League City Plumbing Repair: Troubleshooting Leaking Pipes

League City Plumbing Repair: Pipe Leak Detection Tips

Should you tackle a water leak as a do-it-yourself project, or should you call a professional plumber? The answer to this question depends on several factors.

A water leak can be just an annoyance. But it can also cause tremendous damage, both indoors and outdoors. The damage can be a slow process or a rush that threatens to quickly soak the surrounding space. For this reason, the first DIY step should be to locate water shutoff valves around the home.

• A shutoff valve can be located under every toilet and sink and near every appliance that uses water.
• The home will have a main shutoff valve at the place where the water supply enters the home.
• There will also be a water shutoff valve at the water meter for single-family homes.

In an emergency, these valves can prevent further damage and facilitate repairs. Be aware of their location.

League City Plumbing Repair: Finding Leaks

Whether a homeowner can repair a water leak depends on its location, and finding the source can be rather tricky.

• Water is governed by gravity and pressure. However, a slow leak may travel along a pipe or joist, masking the true location of the leak.
• Some leaks may be very difficult to reach, hidden behind walls or in crawlspaces under a home.
• Underground water leaks may be hidden 9 or 10 feet underground, making it extremely difficult to reach. Underground leaks eventually wick to the surface, but by the time this happens a significant amount of erosion may have occurred.

League City Plumbing Repair: How Much Water is Leaking?

Often, a slow leak can be repaired by a homeowner, but a high-volume leak usually requires a professional plumber. A homeowner may need to seek instructions on repair methods and the appropriate tools and supplies; all these things will be readily available with a professional plumber.

League City Plumbing Repair: Fresh and Wastewater

Utility companies provide a fresh supply of water and receive/treat wastewater. The type of water might determine whether a homeowner chooses to be involved with the repair.

• Freshwater enters the property and home under pressure: standard pressure ranges between 40 and 80 pounds per square inch, with 60 psi being the desired pressure. Even a pinhole leak under this pressure will leak a tremendous amount of water. These leaks often require a professional plumber. (Remember the shutoff valve locations.)
• Improper repairs can lead to contamination of the freshwater, potentially harming the occupants of the home.
• Wastewater is transported by gravity alone, but a wastewater leak may be no easier to control than a leak under pressure. Gravity is an extremely strong force, and wastewater generally comes in gushes (from toilets, tubs, and washing appliances). Care must be given to prevent the wastewater from contaminating indoor and outdoor spaces.

League City Plumbing Repair: Causes of Leaks

The cause of the leak may give a would-be DIY plumber pause.

• Some leaks result from normal wear and tear, but plumbing materials are designed to last for a long time. “A leak” from normal wear may be a symptom of the need for much broader repairs.
• Sediment and corrosion cause considerable damage to freshwater pipes. One instance of such a problem is a good indication of further trouble.
• Extreme weather situations can create leaks in both freshwater and wastewater lines. Extended freezing temperatures in unconditioned spaces can lead to freezing and burst water lines. Expect the lines to have burst in multiple locations, becoming evidence as the water thaws.
• Flooding and erosion can undercut outdoor pipes, causing leaks in either fresh or wastewater infrastructure.
• Tree roots can be very invasive for sewer lines. A tiny opening is all that a thirsty tree needs to fill the sewer pipe with a tangled network of roots.

The League City Plumbing Repair Experts

Let Doctor Cool assist with all of your League City Plumbing Repair needs. Call Doctor Cool & Professor Heat today at 281-338-8751 or email Doctor Cool and let our professional League City Plumbing Repair Contractors assist with all of your plumbing repair needs.