Leaks can occur at almost any point in your plumbing system. While connections, bends and fittings are the most common places where leaks can pop up, after a few years any section of the piping may be vulnerable to pinhole leaks and hairline cracks. Needless to say, leaks behind your walls are much more difficult to locate than leaks in exposed pipes and fixtures, and leaks in underground pipes are almost impossible to find on your own.
If you have a leak in a pipe that is behind a wall, a good way to start looking for it is to locate any wet spots that appear on the wall or water on the floor. Keep in mind, however, that a spot of water damage on the wall will probably not indicate the exact location of the leak – water will often follow the length of the pipe and start to drip off the pipe far from where the leak actually originated. Use damaged spots as a start, but don’t assume that they will reveal the exact location of the leak. Next, study the layout of the pipes to see if you can find the leak by tracing all of its possible sources.
If you have access to the pipes, there are a few steps you can take to find the leak. First, check all visible and accessible pipe fittings and bends. Eliminate as many non-leaking sections as possible so you can hone in on the spot that’s leaking. If you can’t narrow the leak location down to one or two sections of pipe, you’re probably best off calling a professional plumbing company to help you locate it – most professional plumbing companies have special equipment that enables them to easily find leaks while doing as little damage to your home as possible.
In Montgomery and Prince George’s County, Maryland, pinhole leaks in copper pipes are a huge (and quickly escalating) problem. While the exact cause (and solution) are still unknown, there are a few things you can do to protect your home from pinhole leaks:
Shut off your water at the main valve every time you leave your home
Check your water meter once a week – if it registers more water use than you are using, call a plumber
Make sure your homeowner’s insurance policy covers damage caused by leaking pipes, including the cost to demolish and restore access to the leak. Take extra care to make sure that the reimbursement is for the actual cost of the job, not just the depreciated value of damaged items.
Don’t let a leak in your pipes cost you money (or your home!). If you need help finding a leak in your pipes, call Magnolia Plumbing today!