Utah Leak Locate

Tag: water

  • How to detect a water main or sewer leak

    How to detect a water main or sewer leak

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    How to detect a water main or sewer leak.

    As a home or business owner being able to see the warning signs of a leak in your water main or sewer main can save you from catastrophic damage. We wanted to write a quick article showing some simple ways that allow almost every homeowner to diagnose if they have a leak and determine if they need to call a professional detection company.

    Detecting a water main leak.

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”30052″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Water meter – If you can locate the pressure dial on your water meter you can quickly diagnose if you have a leak. The dial should normally be moving if the water is being used in the house. But, if the dial is moving while there is no water being used, then you most likely have a leak somewhere in your piping.
    Water main – Detecting a water main leak is more complicated. Make sure to shut the water main valve and drain the plumbing. You do this so that you can listen for a leak occurring, just like listening to a running faucet. Putting your ear on the furthest end of the plumbing is a low-tech way to listen for any leaks or unusual noises. Professional leak detection services will utilize complex devices that you could use for this task. If you think there might be a chance of a leak or if you’re unable to detect the leak yourself, it is best to call a trained professional who specializes in diagnosing leaks.

    Detecting a sewer leak

    Running toilet – If you have a running toilet you might have a sewer leak. An easy way to find out if your toilet is running is to shut off the water valve behind your toilet and then add some food coloring or fabric dye to the main tank of the toilet. Wait about 10-30 minutes and look at the toilet bowl. If there is colored water, you have a running toilet.
    Leaking sewer drain – Although a sewer drain leak is commonly mistaken for a water main leak, finding a sewer drain could be easier with these steps. IN most cases, a sewer joint can usually be found near the outside of the foundation wall of the property. If you have a sewer leak, there may be water present on the basement floor. An accurate way to test for a sewer leak is to do another dye test. This is done by removing the cap from the sewer trap that should be on the side of the house. Then pouring some food coloring or fabric dye into the sewer trap. After you should run a sick for a few minutes or flush a toilet. After waiting an hour or so, if you have a leak there should be dyed water pooled on your basement floor or on your foundation wall.

    Do not ignore signs of a leak.

    Remember that the above-provided information is designed to simply help you as a home or business owner to decide if you need to call a leak detection and repair company. Leaks can cause massive amounts of damage especially if they go undiagnosed or happen during weather changes. If you know or suspect you have a leak contact Utah Leak Locate at (801) 613-0969 [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • How to prevent a leak during winter.

    How to prevent a leak during winter.

    [vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Extreme temperature fluctuations put stress on any homeowner’s plumbing. This inconvenience means that the coming of winter could have an impact on your property’s plumbing by the rapid contraction and expansion of water inside the pipes.
    These steps will help you avoid your pipes from cracking in the cold of winter. And will help you prevent leaks as the seasons change.

    Steps you can take to prevent leaks

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    1. Protect pipes from freezing
      As winter temperatures plummet, the water inside your pipes could easily freeze. This causes most piping to burst. This could cause potential flooding to your home or business, a problem that we all want to avoid. To reduce the probability of this happening, wrap all un-insulated pipes in a blanket of foam, or similar insulating material. By keeping your pipes at a higher temperature during winter you decrease the stress that cold temperatures cause.
    2. Fix any pre-existing leaks beforehand
      Any existing leak should be fixed immediately, especially before winter comes or any major climate change that could affect the water inside your piping. If you suspect a leak contact a local leak repair and location company to assist you right away. Much like the windshield on your car, small cracks will grow as water freezes and expands.
    3. Disconnect all outdoor hoses
      Make sure to remove any hoses before the water freezes, it could eventually spread to any connecting faucets and pipes. Which in turn will leave you with a hefty repair bill.
    4. Close and drain outdoor valves
      If you have any outdoor shut-valves, make sure to remove anything connected to it, and drain it thoroughly. Any water that is still in your valves could cause serious damage.
    5. Clean house sump pump
      If you have a sump pump, make sure to clean the sump and the pit on which it sits in. If it should freeze it would cause a blockage in the pump and cause excess water to flood your basement. Save yourself from potential massive flood damage and cleanup bills.

    One final thought about protecting your home from winter leaks.

    Winter should be about huddling inside your warm house and creating unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Avoid your pipes from leaking and the extensive and expensive process of having to have your pipes repaired. Prepare yourself and your piping before winter hits, call your local plumbers to help you get your home or business winterized and ready for the harsh cold winds of winter. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • How to protect your basement from water leaks?

    How to protect your basement from water leaks?

    [vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Even though we live in a desert state, we can usually count on Utah’s weather to be all over the place. As the seasons change we can go from extremely hot and dry forecasts to freezing temperatures with lots of snow. One thing is for certain, home and business owners need to stay on their toes to avoid leaks. Basements are typically one of the key areas where leaks can occur. As the lowest point of the house, basements are oftentimes below accumulating groundwater. Basements are usually the least visited area of the home so any leaks can sometimes go unnoticed for a long amount of time. If you suspect a leak it is important that you call a professional leak detection company for repairs at (801) 613-0969 to schedule an appointment today.

    Protecting your basement from water leaks

    Keep an eye on outdoor water. Accumulating water outside your house is a large culprit behind many basement leaks. This is especially true if you live on the east bench in the Sugarhouse or the Cottonwood Heights area with a lot of hills. As a homeowner, we recommend that you keep your gutters clean and free of debris. It is also essential that ground and rainwater is properly running away from your home so it cannot accumulate around the base of your house. If necessary you may want to consider either a sump pump or even french drains to help with transferring the water. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”30043″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Check for cracks and holes in and outside your home. Cracks in your walls, concrete slabs or outside the house need to be fixed, especially before winter happens and water is allowed to freeze and expand those cracks. These types of issues are almost a sure-fire way to ensure that water will leak into your home. Foundational cracks and holes can arise from the home setting, too much outside water pressure on the house or even poor initial construction.

    Notice the signs of a leak. Water leaks are an inconvenient nuisance. They are however typically easy to detect once the damage has begun. We recommend that homeowners visit this basement regularly to check for water leaks, especially during and after heavy rainfall. You can notice things like visible damage to your walls, water accumulating inside your home, the smell of rainwater or mold inside your basement. You may also be able to hear a leak occurring by listening for the sound of running water.

    Staying on top of leaks

    By staying vigilant you can keep on top of leaks both inside and outside your home. If you see the warning signs of a leak it is best to take care of the issue right away to avoid further damage and potentially higher repair costs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • How to determine if you have an underground leak?

    [vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]When it comes to water leaks residents can usually use their senses to notice the warning signs of a leak. Dripping water can sometimes be noticed by the moldy or mildewy smell they leave behind. Obviously, if you can visually see water running then you know you have a leak, but in cases where the leak is hidden behind a wall or even underground, you have to use your ears to listen for a possible leak. You can probably imagine several different areas in your home or business where a leak can occur. Images of looking under your kitchen sink to see a small drip usually comes to mind. What may not come to mind right away are underground leaks, especially ones that are outside of your home.
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    Warning signs of an underground leak

    An increase in your water bill. We always recommend that homeowners take note of their monthly water bill. If you see a sudden increase in charges that you cannot explain it could mean that you are experiencing a leak somewhere inside or outside of your home.
    Signs that water has been running or dripping. Running water can cause damage by corrosion or even from sweeping away load-bearing dirt and rocks. In extreme cases, leaks can even cause a sinkhole or areas of concrete slabs or sidewalks to the dropdown.
    Water collecting or leaving dark water spots. Much like seeing the damage water can cause, you should keep an eye out for water collecting in puddles that never seem to dry out. You can also see wet marks on the sidewalk or pavement even if the sprinklers haven’t run recently or rain has fallen.

    Professional underground leak detection

    So what do the professional companies do to locate leaks? The good news is that with the latest technology a leak detection company can locate all your sewer and water main leaks with almost pinpoint accuracy. This is achieved by utilizing sonic equipment that can “listen” for leaks. Many of our technicians describe even the smallest leak sounds like a running creek when using this equipment. By using top of the line tools contractors can pass those benefits on to the customer. This accurate detection means less of your property has to be dug up, reducing not only the impact of the repair but also the cost to repair. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]