20 Feb Mastering Pipe Leak Repair
Your pipes are an integral part of your property’s plumbing system. They transport water to all the faucets and appliances in your home. Over time, corrosion, shifting ground, excess water pressure, clogs, temperature changes, and poor workmanship can cause pipe leaks. When one or more of your pipes develop leaks, you may not notice it immediately, allowing the problem to worsen over time. When you suspect or spot leaking pipes, contacting a professional plumber for prompt pipe leak repair is crucial before the problem gets more extensive and expensive.
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler, we specialize in pipe leak repair. We boast a team of seasoned plumbers with the training and tools to get the pipe repair done right the first time and within the shortest time. We come in fully stocked trucks, so you can rely on us to repair the leak on the spot.
Common Signs of Pipe Leaks
Water leaks in about 10% of households remain undetected, costing them 90 gallons of water daily. No one wants to lose money because of leaking pipes, let alone the thousands of dollars worth of property damage that might result. Thus, it’s imperative to remain vigilant and watch for certain warning signs of leaks in a pipe. The signs of a damaged pipe include:
- Unusually high water bills
- Reduced water pressure
- Wet spots on the floors, walls, or ceiling
- Mold growth
- Peeling paint
- Rusted metal
- The sound of running or dripping water
- Foundation cracks
- Musty smells
What to Do When Pipes Leak
Proactive leak detection and repair is your best line of defense against the effects of leaky pipes. Suppose you find a small leak early on. In that case, you can save hundreds of gallons of water and safeguard the structural integrity of your property. Here are some of the things you can do to mitigate damage:
- Use a pipe bandage – A bandage offers only a temporary fix while waiting for your local plumber. You can buy it at your local hardware store. To apply, turn off the water supply, dry the affected section of the pipe, and use the bandage to tape around the pipe.
- Use a duct tape – A duct tape can temporarily repair leaks in a pipe while you wait for a plumber. You can use it to patch a small leak or form watertight seals around joints. Again, duct tape can help stop water flow, but it’s not a lasting solution.
- Epoxy – If you’re dealing with a pinhole leak, you can stop it with an epoxy. To perform this repair, turn off the water and dry the area. Fill the hole with epoxy and allow it to dry before turning on the water. This will save you some time while waiting for your local plumber.
- Pipe wrap – Pipe wrap can offer a relatively long-term solution. To apply, weave the wrap around the affected area. Once wet, it shrinks and hardens around the pipe, forming a barrier that stops it from leaking as you wait for professional assistance.
Precautions Before Professional Help Arrives
Leaking water is a serious matter. It can cause considerable damage to the surrounding area and present safety concerns for your loved ones, mainly if electricity is involved. That’s why it’s crucial to know the location of your main water shut-off. Each appliance and fixture has a water supply valve, often located behind the toilet, under the sink, or behind the appliance. You may have to turn off the water at the main shut-off valve for a more severe leak. You can find this valve around the foundation of your property or out in the yard.
Moreover, you may need to clear the affected area before your plumber arrives. Ensure that the area that needs repair is easily accessible. Also, you may want to clear away personal items you don’t want damaged. But in the event of a flood, don’t enter the affected area. Vacate the area and contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler right away.
Water Pipe Leak Repair Near Me
If you notice signs of a leaking pipe in your home, you’ll want to get it fixed immediately. As mentioned earlier, a minor leak can cause significant property damage and lead to considerable water waste, resulting in avoidable increases in your water bill.
So, if you need pipe leak repair, contact a professional plumber. Although it might seem easy to locate a loose fitting and tighten it, most water leaks have more than one cause. A professional will accurately identify and repair your leaking pipe quickly and effectively.
PVC Pipe Leak Repair at Joint
PVC pipes are among the most common plumbing pipes used in homes, mainly for sewer systems. Although PVC is relatively durable, you may have problems with the pipes breaking or leaking over time. Luckily, PVC is DIY-friendly and doesn’t need special tools or skills to fix. You can use fiberglass resin tape, pipe burst tape, rubber tape, and epoxy to repair the leak.
Repairing PVC pipe leaks is a relatively simple process. Still, the permanent fixes are more involved and can be intimidating for some DIY enthusiasts. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler, we know all aspects of PVC pipe leak repairs and are committed to fixing leaks right the first time.
Can Pipes Leak Under Concrete?
The plumbing joints or pipes sometimes crack underneath a slab, resulting in slab leaks. Slab leaks usually occur due to faulty pipe installation, pipe corrosion, weakened water lines, or soil shifting underneath a slab. These leaks can go undetected for months, causing your foundation to crack. Fortunately, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler is prepared to come to your property, locate the slab leak, and make effective repairs.
How to Find Pipe Leak in Wall
Signs of water leaks in walls are often subtle, so performing a thorough inspection is the first step to locating the leak. Some signs of wall-mounted pipe leaks include:
- Peeling paint
- Discolored or damp drywall
- Stained or warped wall
- Musty odors
- Puddles of water on the floor near the walls
- Mold growth
Our Non-Invasive Leak Detection Technologies
When we arrive at your home, we’ll first conduct a pressure test to determine if there’s a leak in your home. We’ll close all the faucets outside and inside the house and monitor the water pressure. If the pressure drops, there’s probably a leak. Next, we work to locate the leaking pipes. We use electronic leak detection equipment, pipe energizers, transmitters, and cameras to find leaking pipes accurately and offer an effective solution for your home. Our cutting-edge equipment allows us to locate leaks quickly.
Who to Call for Pipe Leak Repair?
Accurately locating and fixing leaks can be a complex process. Depending on the type of pipe, even a small metal pipe leak can be hard to identify without advanced equipment and in-depth industry training in pipe leak repair. If you suspect a water leak, don’t waste energy and time locating it yourself. The longer you wait to have a professional repair the leak, the more damage your property will suffer. Our seasoned plumbers can identify leaks in a fraction of the time and make permanent repairs.
Pipe Leak or Condensation?
If you’ve been spotting pools of water on the floor underneath exposed pipes, you could wonder if there’s a leak you cannot locate or if the pipes are sweating. To be sure if the water results from condensation, try lowering the humidity level in your home by increasing ventilation. You can slightly crack a window to allow more air and ensure that bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room fans work correctly.
If regulating humidity levels eliminates this problem, you’re dealing with sweating pipes; if not, you have a leak that should be located and remediated to mitigate property damage and prevent potential health risks.
Pipeline Leak vs Rupture
A leak refers to a small crack or hole in the pipe that allows water to escape. In contrast, a rupture is a situation where the pipe has a large opening that allows water to flow freely. A ruptured pipe discharges large amounts of water into the surrounding area. Thus, you should repair it as soon as possible. This situation commonly occurs during winter when the temperatures drop.
Signs of a Ruptured Pipe
If you notice any of the signs below, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler immediately:
- Fluctuating water pressure
- Smelly, discolored water
- Noisy plumbing
- Unpleasant odors
- Persistent mold
- Increased water bills
- Flooding
Trust the Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler Team
Our plumbers are extensively trained and fully prepared to quickly locate and repair leaks, even during a plumbing emergency. We can fix a leaking pipe effectively and efficiently and work hard to keep water systems leak-free. Contact us today to learn more about how we can fix your leaking pipes.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler serves the East Texas cities of Kilgore, Longview, Tyler, and Whitehouse with a team of certified plumbers. In addition to emergency plumbing repair, some of the plumbing services provided by the company include faucet repair, drain services, toilet repair, plumbing fixture installations, tub and shower installations, kitchen sink repair, faucet installation, water heater repair/replacement, and garbage disposal replacement. Call us today at (903) 730-6611 to schedule an appointment!