Detecting Water Leaks Under Concrete in Your Backyard
In my line of work, I find that there are usually two very distinct types of plumbing leaks. The first type of leak is the kind that’s easy to spot, so you know right away where it’s coming from. The second, though, is the one that you don’t notice nearly as quickly because it’s happening somewhere out of sight and out of mind.
These are leaks that happen in your walls, underneath your lawn, or, maybe worst of all, under the concrete of your patio. I saw one case recently where this had happened and the homeowner didn’t even notice until all of a sudden the concrete started to crack. That, obviously, is a pretty bad scenario. Ideally, you’d be able to spot a leak like that before major damage happens. That’s why, today, I’d like to talk about how to detect a water leak under the concrete in your backyard.
It literally pays to be able to spot a leak under your concrete patio—and to be able to do it quickly. Once these leaks really take root, the damage they cause tends to get worse and worse—and also more expensive—the longer they go unchecked by a residential plumbing expert. With these tips I’m about to share with you today, though, you should be able to spot them when they can still be fixed without as much costly impact.
How to Detect a Water Leak Under Concrete
There are three main tips that I give to any homeowner who’s trying to figure out how to detect a water leak under concrete. Let’s took a look at each of them below:
Water Leak Detections Tip #1: Low Water Pressure
If there is a water leak under a concrete patio in your backyard, chances are that it’s a pretty sizable one because the pipes in that part of your plumbing are usually pretty large. That means that this sort of leak has the potential to reduce the water pressure elsewhere in your home. So, if you start to notice less pressure in your showers or from your other fixtures, I’d suggest reaching out to a plumbing professional immediately to find out what’s going on.
Water Leak Detections Tip #2: A Higher Water Bill
Another indicator of a burst pipe or a leak beneath your backyard concrete patio is a higher water bill. A leak will mean that water is escaping in large amounts. Using that much water can really add to your bill. So, if you notice a far above average spike, it’s generally a good idea to get in touch with a plumber.
Water Leak Detections Tip #3: Soggy Grass or Dirt Near Concrete
It’s no secret that here in the Sacramento area we have some of the hottest and driest summers in the state. This can be unpleasant when the temperatures get up too high, but it can also be of help when it comes to how to detect a water leak under concrete in your backyard before it becomes too much of a problem. Our climate here means we don’t get much rain during the summers, so if all of a sudden you notice that the grass or dirt around your patio is wet, this could mean there’s a water leak under the concrete that’s causing this to happen. Again, in this scenario I highly recommend reaching out to a plumbing expert ASAP.
What to Do Once You’ve Found a Leak
As you may have noticed above, all three of those potential causes had one thing in common: if you notice them, a good move is to immediately get in touch with a professional plumbing service so that you can quickly and efficiently determine what exactly is going on. The simple fact of the matter is, trying to access the area beneath your backyard concrete where pipes are located is a really intensive job, one that’s best left to the professionals.
…trying to access the area beneath your backyard concrete where pipes are located is a really intensive job, one that’s best left to the professionals.
In fact, chances are good that if you do attempt to do this work yourself, you could end up doing more harm than good. A professional plumber can figure out the likelihood of a leak, and they can also start the process of fixing it. This is a very good thing because, as we learned above, chances are that leak is costing you more and more money every day that it goes unchecked.
Obviously, there is no such thing as a good water leak under the concrete in your backyard. If you have one, you’re probably in for an extensive repair project. There is, however, a great deal of value in identifying this leak quickly and initiating the repair process. The longer that a leak in that area goes unchecked, the more likely it is to raise your water bills or even to damage the concrete that it’s beneath.
If you suspect you might have a leak at any time, I highly recommend reaching out to us at Bell Brothers. We have the expertise and experience that you can rely on to not only find the leak, but to also ensure that it gets fixed as quickly and reliably as possible. Time really is of the essence here, so don’t waste it!
Contact the plumbing professionals at Bell Brothers if you suspect that you may have a water leak under the concrete in your backyard patio. Our trained plumbing professionals can determine whether you have a problem and what the best solution to fix it would be.
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