Freedom Underground Plumbing is a professional plumbing company that does water leak detection and repair in San Jose, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Mountain View, Santa Clara, Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Palo Alto. Water leaks from different fixtures such as main water lines, sprinkler systems, and leaks under the house are major problems for homeowners as well as the environment. Leaks can sometimes go undetected for significant lengths of time, wasting water and causing property damage. If you noticed your water bill increasing for no obvious reasons and you do not see an obvious leak inside the house, it pays to have a professional check for possible leaks under the house, in landscape irrigation systems, and your main water supply line.
Freedom Underground Plumbing works with different methods to detect water leaks outside of the property as well as underneath. See our leak detection service page for more information.
Do you have a water leak? Call us at (408) 693-6018 or use our contact form.
Water Supply Line Leaks
In cases of severe leaks, the water will come up toward the ground surface, usually directly above the path of the underground pipe. A smaller leak in the water supply line is often difficult to detect because the supply pipe is typically buried at least 2 feet below the ground surface. If your water bill has recently gone up or is higher than you think it should be, you should investigate if you have a water supply line leak. The water supply line pipe between the meter and your house is the property owner’s responsibility, not your water utility’s.
If you suspect a leak in the supply line, check where the water supply line enters the house. If the soil is consistently damp for no reason, that can indicate an underground leak. Another point to check is at the meter box. If it contains water that is not due to recent rain or irrigation run-off, this also may be due to a leak in the supply line either on your property or from the street. Call your water utility company. If there is no obvious water present where it should not be, another way to determine if there is a water supply line leak is to turn off the main valve at the house and any valve(s) that are connected to landscape irrigation systems (irrigation can be connected to the supply before the main valve). With the valves off, check the meter. If the meter still shows water usage even after you have turned off the main valve and any irrigation valves, you likely have an underground leak in the water supply line.
A note on Galvanized Piping
Galvanized piping is the most typical type in homes built from around 1900 to 1980. Galvanized piping has a long life span but it will deteriorate over time. Its main problem is the mineral build-up over the years which corrodes the pipe from the inside out. In addition, a build-up with tartar or debris inside the pipe can cause the water to develop a “metal” taste and add a brownish tinge of color to the water. There is no good repair solution for deteriorated pipes. You will want to replace them with new copper pipe.
Freedom Underground Plumbing is committed to installing new pipe in the most effective way that will last for the next 30-50 years. Our team has the experience and dedication to check common problems that may occur in the future and for that reason, we offer a lifetime warranty to all of our customers to stand behind the installation with the highest standards. We offer free consultations and estimates.