this job up to them.

Signs You May Have A Leak

Most homeowners don't notice the telltale signs of a water leak until it's too late. A pipe has burst and caused thousands of dollars in damage or ruined your flooring. Prevention is always the best option, and noticing signs your home may have a water leak can help prevent a costly disaster. 

Here are some common signs that indicate you may have a leak. 

• A rise in your water bill - if your water bill jumps by 10% in one month, it could indicate you have a leak.
• Wall discoloration - this could mean that you have water leaking behind your drywall. 
• Bubbling paint or bulging wallpaper - both of these are signs that the wallboard is wet and the paint or wallpaper is no longer adhering. 
• A dripping sound - many leaks are silent, but other leaks can sometimes be heard, giving you a clue to their location.
• A musty smell - this often happens once there’s been a leak for quite a while and is usually an indication of mold. 

What To Do If You Think You Have A Leak

If you don’t see any visible signs of water but have noticed some of the signs above, you should call a plumber immediately. A professional plumber has the tools and the know-how to find the leak quickly with leak detection tools and methods so they can fix it. They will walk through your home looking for signs of leaking, including under your skinks, checking out your fixtures, irrigation, and pool systems to rule them out. 

How Plumber Complete Leak Detection

Leak detection is one of the most important services a plumber offers. They use the special techniques below so they can find where the leak is occurring so they can repair them quickly to prevent further damage to your home. 

Acoustic Listening Devices

 Ground microphones, like listening discs, are devices used by plumbers to locate water leaks in pipes and underground tanks. They emit high-pitched sound vibrations into the ground, responding to sounds of water currents moving through a leak. This system is known as sonar technology.

The device emits a sound wave that travels down to the ground until it hits an object (such as a pipe or tank). The object acts as a barrier for the sound wave, which reflects back and is heard by the microphone when it reaches the surface again. The time taken for this reflection gives an idea of how deep below ground level the object is located.

Heat Scanners

 If you’re in the market for a new scanner, you might consider one that can tell temperature differences within the walls of your home. This means if there is a leak below or above, the thermal leak scanner will immediately pick it up and sound an alarm. Plumbing professionals sometimes refer to these as wand scanners.

The reason for this is that they are long and thin—like a wand—and can be used to measure temperature differences across pipes, walls, and floors. They can also be used to detect leaks and other problems in your plumbing system.

Video Pipe Inspection Equipment

 Plumbers use a few different ways to find leaks in pipes. One of these methods is by utilizing a special camera. This camera can be fed into the pipe by either pushing it on the end of a long, thin pole or through the use of flexible fiber optic cables. There are plumbers who still prefer this method over other leak detection methods claiming that it is the most precise and easy to see the condition of the inside of the pipe.

The plumber will begin by inserting the camera into one end of the pipe and then slowly pushing it through until he reaches his destination. When he arrives at his destination, he will be able to see any cracks or holes in your pipes that may be causing leaks. The only problem with this method is that it takes time for him to reach his destination, which could make him late for another job if there are many other customers waiting for service from him before yours gets done first

Non-Invasive Leak Detection

Non-invasive leak detection is the process of finding leaks in plumbing without having to remove any materials or use any invasive methods. This is a great way to inspect without having to cut into the water supply line or disturb anything, which can save time and money. 

There are a few ways that you can use non-invasive leak detection. Professionals can use acoustic devices, infrared cameras, and even Bluetooth devices that can detect leaks. These methods have been used for years and have allowed many companies to complete leak detection before they become problems.

If you suspect a leak, make sure to call a professional plumber from Alliance Service Pros immediately so you can find the leaks as early as possible and save time and money.