Signs You Have a Hidden Leak
Most leaks don’t announce themselves with a puddle. They show up as small changes that are easy to explain away. If you notice one or more of these, it’s worth having us take a look:
- A water bill that’s higher than usual with no change in how you use water
- The sound of running water when everything is turned off
- Stains, bubbling paint or soft spots on walls and ceilings
- Warm spots on a tile or concrete floor, which can mean a hot water line is leaking under the slab
- A musty smell or mold in a cabinet, closet or crawlspace
- Cracks in flooring or a floor that feels damp
- A water heater that runs more than it used to
How Our Leak Detection Works
Good leak detection means finding the leak before opening anything. We start by confirming there’s a leak at all, often at the meter with every fixture off. Then we isolate parts of the plumbing, test pressure on the hot and cold sides and narrow the search one section at a time. When we know where the leak is, we show you and explain your options.
Hidden Leaks in Walls and Ceilings
Leaks in walls and ceilings often come from a pinhole in an old pipe, a loose fitting behind a shower valve or a supply line in an upstairs bathroom. Water travels along framing before it shows, so the stain is not always under the leak. We trace it back to the source so the opening we make is in the right spot and as small as we can keep it.
Slab Leak Detection and Repair
Many homes in Elk Grove, Natomas and other newer subdivisions sit on concrete slabs with water lines running underneath. When Delta clay soil shifts through wet winters and dry summers, those lines can rub, crack or wear through. A slab leak can soak the soil under your home and damage floors. We locate the leak and recommend the repair that makes sense: a spot repair through the slab, rerouting the line through the walls or attic, or a larger repipe if the pipe is failing in more than one place.
Pipe Repair Once the Leak Is Found
Finding the leak is half the job. The other half is fixing it so it stays fixed. We make the repair with quality materials, then test the system to be sure the leak is gone and nothing else is losing water.
Pipe Repair
For a single leak on pipe that is otherwise in good shape, a repair is usually the right call. We replace the damaged section or fitting and pressure-test the line before we close up.
If we find several leaks on old galvanized, copper that is wearing thin or gray polybutylene pipe, more repairs may only buy time. In that case we’ll tell you honestly, and walk you through repiping as an option. Leaks outside the house on the line from the meter are covered on our water line repair page.
Why Fast Leak Detection Matters
A small leak gets more expensive the longer it runs. Water wears away at drywall, framing, subfloors and the soil under a slab. It feeds mold, and it shows up on your water bill every month. Catching it early often means a smaller opening, a smaller repair and less cleanup.
Here’s how we work: we come out, give you a free estimate on site, get your approval, make the repair, test everything and close you out. All of our work is guaranteed, and you can qualify for financing right from your estimate. If water is coming through a ceiling right now, turn off the main valve and call us. We take emergency plumbing calls every day, Sundays included.
We find leaks for homeowners and businesses all over the area, from older homes in Sacramento to newer neighborhoods in Elk Grove.
Call 2 Brothers Plumbing
If something doesn’t add up, whether it’s a bill, a sound or a stain, don’t wait for it to get worse. We’ll find the leak, show you where it is and fix it right the first time.
Call 2 Brothers Plumbing at (916) 997-6370 or schedule your free estimate. Ask about our current coupons when you call.