How to Spot an Underground Water Leak
A water leak is one of the most important home maintenance problems to fix as soon as possible, even more so if those leaks occur underground. Hidden water leaks not only hurt a household’s budget by running up the water bill unnecessarily, but they can also weaken the foundations of a home and cause a lot of damage if left unresolved over a long period. If one suspects an underground water leak at home, read on for some timely advice.
Look for These Signs
Before anything else, it’s important to determine if an underground water leak is doing invisible damage at home. Most homeowners will be able to determine this by watching out for the following signs:
- Sound of running water - does it sound like the tap is on even though no one is using water? This might be because water IS still flowing - but not from a tap. That sound is probably water leaking out of an unseen pipe.
- High water bill - a water bill trending upward without significant changes in a household’s activities or water consumption could be caused by an underground water leak.
- Puddles of water in the yard - soft, mushy spots in the garden or unexplained pools of water could be caused by water leaks. Pay attention to these spots, as this is where the leak is most likely located.
- Decrease in water pressure - water that flows more slowly than normal could indicate that water is escaping from a leak somewhere, as the full volume of water doesn’t make it out through the tap.
Check the Water Meter
While noticing some external signs such as the ones mentioned above can help determine whether there is a leak within the network of underground pipes, a better, more accurate way of finding a leak would be to check the home’s water meter. If the water meter is still running even after the home’s main water valve has been shut off, there is surely a leak underground.
To do this, homeowners can take the following steps:
- First, ensure water isn’t running inside the house by shutting off the main water valve.
- Second, locate the water meter and check the leak indicator. This is usually a triangle colored red, white, or blue and spins to indicate that water is being used at home. If the indicator keeps spinning even after the main water valve is shut off, there must be a leak somewhere.
- A water meter without a leak indicator can still tell homeowners if their pipes leak. This can be done by writing down the current meter reading and then coming back after 30 minutes or an hour and checking to see if the reading has changed. Any changes to the meter reading mean a leak is present.
Let the Pros Do The Work
Underground leaks are much more tricky and difficult to repair than visible leaks inside the home that could usually be remedied by a timely part replacement or a little screw or bolt tightening here and there. Because of the invisible nature of an underground leaks, the best way to deal with them is by calling professional water leak detection services.
Not only can professional leak detection services determine the exact location of an underground leak, but they also can conduct a thorough repair. This usually involves shutting off the water main and digging a trench to get to the source of the leak before repairing or replacing the faulty pipeline. After the repair, professionals usually test to see if the leak is gone or if the pipe still needs further repair or a possible replacement. Once they are satisfied that the leak is gone, it will be time to refill the trench, and homeowners can resume their daily activities.
About B & D Plumbing, Heating & A/C
B&D Plumbing, Heating & A/C provides reliable plumbing, heating, and cooling services in St. Michael, MN. Their industry-leading team of experts can deliver a full range of plumbing and HVAC solutions using the latest technology and a fully stocked truck ready to resolve any problem instantly. Upfront pricing and round-the-clock availability also make them the go-to team in the community. Call them today for professional plumbing services in St. Michael, MN.
