Water line repair in Baytown Tx: How to detect water line leaks.

 

You can’t perform a water line repair without knowing where the leak is. Detecting water line leaks can be difficult because they don’t usually produce water that you can easily view above ground. So when it comes to underground pipe leak detection, there are a few ways to detect quickly.

The early you detect the leaks, the early water line repair is carried out. As a homeowner or maintenance technicians, it is important to know how to quickly recognize the signs of underground pipe leaks to avoid costly damages. Since underground pipe leaks can destabilize the soil on your property and cause foundation issues, detecting underground leaks early can save your property and avert costly damages.

How to detect water line leak or underground pipe leaks

The best way to determine if your water line is leaking is to first check your water meter. When you locate the water meter, check the leak indicator. However, there are several ways to detect if your water line or underground pipes are leaking. Here is how to detect:

#1. Excess water in the soil

If there is an underground pipe leak around your house, the soil around the area where the pipe is leaking will likely become saturated with water. When this happens, the grass around that area will be extra healthy and green, even if you are not watering it. If you dig a hole in such a place, the hole will be filled with water. If you notice something like this, make sure you repair it as soon as possible.

##2. An unexpected rise in water bills

If you have been living in the house for a while and have been receiving water bills, you probably expect your water bill to be consistent. If the bill is unexpectedly higher than what you have been receiving in the past, it could be an indication that your water line is leaking. Unless you can explain why the water bill is higher than what you’ve been receiving, a leak is a good suspect.

#3. Sudden moisture in the basement

When there is no leak in the soil around your home or office, the basement will stay dry but when there is a water line leak, you will notice moisture in the basement. If the moisture only appears during rain or after rainstorms, it may be a result of a problem with a nearby sewer or drain. When you notice moisture, make sure you check or call a plumber to check for you so that you can quickly detect whether it is a leak or not.

#4. Sinking or heaving of the soil around the house

When there is a water line leak, the soil around the house will become supersaturated with water and the leak can also destabilize the soil. In fact, the pavement around your home can crack or heave. A sinkhole can even develop on your property. If you notice all these, it is time to call your plumber.

#5. Loss of water pressure

When the main water line is leaking, your home may experience loss of water pressure. Don’t get this wrong; a loss of water pressure in one fixture is not necessarily a sign of a leak in the main water line but could be indicative of a leak or clog in the pipe that feeds a particular fixture. If the whole of your home is getting lower water pressure, it may be a clear indication of a leaking water line.

#6. Sounds of a leak

You can hear some noise when the water line is leaking. When you are close to the point where it is leaking, you may be able to hear ooze of water. If you can’t hear the leak, using a ground microphone to detect the sound can help. The ground microphone will be able to pick the noise when it gets over the leak.

 

How to carry out water line repair

Water line leak can be more troublesome than you expect. When the water is dripping through the walls as a result of a water line leak, it can threaten the structural stability of your property. Too much water can also cause the root of your vegetation to rot. Before the water line leak goes out of hand, you need a quick water line repair. It is important to call a professional to fix it for you but if you want to fix it yourself, there are ways you can fix it.

Step 1 – Detect leak

We’ve explained how you can detect the leak above. Detect the leak and prepare to fix it. Depending on the extent of the leak, you can fix each leak through soldering, clamping rubber sheet over the spot and through the epoxy.

Step 2 – Drain the Pipes

Find the main water supply and switch it off. Open the faucets to drain the remaining water in the pipe. Whether you are replacing or fixing the pipe, it is important to drain the pipe completely.

Step 3 – Repair or Replace the Pipe

If you want to fix the pipe, you can use several methods. If it is a copper pipe, you can apply soldering flux on the location of the leak and solder it with a propane torch. When you are fixing any type of pipe, make sure you wear protective glass and gloves to avoid injury. If the leak is small, you can place and tighten a rubber sheet around it with a horse-clamp.

If you are replacing the pipe, it is easy to replace PVC pipes. You need to measure the area suffering from the leak and get a pipe of the same dimension to replace it. Use the pipe cutter or a saw to cut the leaky part of the pipe and replace it with another one.

Step5 – Test the Pipe you repaired

After fixing or replacing the leaky pipe, turn on the water supply and check whether the part you repaired is not leaking. If any section is faulty, turn off the water and repair it.

Water line repair in Houston Texas

When you detect a leaky pipe, the best thing to do is call a professional plumber to repair it for you. Although you can fix it yourself, letting a professional plumber fix it for you will put your mind at ease because it will eliminate any doubt.

If you are looking for water line repair in Houston Texas, Alfa Plumbing Service is the best and the most trusted plumbing company in Houston. Whether you want to replace a pipe or repair a pipe, call Alfa Plumbing Services. Let an expert fix your leaky pipes at the most affordable rate. Give us a call today.