If you need help identifying an underground water leak, contact the plumbing experts at Iron Mountain Plumbing. Call (435) 422-4667 today!
Identifying pipe leaks early is essential to prevent extensive water damage and preserve your piping system’s structural integrity. However, spotting underground pipe leaks isn’t always easy. That’s why our team at Iron Mountain Plumbing is here to explain how to tell if a pipe is leaking under the floor.
Iron Mountain Plumbing is your premier destination for professional plumbing and leak detection services. For experienced plumbers in Hurricane, Utah, look no further than our team.
Eight Signs of an Underground Pipe Leak
Many plumbing pipes run underneath your property and transport waste and blackwater into Hurricane’s sewer system. Unfortunately, sometimes, these pipes crack and corrode, creating vexing hidden water leaks that can wreak havoc on your property incredibly quickly. Many homeowners don’t notice underground pipe leaks until it’s too late, resulting in significant water damage that requires a small fortune to repair.
Although identifying underground pipe leaks is often challenging, it isn’t impossible once you understand the telltale signs. Continue on to learn how to tell if a pipe is leaking under the floor.
1. Check the Water Meter
Water meters measure the volume of water running through your home’s piping system. Checking your property’s water meter can help you uncover potential leaks and determine their severity.
First, assess your water meter before turning off your home’s water supply and plumbing appliances. You can shut off your water supply via the main shutoff valve.
After turning off your home’s water, recheck the water meter to see if anything changed. If the meter changes, you likely have a fast-flowing leak and must contact a professional plumber immediately.
If the water meter doesn’t change immediately, wait about 30 minutes and reassess the meter. Water meters often need time to detect slow-flowing leaks and won’t display immediate changes.
If the water meter changes after thirty minutes, you potentially have a slow-flowing leak.
2. Reduced Water Pressure
Pipe leaks often reduce your home’s water pressure. However, unlike above-ground pipe leaks that only affect one fixture, underground leaks affect each one. If you notice a sudden decrease in water pressure on every one of your plumbing fixtures, contact an experienced plumbing company for immediate service.
3. High Water Bills
Leaky pipes waste countless gallons of water over time, causing your monthly water bills to soar sky-high. Your payments will continue to increase and leave your property severely water-damaged.
It’s best to contact a professional plumbing service for a pipe leak inspection as soon as you notice an increase in your water bills. Many companies offer video inspections that will uncover the leak, allowing the plumbers to resolve it before it worsens. This will make your water bills more affordable while protecting your property from water damage and other issues.
4. You Hear Running Water or Similar Sounds
Many leaks make unusual sounds that leave many homeowners scratching their heads. Some sound like running water, while others replicate spraying noises. If you hear any of the following and none of your plumbing fixtures and appliances are running, you might have an underground pipe leak:
- Hissing
- Whistling
- Dripping
- Spraying
5. Foul-Smelling Odors
Pipe and sewer line leaks often emit foul-smelling odors that can overtake your property incredibly quickly. They typically smell like waste, must, or mold, making living in your home nearly unbearable. Some mold spores are incredibly dangerous and can lead to severe health problems if inhaled.
If you suspect a pipe leak and notice unpleasant smells in or around your home, consider contacting a plumber.
6. Sudden Floor Stains
Many underground pipe leaks cause significant floor damage over time. They create unsightly stains and discoloration in carpeting, warp hardwood floors, and crack exterior concrete walkways. The damage will worsen the longer you put off repairing the leak.
Always contact a professional plumber as soon as you notice floor damage your family didn’t cause. Although stained carpeting and warped flooring can occur for numerous reasons, it’s often a telltale sign of underground pipe leaks.
7. Lawn Flooding
Sometimes, underground pipe leaks can flood your lawn with water or raw sewage. Flooding can cause severe property damage and create a serious health hazard if it contains waste and blackwater. It can also leave your property smelling like a sewer while leaving it susceptible to other issues.
You must contact a professional plumbing service to repair the leak and prevent further flooding. Professional plumbers will also explain how to safely restore your property and remove any sewage before it impacts your family’s health.
8. Foundation Cracks
Many slab and underground pipe leaks allow water to seep into your home’s foundation and crack its structure. Although foundation cracks might not seem significant, they can weaken your home’s structural integrity and spread to your walls and floors.
Although foundation cracks can form for numerous reasons, if they develop around the same time as other leak indications, contact a plumber and schedule a pipe inspection.
Understanding your piping system’s layout will also help you determine if a leaky pipe created foundation cracks. If you have a schematic showing your home’s piping system, examine it to see if the cracks developed along the pipes’ route. If the cracks formed close to the pipes, you likely have an underground leak.
Our team has extensive underground pipe repair experience and will restore your plumbing system’s performance at a price that fits your budget.
Contact Iron Mountain Plumbing for Unmatched Plumber Services in Hurricane, Utah
If you want to learn how to tell if a pipe is leaking under the floor, contact Iron Mountain Plumbing. Our plumbers can handle even the most laborious plumbing projects while providing the highest quality customer service every step of the way.
From pipe leak repair to fixture replacement services, our plumbers do it all. Give our team a call at (435) 422-4667 or reach out to us online and book your appointment in Hurricane, Utah, today!