How to Find a Water Leak Underground

What’s more annoying than a water leak that you can’t find? You need to find and stop all the leaks, but underground leaks will leave you scratching your head. They’re hard to locate and also cause substantial damage if left unchecked. Here’s a quick guide:

To find a water leak underground:

1. 1. Start by turning off all water fixtures and appliances.
   2. Check if the meter is still running, and look for soft, damp spots in your yard or driveway that indicate underground leaks.
   3. Listen for sounds like hissing or bubbling from the ground or use tools like a gas sniffer, dye, or soil probe.

Here’s a more detailed guide on how to find underground water leaks. It starts by discussing the signs of a leak and then moves on to the steps for locating and fixing it.

How to Tell If You Have a Water Leak Underground

You may already know how to find a water leak in your house. But how do you find it if the leak is underground, whether inside or outside of your house?

Before searching for an underground water leak, it’s essential to understand the signs that indicate its presence. These include:

1. Unusually High Water Bills

Unexplained water bill hikes are an indicator of an undetected leak. For many underground leaks, this is the first sign the homeowner notices.

2. Low Water Pressure

A water leak in the main supply can cause a pressure drop throughout your home. It resists the flow of water, causing reduced pressure in your fixtures.

3. Damp Spots

Look for wet or soft spots on your lawn or driveway. These are tell-tale signs of a hidden leak underground.

4. Soggy Patches in Yard

In addition to damp spots, you may also notice areas of your yard that remain green while others turn brown due to constant moisture from an underground leak.

5. Unusual Sounds

Listen for hissing, bubbling, or gurgling sounds coming from the ground, particularly near pipes and mains.

6. Elevated Moisture Levels

If you have access to a moisture meter, use it to check the moisture levels in your yard. High levels could indicate an underground water leak.

Tools and Equipment for Detecting Underground Water Leaks

Tools and machines make work easier, and it could be impossible to trace and fix all underground water leaks without them. Some of the essential tools and equipment include:

1. Gas Sniffer

This tool detects gas molecules that escape from pressurized pipes or mains. While designed more to detect gas leaks than water ones, a high concentration of gas in one area could indicate a leak.

2. Acoustic Leak Detectors

These enable you to hear sounds from underground pipes, helping you accurately pinpoint their location.

3. Thermal Imaging Cameras

These cameras detect temperature differences in the ground, which could indicate an underground leak.

4. Pipe Locators

These devices use electromagnetic fields to locate metallic pipes underground. They are beneficial for narrowing down the search area for a leak.

5. Soil Probes

Soil probes can be used to test the ground’s moisture levels. Some probes also have sensors that detect changes in soil moisture, which could indicate a leak.

6. Endoscopes

Attach these miniature cameras to long, flexible tubes and insert them into pipes and drains so you can inspect for visible leaks or blockages.

7. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

This technology uses high-frequency radio waves to create an image of what is beneath the ground’s surface, including underground pipes and water mains.

8. Infrared Cameras

Like thermal imaging cameras, infrared cameras can also detect temperature differences in the ground, helping locate potential leaks.

9. Pressure Sensors

These sensors can be placed along underground pipes to monitor pressure levels and detect drops that could indicate a leak.

10. Dye Testing

This method involves putting a colored dye into the plumbing system and then looking for signs of the dye on the ground’s surface. If there’s a leak, the dye appears above ground, indicating its location. Be sure to verify what kind of pipes the dye would be passing through and make sure you’re using a dye that’s safe for those pipes.

11. In-Pipe Video Inspection

This method requires specialized mini cameras mounted on long tubes to allow visual inspection inside pipes. It can help locate obstructions or damage that could be causing leaks.

How to Find an Underground Water Leak

As discussed, there are various methods and tools available to locate an underground water leak. No matter which methods you decide to try, it’s essential to approach the search systematically and use a combination of techniques for accurate results.

Remember, failing to find the underground leak could cause water-mold damage sooner rather than later. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the steps to follow when trying to find an underground water leak:

1. Gather Information

Start by gathering as much information as possible about the suspected leak. Consider the location of the main water line, any recent changes in water usage or bill amounts, and any noticeable changes in moisture levels or standing water.

2. Inspect Visible Pipes and Fixtures

Check all visible pipes and fixtures for signs of leaks, such as dampness, corrosion, or water stains. Underground leaks can occur in your house’s interior and exterior plumbing, so be thorough in your inspection.

3. Look for Signs of Leak Above Ground

Look for any unusual wet spots or standing water in your yard that could indicate an underground leak. Use your sense of smell to locate the leak – water leaks often have a musty or moldy odor.

4. Listen for the Sound of Running Water

If you suspect a leak, turn off all water appliances but allow the main valve to remain open. Listen carefully for any sound of running water, which could indicate an underground leak.

5. Examine Your Yard, Basement, and Foundation

Check your yard for any unusual dampness or pooling water. Inspect your basement and foundation for cracks, moisture, or discoloration.

These could be signs of an underground leak that has seeped into your home. If that’s the case, here’s a resource on how to fix a water leak in the basement.

6. Use a Leak Detection Device

If you have trouble locating the leak by sight or sound, consider using a leak detection device. You probably won’t have professional leak-detection tools like infrared cameras or endoscopes, but you could try more accessible methods like dye testing first.

7. Call a Professional Plumber

If you can’t locate the leak’s source on your own or it seems like a complicated issue, it’s always best to call a professional plumber. If you’re in a rental property, you may want to figure out who is responsible for a water leak in rented property.

Experts use specialized leak detection tools like gas sniffers, magnetic pipe locators, and soil probes. They’re also highly skilled and experienced in identifying and repairing underground leaks.

When to Call a Professional

We can bet you one thing; it’ll take you much longer than it would take a specialist to find an underground leak in your home. It’s even less likely that you can make more lasting and effective repairs.

We advise always calling a professional when there’s a leak at home. You may have some skills and tools to handle simple leaks, but the more complicated or persistent the problem is, the more likely it is that you’ll need a professional. Just be safe and avoid making the problem worse.

Preventing Future Underground Water Leaks

Another perk of hiring a professional is guidance on preventing future underground water leaks. We offer suggestions such as regular maintenance checks and using durable materials when making repairs.

Be proactive to avoid future problems by hiring a professional plumber and fixing repairs before the problem compounds. If you’re unsure about how to handle a particular leak, it’s best to consult an expert.

Underground water leaks can lead to costly damages if not addressed promptly. Call us for any type of water and mold damage repair in Lancaster, KY, and surrounding areas!