water Archives » Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning

The Real Hidden Object Game: Water Line Leak Detection

Advice for Recognizing the Signs of Hidden Water Leaks

There is perhaps nothing as annoying as a dripping faucet, but this is the most noticeable and least damaging water leak. However, hidden pipe leaks can cause a huge problem, especially when they go unnoticed. Whether it is caused by tree roots, corroded pipes, or human error, the results of underground pipe leaks are the same. This article will share ways to know if the home has a water leak and when to call in the professionals.

Clues That a Home has an Underground Water Leak

water bill The first step in hidden leak repair is to determine that there is a leak. Several easy-to-identify signs may indicate the presence of a break in the water supply line. The major ones are listed below.

Yard Swamp: If there are wet spots in the yard when there is no rain or areas where the grass seems to grow more quickly, this can indicate a crack in the water pipes.

Low Pressure: If the water pressure decreases to a noticeable degree throughout the house, the problem may be a leaky pipe.

Higher Water Bills: If the water bill seems to spike when consumption has not increased, this may result from a pipe break.

Water Damage to Walls and Home Structure: If there is evidence of water damage, it may have come from a hidden leak.

Mold or Mildew: The presence of mold or mildew in odd places can indicate a leak.

If any of these signs are present, a homeowner can move on to the next step in checking for leaks.

Become the Water Meter Monitor

If a homeowner suspects that their home has a hidden water leak, a good way to test it is to perform a water meter test. This involves shutting off the water main and monitoring the meter to see if there is any movement.

If the meter continues to move while the water main is shut off, there is a leak. When a leak is confirmed, it is time to call in the professionals for water line leak detection. Homeowners should not put off leak repair because the longer a leak is left alone, the more damage it can do.

Know When to Call in the Professionals

professional When there is a hidden water leak, a good plumbing company will have the proper tools to find it and repair it. There are several different methods that plumbers and plumbing technicians use for leak detection. Here are a few of the techniques that can be used:

Sonic Detection: This method uses sound waves (much like radar or ultrasound imaging) to find the leak's location. Irregularities in the vibrations along the pipe will let the plumbing pro determine the exact location of the leak, and then they can make a plan on how to proceed.
Thermal Imaging: Temperature detection may seem like an odd method for leak detection, but it makes sense when a person considers that the pipe would register as a line of a single temperature, whether hot or cold, and movement outside that space would be easy to see.
Inside Pipe Detection: The final leak detection method is performed by placing a sensor within the pipe that can detect variations in pressure through sonic, pressure, or electromagnetic means.

A professional plumber can determine the proper repair method once the leak is found in the underground plumbing.

About Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning

Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning is a family-owned and operated business serving Salt Lake and Utah Counties since 2011. They provide competitive pricing, a hassle-free experience, and 24/7 live answer. Call them today for plumbing services in West Jordan, UT, and look for the truck with the duck!

Distribution Links +

Is There a Ghost in the House, or Does the Water Heater Need To Be Repaired?

Beware of These Haunting Water Heater Sounds

Even though it’s the spooky season, that doesn’t mean the water heater should be making spooky sounds. Popping, screeching, and crackling all indicate different problems with the water heater. Identifying exactly what that means and the recommended course of action can help all homeowners keep their home safe and their water heater in proper working order.

What Was That Popping Sound?

Popping noises, like the type made by a creepy clown with a bunch of balloons, are never something homeowners want to hear in their home. But it’s also one of the most common noises that a water heater can make.

The usual reason a water heater will make a popping noise is because of excess mineral deposits and other sediment sitting on the bottom of the tank. Homeowners who live in areas with hard water tend to have more issues with popping in their water tank.

To fix this issue, homeowners should have their water heater serviced regularly. Simply having the water heater flushed will get rid of all of the sediment, debris, and other particulate matter in the bottom of the water heater so that it doesn’t overheat and will stop making that popping noise.

There’s a Screeching in the House

High pitched screeching is always disconcerting, especially when it happens unexpectedly. However, screeching, even though it can be terrifying, is usually the result of a fairly normal plumbing problem… water flow restriction.

Specifically, the screeching noise is usually coming from the inlet control valve located on the water heater. An inlet control valve that is partially closed can prevent water from flowing freely through the pipes. That also leads to a build-up of pressure, which can be risky if allowed to continue for an extended amount of time.

Luckily, there is an easy fix! In addition to regular plumbing maintenance, homeowners should check to verify that the inlet control valve is fully open if they hear a sudden screeching noise. Check the user’s manual for its exact location, which is usually near the water heater tank base.

Crackling or Cackling?

Neither crackling from the water heater or cackling in the home is normal, even during the spooky season. The good news is, unlike with cackling, crackling has a down to earth explanation. It is usually due to one of two things.

The first explanation for a crackling noise coming from the water heater, especially with a gas-powered water heater, is that there may be some condensation on the burner. In this context, the great news is that crackling is typical and does not indicate any major problem. It will eventually burn off on its own, but regular maintenance is always a good idea.

In some other cases, a crackling noise can indicate that there may be some sediment present in the water heater’s tank. This can be resolved by simply having the water heater serviced by a professional plumber. The tank may just need to be drained and flushed.

About Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning

Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning has multiple locations to provide professional plumbing services in West Jordan and Lehi, Utah. They are a family-owned business that services both residential and commercial clients. Their technicians have years of experience and are trained in the latest techniques and methods to provide fast, expert, quality service. Local homeowners know to trust water heater repair in West Jordan to the experts at Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning.

Distribution Links +

Repairing a Water Leak: What to Do and What Not to Do

The Best Way to Repair a Water Leak

Though DIY projects have been around forever, they have really shot off like a rocket in the last decade or so with the growth in popularity of networks like Pinterest and YouTube. People all around the world teach wood carving skills, painting techniques, organizational hacks, and more. It would seem as if there’s no need to buy anything from a store! But there’s one particular case where DIY is not such a good idea: home repair.

DIY residential plumbing projects can put the safety and comfort of those living in the home at risk. And while most people take on DIY projects to save money, DIY home repair just ends up being more expensive if it’s not done correctly. The best way to fix water leaks and other things around the home is to ignore the need to DIY everything and hire a trained professional instead.

How to Use Plumbing Sealants and Repair Tape

Many people have the mindset of “use it until it falls apart and no longer works” for all kinds of products, which causes them to turn to duct tape as a solution for just about everything. If part of a tail light on the car is falling off, just duct tape it.

If a book is falling apart at the seams, fix it with duct tape. Now, duct tape isn’t the best tool to use for fixing a leaking pipe, but there are other members of the adhesive family that will do just fine. Repair tape is a common type of plumbing sealant, and it is incredibly strong.

This makes it a great tool for fixing a leak when two pieces of the pipe aren’t staying as tight as they should. Make sure to wrap the tape tightly around the pipe or fixture in a clockwise direction. As a pro tip, always remember to pay attention to the manufacturer’s directions for how much tape to use. If too much tape is used, it can lose its effectiveness and won’t stop the leak.

DIY Plumbing Risks to Know

The risk is high when someone tries to take on a task they’ve never done before. For instance, a sixteen-year-old who just got their license is a high risk on the road. They simply don’t have the knowledge or the experience to be comfortable and safe while driving. The same concept applies to plumbing repairs. If a homeowner tries to take on this work themselves, they place risk on the home and their own health.

One small, wrong move and things can start spinning out of control. For example, if they forget to turn the water off first, the house could start flooding. If they are too firm with the pipes, the pipes could crack or burst. If they don’t take the proper safety precautions, they could accidentally cut themselves or drop something on themselves causing serious injuries. Ultimately, the best way to minimize risk is to leave it to the plumbing professionals.

Trained, Professional Water Leak Service Providers

A homeowner’s biggest priority is completing the water leak repair effectively and with minimal damage. Hiring a professional is the best way to ensure that the job is done correctly the first time.

Professionals have the tools and technology to identify the precise location of the water leak, so they can repair that specific location and minimize the damage to the rest of the house.

They know how to avoid common mistakes that lead to injuries, and they always have the necessary safety gear on hand. Additionally, professional plumbers can diagnose the entire plumbing system to determine if repiping or other services are needed.

About Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning

Proudly serving Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas, Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning is dedicated to solving all residential and commercial plumbing problems. No matter the scale of the plumbing issue, they have a solution for every unique problem. Their expert plumbers help customers get their homes back to a comfortable, convenient state.