Leak Detection in San Rafael, CA

What are the signs of a plumbing leak?

You do not always realize there is a plumbing issue because most plumbing water leaks start small. However, there are some signs that you should never ignore. The best defense against water damage and exorbitant water bills is the early detection of a water leak in the system.

• An unexplainable surge in your water bill
• Mold and mildew growth or the smell of mold
• The sound of trickling water, even when there’s no running faucet
• Pooling water in unexpected areas of your property
• Damp carpet
• Soggy spots in the yard
• Low water pressure
Do not wait to contact a San Rafael, California, water leak detection specialist if you see clear indications of a leak or suspect you may have more damage than you already have. Water from a leak can pool around your floors, walls, windows, and more if left unchecked. Contacting a plumber like John Owens Services, who provides excellent leak detection for homeowners, can help you avoid having to undertake a significant and costly repair job.

How can leaks be detected?

Tracer gas leak
Gas leaks can be located using tracer gases. One way to keep an eye on the helium levels outside the home is to add helium to the water. Any regions above a leak will indicate that high helium is detected. This shows where the gas leak is. This kind of leak detection can also be accomplished with a hydrogen/nitrogen mixture and a device known as a sniffer test, which is a job that uses a handheld probe filled with a tracer gas and moved around an area to determine whether the concentration of the gas is higher than usual.
Acoustic Sound
Utilizing sophisticated sensors, acoustic leak detection services seek to identify aural indicators of liquid or gas leaks. When gas or water escapes from a pressured system, a noise will be produced that can be heard by acoustic leak detection equipment. This type of leak detection is quite advantageous since it can find a leak at a very early stage. Since a leak cannot be heard by human hearing, having equipment that can identify and evaluate the sound of a possible leak is useful in ensuring that you discover any leaks, whether they be gas or water, before they fully escape your knowledge.
Water shut-off valve
Installing an automatic water shut-off valve in your house can help ensure that no disastrous leaks occur. A shut-off valve can identify leaks by monitoring the water flow through your pipes or by detecting any instances in which water begins to pool on the ground. The valve will cut off the water supply to your home to stop a leak before it gets out of control if there is uneven movement in the pipes or if moisture is accumulating on the floor.

What’s in leak detection plumbing services?

Leak detection leader John Owens Services, Inc. did not become that way by accident. We make sure every facet of our business meets your expectations because we know that maintaining your satisfaction depends on both quality work and excellent customer service. Our San Rafael, CA, water leak detection experts use sophisticated leak detection technology to locate your leaks quickly. In some cases, this may be an air pressure test in your plumbing lines, while in others, we may use other techniques like dye tests that also yield fast results. Our mission is to find your leak quickly so we can fix it quickly and prevent your property and your wallet from suffering due to the wasted water.

Where do leaks commonly occur in homes?

Leaks can occur anywhere along the water line in the home. Places like bathrooms and kitchens are more common places to find a leak in your home. Hose bibs, dishwashers, faucets, and laundry machines can also be common culprits. Allowing these units to leak can cause massive damage to the home. For instance, if a bathroom toilet upstairs leaks into the first floor, you can typically see signs of leakage on the wall when looking at the ceiling on the first floor.

What can be installed to alert of leaks?

One of two types of leak-detecting devices is present in most homes. Both of these more contemporary kinds of leak-detecting systems connect to smart devices to alert you when there is a leak in your home. You can install a Moen Flo whole-home monitoring system along with your water supply. This monitors water flow and turns off the water if it notices prolonged, excessive use. Another thing that can be strewn all over the house is pucks. Despite the lower cost, it might require ten or more pucks to fully defend your home.

For a home to be insured by certain insurance carriers, it must have a leak detector or a water shut-off valve. The whole-house flow system and the moisture sensor can also be combined. Installing these leak detection systems in your house might also earn you insurance provider savings.

What causes leaks?

There can be multiple factors that lead to pipes leaking in your home. This can be wear and tear over time, like cracks and corrosion. If there is too much pressure buildup in the line, it could cause it to burst into a leak. Frozen pipes can also cause the pipe to expand and create a leak. There could also be a bad connection with the brazing or the press of your copper fittings in the water line.

You can also have breaks in your irrigation lines or hose bib that can cause a constant drip. Toilets with leaky flappers are another common culprit in the home. Nationally, homes can waste up to 1 trillion gallons of water per year. Do your part and repair your leaks in the home.
Some of the leaks we can accurately detect include:

• Radiant heating piping leaks in concrete
• Under-concrete slab leaks
• Leaking yard piping
• Water line leaks