There are few things worse than a leak in your floor, ceiling, or walls. All of us get that lurching in our chests when we see that kind of leak because we know it’s going to be a lot more work to repair than a simple leaking faucet or toilet.
The truth is that this type of leak can be fairly serious, and it can take a plumber a lot of time and effort to find the leak, expose the plumbing, repair the leak, then replace the damaged portion of your wall, ceiling, or floor. And that’s not even getting into the cost!
Thankfully, there is a simple solution for finding and fixing leaks: a sound leak detection test. A sound leak detection test is a specialized test that involves the use of electronic sound equipment. The equipment is a box that comes with a pair of headphones and a microphone. The plumber wears the headphones and places the microphone on the floor near the leak. The box picks up the sound of the leak (water trickling through copper or steel pipes), and amplifies it so you can hear it in your headphones. At the same time, it will register how loud the sound is. The plumber will then move the microphone around until they find the spot where the sound is at its loudest. THAT is where the leak is, and that is where the plumber will do the repairs.
Now, be warned: this type of test will ONLY work on metal piping. If you have copper or galvanized steel pipes, the sound leak detection equipment should be able to locate the source of the leak without trouble. However, it will not work on PVC or plastic pipes.
If your plumbing has sprung a leak—due to ground movement, internal or external pressure on the pipes, electrolysis, debris from the concrete, overlapping pipes, chlorinates, or hot soils—this is one of the best ways to pinpoint the source of the leak. Your plumber will then be able to uncover the leaking section of the pipe, analyze what caused the leak, and fix it. It makes the task as quick as possible and reduces the amount of damage your plumber will do to your walls, floors, or ceilings.
Not all plumbers offer this type of sound detection test. The equipment is costly and requires training to use correctly, so not all plumbing services will make the investment. However, if you want to make your plumbing repairs as efficient and budget-friendly as possible, it’s smart to contact a plumber that does offer the service. The equipment makes it easier for your plumber to find and repair the leak, with as little damage to your home as possible.
