Plumbing leaks are often thought of as being a highly visible problem, but the truth is that most of the time, they aren’t. Like ductwork, the vast majority of your plumbing is hidden in the walls of your home as they can be unsightly. When you have little to no visibility of something, it’s hard to know if and when a problem has developed. This is why professional plumbers have a number of specialized leak detection tools at their disposal for plumbing repair. So what are some signs that can indicate that it may be time for plumbing repair in Elgin? Let’s take a look.

Signs of Leaks

Following are some signs to be aware of when dealing with possible plumbing issues:

• Wet spots on walls and ceilings
• Low water pressure
• The sound of water dripping or running somewhere
• Inexplicably high water bills
• Puddling on floors

So Where Are the Leaks?

Finding leaks can be a challenging task, which is why plumbing professionals may use any one or more of the following types of tools to help them locate a leaky pipe:

• Visual inspection equipment – visual inspection equipment can consist of small cameras, video equipment and fiber optic visual equipment. Why use visual tools? These tools are connected to small screen that provide the technician with a real-time image or video of the inside of your piping. This allows he/she to see inside the pipe the same as if he/she were inside the pipe.

• Audio equipment – water is always on the move, so sometimes the best way to locate a leak is to listen for it. Technicians use professional audio equipment that allows them to hear the slightest drip through cabinetry, dry wall, concrete and plaster.

• Infrared scanning – areas of your home affected by leaks will be cool, temperature-wise, compared to other areas because the affected areas are wet. Infrared scanning maps out areas by thermal heat, so a spot that comes up cool when it shouldn’t can point to the area where the leak has occurred.

The gadgetry of these detection devices can be tempting to use, especially if you like certain kinds of technology, but it’s always best to leave leak detection to the experts.

If you suspect you may have a leak, call Lifeline Plumbing today and schedule an appointment.