Leak detection has become a popular term these days—but what exactly does it mean? What kind of leak detection methods are there? If you have these questions and more, then you’ve come to the right place! We’re here to answer the question, “What is water leak detection?” 

Many of our first-time clients come to us wondering what leak detection is. That’s why the team at Leak Science was happy to put together this short guide to help you understand the terms and techniques associated with leak detection. If you have questions or want additional information about leak detection, don’t hesitate to call our team at 480-794-0959 or contact us online. We’re happy to help in any way we can!
 

What is water leak detection?

Broadly speaking, water leak detection is a method used to pinpoint the exact location of a leak within a pipe or plumbing system. Because plumbing systems are so vast, most leaks cannot be seen by the naked eye. That’s where leak detection comes in. Leak detection technicians use state-of-the-art technology to search plumbing systems (as well as pool systems) to search for and locate.

Leak detection can apply to gas leaks and water leaks, but Leak Science specializes in water leak detection. That’s why for the remainder of this article, we’ll be talking specifically about water leak detection methods.
 

Why is water leak detection important?

As homeowners, we sometimes neglect our plumbing systems and household appliances until something goes wrong. And by the time we figure out what’s wrong, a leak has already set in. Water leak detection is an important component of home and pool maintenance. We always advise homeowners to address water leaks sooner rather than later. Letting a water leak go unchecked can cause serious damage to your home—and to your wallet! Water bills increase the longer leaks go unnoticed, and standing water can stain walls, floors, and ceilings. Even small leaks can build up over time, leading to hundreds of dollars spent on repair bills.

Because some leaks are invisible to the naked eye, only professional leak detection companies have access to the tools, knowledge, and equipment to locate these problem areas. That’s why it’s important to work with a professional leak detection company that has years of experience in the industry. Technicians are trained to locate and repair leaks quickly and efficiently so you can go back to enjoying your home.

Related Article: DIY Vs Professional Leak Detection 
 

Water Leak Detection Methods

At Leak Science, we use several methods to make our leak detection process as accurate as possible. Here are just some of our water leak detection methods.
 

Pressure Testing

Oftentimes, pressure testing is the first method used when finding a leak. Our technicians will pressurize pipes underground and check for any loss of pressure, which indicates an active leak.
 

Acoustic Technology

After we pressure test and determine that there is a leak, we use our state-of-the-art acoustic technology to listen for air, water, or air bubbles that are escaping from an opening. The tricky part is getting as close as possible to that noise to figure out exactly what it is we are hearing. Luckily, our technicians have years of experience with water leaks and are familiar with even the most complicated plumbing systems.
 

Dye Tests

If you are experiencing a pool leak, one of the ways professionals and homeowners alike check for leaks is by using the dye test.

The process is simple:
 

• Grab some dark food dye (red is usually a good choice) and goggles
   
• When in the pool, go toward the area where you suspect there is a leak
   
• Squirt some food dye into the water, and check to see where it moves
   
• If there is a leak, the dye will move toward the leak area by itself

Related Article: 10 Scary Facts About Pool Leaks 
 

Signs You Might Need Water Leak Detection

Leaks can start small and stay hidden for a long time. Unfortunately, this means that you’re likely to rack up more water bills and risk long-term damage to your home or pool. We want you to feel as prepared as possible to identify leaks, so we’ve prepared a short list of telltale leak signs to look for in your home and pool.
 

For Your Home

 

• Faucets and showerheads that are visibly dripping, even after the water was turned off
   
• Clogs in your tub, shower, or sink drains
   
• Standing water underneath pipes or appliances
   
• Hissing or popping noises coming from pipes or from behind the walls
   
• Persistent odors that linger even after you clean
   
• The sudden growth of mold or mildew on walls, ceilings, and floors
   
• Warped wallpaper or wood floors (especially in areas with excess moisture, like bathrooms)
   
• Water stains on walls, floors, and ceilings
   
• Unusually high water bills

 

For Your Pool

 

• Standing water underneath the pool pump or other pool equipment
   
• Rapid evaporation (more than 2 inches per day)
   
• Cracks in the pool surface, tiles, or flagstone
   
• Cracks in the pool lights
   
• Damage to pool skimmer
   
• Wet spots around the yard
   
• Unusually high water bills

 

Our Leak Detection Process

At Leak Science, our technicians are trained to follow a simple and effective 3-step leak detection process. This process helps us ensure that we are meeting every client’s needs and fixing the leak right the first time around. We’ll explore this process below so you are familiar with our methodology should you ever decide to work with our team.
 

• Diagnose. In order to find the problem, we first have to know what the problem is! Step one is talking with the client to find out exactly what’s going on. Our technicians take the time to listen to each client’s individual needs and figure out what the primary issue is.
   
• Locate. After we’ve listened to the problem, it’s time to get to work! Using state-of-the-art ultrasound technology, our technicians will quickly and accurately pinpoint the source of the leak. We work with hundreds of feet of pipes every day, so no leak is too big or small for our team to handle.
   
• Solve. Once we’ve found the source of the leak and marked it with a big ‘X,’ we get right to work repairing it. Our trained technicians will fix your leak and get everything back in proper working order. We’re even one of the only water leak detection companies in Arizona to offer full-service pool restoration, meaning we’ll restore your pool to its original condition if we have to dig into the flagstone or concrete to access a leak.

 

Professional Water Leak Detection — Leak Science

We hope this article has helped you understand a bit more about water leak detection and the methods involved in the process. We know that leaks can be difficult and stressful to deal with on your own. That’s why the team at Leak Science is here to help!

With over a decade in the leak detection industry, we are Arizona’s go-to water leak detection services company. We love serving our clients and are proud of our 5-star reviews!
If you have questions about water leak detection or our specific methods, please contact us online or call us at 480-794-0959. We look forward to helping you with your next leak problem!