Professional Leak Detection in Escondido and North County
Little Guy Plumbing offers professional leak detection in Escondido and North County. For over 15 years we’ve been locating leaks of all kinds, including slab leaks, leaks in walls and ceilings and outdoor leaks. If you’re having a water leak of any kind or you think you may a have a gas leak you can depend on us to find the source quickly and offer the best options for repair. Call (760) 707-4613 to speak with a leak detection expert. We offer 24 hour emergency assistance in Escondido and surrounding areas.
Having a water emergency? Protecting your property and loved ones is important to us, so we respond quickly to all emergency situations and offer water removal services, if needed.
Have you had your water pressure checked lately?
High water pressure is the leading cause of plumbing leaks so it’s imoprtant to have your pressure checked on a routine basis. We offer FREE water pressure tests in Escondido and North County and dependable solutions to high pressure and water leaks.
Types of Leaks and How They're Located
If you have any kind of leak at your home or business, it’s important to locate the source of the leak quickly to avoid damage to your property. There are a number of places a leak can occur, some are easier to spot than others. Here are the different types of leaks you may encounter and what leak detection methods are used to find them.
Ceiling Leaks
Ceiling leaks are usually identified by moist or discolored areas in the drywall, water drips or droplets clinging to the ceiling, or by the formation of bubbles in the paint that are filled with water. They occur mostly beneath tubs, showers and toilets located above, but not always. Locating the leak usually involves cutting an access hole in the ceiling to visually inspect the plumbing.
Wall Leaks
Wall leaks are usually accompanied with water pooling on the floor near base boards. You may also notice paint bubbles on base boards, warped base boards or flooring and sometimes the formation of mold spots. If you have carpet, you may notice a wet spot. That’s because most leaks inside walls send water downward toward the floor, where it pools and seeps into the drywall and surrounding area. To locate a wall leak, a moisture meter may be used and drywall will be opened for inspection.
Slab Leaks
Slab leaks occur beneath the building’s foundation. In some situations, there are no observable signs and they can go unnoticed for long periods of time. In other cases, you may notice water seeping out of the ground, mysterious pools of water on the floor, moist areas in walls near the floor or warm spots on the ground. Eletronic leak detection equipment is used to locate slab leaks along with other testing procedures.
Irrigation & Outdoor Leaks
Irrigation leaks and other outdoor leaks can often be identified by large areas of pooling water or marsh-like conditions somewhere on the property. You may also notice unusual algea growth on the ground or along the exterior of the building. If you don’t have a strong visual indicator, electronic leak detection equipment can be used. Most outdoor leaks are located by digging around the area with the highest level of moisture.
Drain Leaks
Drain leaks can happen just about anywhere in the building–within walls, in between floors and even below ground. You may notice a drain leak by water pooling on the floor near a sink or in the cabinet below. You may also see water staining or moist areas in drywall, water dripping from a ceiling or even mold spots. Most drain leaks are found by opening up drywall and testing the drains lines with running water.
Other Types of Leaks
One of the most common types of leaks are leaks that are visible and accessible. These may include leaking faucets and other plumbing fixtures, shut-off valves, drain traps, supply line connections at waters heaters and faucets and dripping tub & shower faucets. They normally don’t require leak detection services, but may involve some form of investigation to pin-point the source.
If you have any questions about our leak detection services, give us a call at (760) 707-4613 to speak with a licensed professional in Escondido.
Slab Leak Detection and Repair
Accurate slab leak detection requires experience and skill. It’s important to find a plumber who knows exactly how to locate a slab leak and how to test their findings in order to accurately pin-point the leak. Mislocating a slab leak could be a costly mistake.
Most leak detections begin with a general inspection and some simple tests. The water meter will be monitored for unusual activity and a static pressure test may be performed to see if the building holds constant water pressure. A moisture meter or thermal imaging camera may also be used.
Once it’s confirmed there’s a leak, electronic equipment is used to narrow down and eventually identify it’s exact location. Highly-sensitive audio equipment is used to listen for underground activity. The system may be pressurized to increase audibility, or charged with a low-level current to help trace the the leaking pipe.
Once the location of the slab leak is confirmed, careful consideration must made to come up with a repair plan. There are normally two options: repair the underground leak or abandon the leaking line and install a new one. Installing a new line is usually the best option.
Repairing a slab leak requires cutting or chipping the concrete foundation and manually fixing the leak. This could weaken the integrity of the foundation and involves the removal of flooring, which adds to the cost of the project and doesn’t eliminate the leaking water line.
Instead, it’s possible that a new line can be installed overhead–in the attic or in between floors–to replace the one that’s leaking, which will be entirely abandoned. This is known as a “reroute” and it’s the solution we most often recommend in slab leak situations.
BUSINESS HOURS
Monday – Friday
7AM – 7PM
Saturday
9AM – 5PM
24 hour emergency services available
Lic.# 1077763
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