Welcome to Ready & Able, formerly known as David LeRoy Plumbing! Although our name and brand have changed, we are still here to serve you and all of your plumbing, heating, cooling, and air quality needs!
Even a small leak behind your home’s walls can cause devastating damage. Leaks can also negatively affect air quality and impact your health. Let’s explore what you should know about identifying leaks in the home and fixing them.
Homeowners should be vigilant at all times. Watch for signs there’s a leak and that you should call a plumber.
Some households have a leak detector installed. These systems detect leaks by sensing moisture, unusual water flow, or pressure changes. Traditional leak detectors may sound an alarm within the home, while smart leak detectors can send notifications to phones and even shut off the water automatically in severe cases.
Leaks can cause odd noises throughout your home, but not all leaks are audible. If there’s a major leak, you may hear water running behind your walls. You might also hear creaking or groaning noises due to pressure changes or thermal expansion of pipes. If you notice unusual plumbing sounds when using fixtures, such as turning on a faucet or flushing a toilet, it may indicate a leak or another plumbing issue.
Minor leaks can go on for a long time without homeowners noticing them. That excess moisture can lead to mildew, mold, and pest infestations. If you notice mustiness in the home and can’t find the source, contact an expert local plumber to help you pinpoint it.
Look for water damage in your ceilings, walls, and floors. Watch for issues with paint, such as peeling, and wallpaper, such as bubbling. If you pull up any carpet or other flooring, call a plumber even if there are long-dried indications of water damage.
Leaks are a leading cause of unexplained high water consumption, often resulting in higher-than-usual water bills. Some water companies monitor unusual water usage and may notify customers to check for leaks, though policies vary by provider.
A sudden drop in water pressure from one or more fixtures potentially indicates a leak. There are many other potential causes too, and a plumber can help you tell which is the culprit.
Plumbers have many modern tools at their disposal. That equipment lets them identify and locate precisely leaks you may not notice otherwise.
Plumbers can test water pressure with a gauge to help determine if there’s a leak. Normal residential water pressure typically falls between 40 and 60 psi. Readings above 80 psi may indicate an issue with your pressure regulator, while anything below 40 psi could suggest a leak or other plumbing issue, such as mineral buildup inside pipes.
A video camera inspection is a powerful technique through which plumbers can identify leaks, clogs, and other plumbing problems. This equipment has a high-definition camera attached to a strong but flexible line. That line connects at the other end to a video monitor. A plumber can navigate the camera through the plumbing, as deep as the sewer, and see any problems on the monitor.
A plumbing leak creates sound but perhaps not loud enough that you can hear it through your walls. A plumber can detect that sound using an acoustic-based leak detector. These systems have a sensitive microphone for listening and headphones that the plumber wears. Many advanced systems have a video display as well. That allows plumbers to visualize the noise they’re hearing and zero in on the problem area more quickly.
Plumbers can use thermal imaging as well. You may also see this equipment referred to as infrared plumbing cameras. Leaks don’t just create sound. They generate energy and therefore heat. An infrared camera lets the plumber see that heat even through your walls.
What infrared cameras do is detect temperature differences, such as between a pipe and a wall. That can also make them useful for detecting moisture, which is helpful for pinpointing leaks. Another approach to this is a moisture meter. Moisture meters work by detecting electrical resistance within a material. The more moisture there is, the less resistance to electrical current.
Homeowners can avoid the most common leaks and other prevalent plumbing issues through a preventative approach. Schedule an annual inspection even if you don’t notice any plumbing issues throughout the year. A plumber can identify early wear and tear and correct it before it develops into more serious problems. Your plumber can also discuss the current plumbing code with you and explore potential upgrades.
If you experience a leak, there are several repair options. An experienced plumber will help you determine the ideal fix for your situation.
If you identify a leak, your first step is to shut off the water supply to prevent further damage. Some fixtures and appliances, such as water heaters and toilets, have dedicated shut-off valves. For a larger leak, you may need to turn off the main water supply, usually located outside near the water meter. Some homes require a shut-off key, but others have a simple lever-style shut-off valve that can be turned by hand.
Often, a plumber will recommend replacing a leaking pipe or the compromised section of it. This is especially true for older materials prone to corrosion, such as galvanized steel or copper. In some cases, new fittings will be required to secure the replacement pipe.
For metal piping, repairs may be preferable to full replacement. A slip coupling allows for repairs with minimal soldering, though cutting the damaged section is still required. Other long-term solutions include pipe wraps and epoxy putty, which create a waterproof seal. Plumber’s tape (Teflon tape) is useful for preventing leaks at threaded joints.
If a leak is underground, traditional pipe replacement can be disruptive and expensive. Whenever possible, plumbers opt for trenchless restoration techniques such as cured-in-place piping (CIPP) for sewer and drain pipes. For pressurized water lines, methods like epoxy pipe coating may be used to seal leaks without excavation.
Ready & Able Plumbing, Heating & Air has served Harrisburg, PA and the surrounding areas since 1998. Our licensed plumbers are available 24/7 for emergency repairs. We specialize in identifying plumbing leaks and reliable, cost-effective repairs. Our team performs trenchless repairs and excavation. We are also available for routine inspections and offer a maintenance plan to help you save money and avoid leaks.
If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, call us today.
Welcome to Ready & Able, formerly known as David LeRoy Plumbing! Although our name and brand have changed, we are still here to serve you and all of your plumbing, heating, cooling, and air quality needs!