Plumbing Leaks

There are various types of plumbing leaks that can occur in your home’s pressurized (hot & cold) water pipes and drain lines. Some leaks are easily found by visual inspection, while other leaks are difficult to diagnose, locate and repair.

Sub-surface leaks (slab leaks) are difficult to locate because they produce no visual clues as to what type of leak is present, let alone the location. Under these circumstances it is best to call a leak detection company that has the experience and equipment to locate the leak.

If leak detection is not performed to locate the leak, the only alternatives are to begin cutting holes in walls and floors to try to get an idea of where the leak is located or re-pipe the property. Both of these alternatives can be very costly and at times unnecessary.

At Leak Tracker, we have the experience and equipment to quickly locate your leak. Once the leak is found we will contact your plumber to describe the source and location of the leak. If you do not have a plumber, Leak Tracker can recommend a plumber in your area that is fully licensed, insured and capable to repair your leak.

Slab Leaks

Slab leaks occur in hot and cold water pipes under the concrete foundation of your home. Slab leaks are typically the most difficult leaks to locate since there are no visual clues.

Common slab Leak symptoms:

• High water bill
• Constant sound of running water in the pipes
• Hot water temperature is low or reduces very quickly

At Leak Tracker, we have the right combination of equipment and experience to locate the source of the slab leak. The process typically takes 1-2 hours to locate the leak. Once the leak is found we can excavate, expose and place a temporary clamp on the leak. This gives the homeowner the opportunity to have water use until a licensed plumber arrives to make the permanent repair.

Above The Slab Leaks

Leaks that occur above the slab generally provide clues to their location.

These clues include:

• Visible water intrusion
• Wet carpets
• Wall and baseboard discoloration
• Wood floor damage

For above the slab leaks, Leak Tracker utilizes a combination of moisture detection and ultrasonic equipment to quickly identify the source of the leak. These leaks can become difficult if the source of the leak is hidden in a wall or enclosed by cabinetry.

Drain Leaks

Drain leaks are often misdiagnosed as pressurized leaks on the hot or cold water pipes. At Leak Tracker we use a combination of visual inspection tools and moisture detection equipment to isolate and locate the source of the drain leak.

Symptoms for drain leaks are:

• Visible water intrusion
• Bad odor
• Insects near the source of bad odor.

Service Main Leaks

Service main leaks occur between the water meter and home. These leaks occur in pipe that is trenched into the ground and covered by a variety of surfaces such as grass, asphalt or concrete.

Symptoms for Service Main Leaks are:

• High water bill
• Spongy yard
• Water seeping through cracks in the concrete or asphalt

At Leak Tracker, we use the right combination of equipment and experience to locate the source of the service main leak. The process typically takes 1-2 hours to locate the leak. Once the leak is found we can excavate, expose and place a temporary clamp on the leak. This gives the home owner the ability of having water until a licensed plumber arrives to make the permanent repair.

Structural Leaks

Leak Tracker utilizes a combination of visual inspection and moisture detection equipment to locate the source of structural leaks.

Types of structural leaks located and diagnosed include:

• Window leaks
• Water intrusion from exterior sources
• Wood floor damage
• A/C condensate leaks

Sewer Odor Detection

Sewer odors can be caused by a number of plumbing related problems such as wax rings from under the toilet, split drain vents, and dried p-traps. Often, the sewer odor will spread to multiple rooms due to A/C ventilation and make the odor appear to be more concentrated in areas that have no relation to the source of the leak. Leak Tracker locates sewer odor leaks by smoke testing the drain lines.

Smoke testing involves forcing smoke-filled air, under pressure, through a sewer line or drainage system. Smoke is introduced into the drainage system with the aid of an air blower. The smoke under pressure will fill the sewer, drain, vent pipes, and any connections; then follow the path of the leak, revealing the source of the problem instantaneously. Only enough force to overcome atmospheric pressure is required and this method will not cause any damage to your pipes. Smoke testing is the most efficient way to locate sewer odor problems in a drain system.