A pool of water where it doesn’t belong is a sure sign of a leak in your Atlanta home! Unfortunately, many leaks don’t produce such obvious symptoms, as many occur in spots you just can’t easily see such as behind a wall. This often leads to serious damage before you even know there is a leak! The plumbers of Estes Services explain how to find a water leak inside a wall so you know when to call for leak repair services.
Signs of a Water Leak Behind a Wall
The majority of your home’s plumbing runs under floors and behind walls. Because it is hidden, it is difficult to tell when water is leaking and leak repair services are needed. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a superhero with X-ray vision to detect water leakage behind walls. Instead, you can watch for these symptoms that share the presence of a hidden water leak in your home:
- Peeling paint or wallpaper on the wall
- Water stains or cracks in the ceiling
- Water stains that continue to grow in size
- Cracked or buckled flooring
- Conspicuously wet carpet
- Mold or mildew growth outside of a shower area
- Musty odors in a particular area
- Damp spots on walls or floors
- Dripping sounds you cannot trace
How to Find a Water Leak Inside a Wall
If you suspect you may need leak repair due to a water leak behind a wall, you can gather additional evidence of this problem by using your home’s water meter. A water meter test involves measuring water usage over a certain period.
- Shut off all faucets and water-using appliances throughout the house and outside.
- Go to your home’s water meter and write down the numbers on the dial.
- Keep all water off inside and outside your home for at least a few hours.
- Check the water meter again and write down the numbers on the dial.
If the number on your water meter has increased over this period, it is evidence of a leaking pipe in your home, either behind a wall or elsewhere. With all faucets and appliances off, your home should not have seen any water usage over this test period. The fact that your water meter increased over this time means water went into your home and was allowed to escape somewhere – and you need leak repair to stop it.
What to Do If You Suspect a Hidden Wall Leak
If you suspect there is a leak inside a wall in your Atlanta area home, call a plumber to perform leak repair service right away. You do not want to put this call off, as escaping water causes damage to your home every second it continues.
Avoid further water damage to your home by shutting off the home’s water supply until leak repair service is performed. Turn off water at the home’s main shut off valve – this valve is typically within a few feet of the spot where the main water line enters your house. It may be in a utility room, basement, or inside the crawl space.
How a Plumber Can Find Hidden Leaks
In addition to looking for the clues above, a professional plumber uses various tools to identify the location of hidden leaks for leak repair. These tools can make finding the leak simpler so there is less damage done to your home hunting it down. Moisture meters can be used to detect differences in moisture content, helping the plumber pinpoint the leak’s location. An infrared camera can also be used to show temperature differences in an area. The temperature of the leak’s location will be different from other areas of the wall cavity.
Contact Estes for Leak Repair in Atlanta
If you suspect a leak behind a wall in your Atlanta area home, call Estes Services for leak repair. Our plumbers will find the source of the leak and make quick plumbing repairs to prevent further damage and water waste in your home.
