How Does A Plumber Find Leaking Pipes?

The plumbing system of a house is complex as there are a lot of different components involved in it. Often, due to wear and tear, some pipes might start leaking, thus hampering the functioning of your house’s utility areas. 

If the pipes behind the wall start leaking, they can damage your drywall and may even cause mold build-up inside the house. Moreover, it may also lead to reduced water pressure in the toilets, taps, and faucets. 

However, most of the plumbing work is done behind the walls, making it difficult to find the actual source of leakage. This is why it is best to call the professionals to do the job, as they often have the right tools for accurate leak detection. 

In addition to having the right tools, they will also have the training and experience required to make the best use of those tools to locate the source of your leak accurately. 

You can try looking for the leaky pipe yourself, but it is best if you leave the task to professionals. 

Here is how a plumber finds leaking pipes: 

How Does A Plumber Find Leaking Pipes?

1.  Visual inspection

Firstly, the plumber will inspect your house visually and look out for any signs of possible leaks. The plumber will look at all the exposed pipes and inspect your toilet for any signs of leakage. If your house is equipped with a water heater, the plumber will assess the water readings to determine if excess water is being used. 

2.  Video inspection equipment

When you call an experienced plumber, they will come prepared with a leak detection tool. These tiny video tools have a small camera attached to a cable which they can use to inspect the insides of a pipe. 

They will insert the video inspection tool from the faucets to get a clear view of the pipes from the inside. Using this tool, they can determine the exact location and size of the leak and take action accordingly. 

3.  Listening discs

Besides the video tool, the plumbers might use a listening disc (more commonly known as the ground microphone) to find the leak in your pipes. Even if the pipe is behind the wall, a listening disc can help them locate its exact location. 

As the name suggests, a listening disk helps plumbers ‘listen’ to the sound of dripping water behind the wall. When the plumber puts the disc on a surface, it amplifies the sound and gives the sound output in the headphone, thus allowing plumbers to hear even minute sounds behind your walls. 

It is then up to the plumber to use their experience and skills to differentiate between the sound of running water and leaking water. 

4.  Thermal imaging camera

If the plumber suspects any leaks from an area that is difficult to inspect, they might use a thermal imaging camera to detect the water flow and the point of disruption (leak). This method is used when there is any leakage in hot water pipes. Also, a thermal imaging camera might detect moisture content in a room.

A thermal camera is a much more efficient way of accurate leak detection as you can scan a larger area quickly and effortlessly.

Understanding the complexities of plumbing systems and the methods used to detect leaks can be quite challenging. However, with the right resources and expertise, ensuring the integrity of your home's plumbing becomes manageable. To delve deeper into effective solutions for leak detection and emergency plumbing services, learn more about how professionals address these issues with precision and care."