Leak and Pipe Questions
The expensive leaks are the ones you cannot see. These questions cover finding them, understanding what they cost, and knowing when repeated repairs mean the system itself has reached the end.
Leak and Pipe Questions
My water bill jumped. How do I find the leak?
Run the meter test first: turn off every fixture, read the meter, wait an hour using no water, read again. Then dye-test every toilet, since a failed flapper wastes up to 200 gallons a day and is the most common cause by a wide margin. Then shut off irrigation for a day. Those three steps find most household leaks for free.
What are the signs of a slab leak?
A warm spot on the floor with no heating source beneath it, which is close to diagnostic for a hot line. Also a meter that moves with everything off, an unexplained bill increase, the sound of running water in a quiet house, and damp or buckling flooring. Confirm with a meter test before anyone cuts concrete.
At what temperature do pipes freeze?
Exposed pipe is generally at risk from around 20°F, but location matters far more than the number. Insulated pipe in conditioned space survives days of that; uninsulated pipe in a windy exterior wall cavity can freeze in a few hours at the same temperature.
Does letting faucets drip actually prevent freezing?
Yes, for two reasons. Moving water is harder to freeze, and more importantly an open faucet prevents the pressure buildup between an ice plug and a closed valve, which is what actually splits pipes. A pencil-thin stream from the fixture furthest along the vulnerable run is enough.
When does a house need repiping rather than more repairs?
The test is pattern rather than severity. Two or more leaks in different parts of the same system within a couple of years means the system is failing, because the pipe everywhere else is the same age and condition. Polybutylene justifies repiping regardless of leak history, since it fails without warning.
How do I know what my pipes are made of?
Look at the exposed pipe near the water heater. Copper is reddish-brown metal. Galvanized steel is dull grey and often threaded at fittings. PEX is flexible plastic, usually red, blue, or white. Polybutylene is grey, blue, or black flexible plastic, often stamped PB2110, and is a repipe candidate on sight.
Is a repair clamp an acceptable fix?
As a temporary measure until a plumber arrives, yes, and it is worth having one. As a repair, no. Clamps fail under full pressure without warning, and a clamped pipe that lets go while you are out costs far more than the proper repair would have.
Related services
- Emergency Leak DetectionNon-invasive location of hidden water leaks behind walls, under floors, and beneath slabs using acoustic, thermal, and pressure testing equipment.
- Slab Leak Detection and RepairLocation and repair of water lines leaking beneath a concrete foundation, using acoustic and thermal detection to minimize concrete work.
- Whole-House RepipingReplacement of a home's supply piping where the existing system has reached end of life, using PEX or copper.
- Frozen Pipe Thawing and RepairProfessional thawing of frozen supply lines, plus inspection and repair of any sections that split while frozen.
Related guides
- Why Your Water Bill Suddenly Went UpA jump in water usage with no change in habits almost always means a leak. How to find it yourself, in order of likelihood.
- Slab Leak Warning SignsHow to recognize a leak under your foundation before it undermines the slab, and what to do once you suspect one.
- Frozen Pipes: What to Do Before They BurstA frozen pipe has not necessarily failed yet. Thawing it correctly, and being ready at the shutoff, is what keeps it from becoming a burst pipe.
Other FAQ topics
- Emergency Plumbing BasicsWhat counts as a plumbing emergency, what to do first, and how to tell whether a problem can wait until morning.
- Costs and Billing QuestionsHow emergency plumbing is priced, what the premiums are, and which questions to ask before dispatch.
- Water Heater QuestionsLeaks, no hot water, strange noises, safety valves, and the repair-or-replace decision.
- Drain and Sewer QuestionsBlocked drains, main line backups, recurring clogs, and what not to put down them.
- Hiring and Licensing QuestionsHow to verify a plumber, what to ask before dispatch, and the pressure tactics worth refusing.