http://news.yahoo.com/video/kansascity-kmbc-18211647/water-main-break-encases-home-in-ice-23484048

Shows how important infrastructure maintenance is as well as how hard cold weather can be on your pipes.

Left unchecked, water leaks can be a house’s worst enemy.

“Water is one of the most destructive things to a house,” says David Tamny, president of the American Society of Home Inspectors. “It can account for so many things going wrong in a structure.”

Water damage is the second most-common cause of damage in homes, following fires, says Scott Spencer, world-wide appraisal and loss-prevention manager for insurer Chubb Group.

Leaks that aren’t obvious often produce the biggest issues. “If your bathtub or shower is leaking, you’re going to recognize that quickly and take steps to fix it. The hidden problems, people don’t know to fix,” Mr. Tamny says. As a result, they tend to worsen over time.

Still, if you know what to look for, it’s not difficult to identify water leaks before they flood into bigger — and more expensive — headaches. In addition to watching for spikes in your water bill, which could indicate leaky fixtures, look out for the problems in the following places.

1 The Roof

Your roof can last many years, but it’s important to regularly check on its condition, says Mr. Spencer, “especially after a traumatic event like a hailstorm or a windstorm.” Identifying a roof leak quickly can limit the amount of repair work needed and limit the spread of mold.

Also, you should make a visit to the attic at least once a year, says David Lupberger, home-improvement expert for ServiceMagic.com, which connects consumers with home-improvement specialists. “Make sure that it doesn’t smell musty or moldy,” he says.

Most roofing contractors will offer free roof inspections, but remember, their objective is to find something wrong so they can fix it, Mr. Spencer says.

Another option is to hire a home inspector, Mr. Tamny says. The cost of home-inspection services vary, but if you just want the roof looked at, ask for a partial inspection, which will help keep the expense down.

Skylights also can be vulnerable to leaks because of their location and the challenges they present in installation, according to Chubb. Inside the house, check for any staining in the skylight area, which could be caused by a build-up of condensation.

2 The Basement

The best way to prevent problems in the basement starts outside, Mr. Lupberger says.

“Every spring and fall you should be cleaning your gutters and downspouts, and you want to make sure that water is not puddling next to your foundation,” he says. “Then, walk around the house and make sure there aren’t low points next to the foundation. Ninety percent of water in the basement is due to improper drainage.”

Crawlspaces also should be checked on occasion for signs of mold. “Liquid water is only one part of the equation,” Mr. Tamny says. Humidity can also be destructive, and lead to mold. For that reason, be mindful when setting a humidifier. “Humidity in the house should never be above 50%. The colder it gets, the lower the humidity should be,” he says.

3 Bathroom and Kitchen

Because of the frequency with which people use their bathrooms, it’s likely that problems will be spotted early. Still, there are preventive steps that can be taken so problems don’t have a chance to develop.

The shower and bath area is a vulnerable place for water leaks, making it important to proactively replace the caulk around fixtures every couple of years, Mr. Spencer says.

Also, replace broken toilet flappers, the rubber part in the tank that seals the drain, and address leaky fixtures, says Jimmy Carter, senior director of corporate field services for American Leak Detection. If you hear water running when the bathroom isn’t being used, you could have a problem.

In the bathroom and the kitchen, regularly feel the pipes under sinks to make sure there aren’t any leaks, Mr. Spencer says.

As the weather turns cooler, one of the “fast and furious” water leaks that homeowners encounter occurs when a pipe freezes and bursts, he says. To prevent that, never turn the heat below 55 degrees, he says. On particularly cold days, leave the bottom vanity open so there are no extremely cold temperatures near the pipes.

“Be particularly aware of those water fixtures on exterior walls of the home,” Mr. Spencer says, since those walls will be colder.

4 Appliances

Check washing-machine hoses to make sure they’re not loose fitting or aged. You may see a bulge in the washer’s rubber hose when it’s starting to wear, says Mr. Carter. Hoses become brittle and often require replacing every five to seven years, according to Chubb.

Also keep an eye on your water heater, which Mr. Spencer says is a “classic source of damage from water loss.” Age matters; water heaters typically have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years, he says.

Check the silver plate mounted on the water heater, which includes manufacturer information, Mr. Spencer adds. Look for evidence of leaks around the pipes and at the base of the water heater, as well as rust on any of the parts, according to Chubb.

To protect against these occurrences, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company has expanded its water loss protection program to include premium discounts to eligible policyholders who install a leak detection system like the FloLogic System®.

“Fireman’s Fund is interested in protecting homeowners from water losses which also aids in water conservation. Offering a premium discount to eligible policyholders will give homeowners the additional incentive to install a new device that may prevent such occurrences,” said Lyman Munson, vice president of risk services at Fireman’s Fund.

To read more, visit Earth Times: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/press/program-include-flologic-system,1470773.html

See what the Farmer’s Almanac has to say about the winter of 2010:

According to the 2010 Farmers’ Almanac, this winter will see more days of shivery conditions: a winter during which temperatures will average below normal for about three-quarters of the nation.

A large area of numbingly cold temperatures will predominate from roughly east of the Continental Divide to west of the Appalachians (see map). The coldest temperatures will be over the northern Great Lakes and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. But acting almost like the bread of a sandwich, to this swath of unseasonable cold will be two regions with temperatures that will average closer to normal—theWest Coast and the East Coast.

This video from CBS explains issues with broken pipes and freezing plumbing.

If you suspect you have a leak contact The Original Leak Specialists.

There are four ways that your plumbing will develop a leak under a slab:

1. Corrosion from soil chemicals
2. Abrasion from long term vibration
3. Pressure from human error or shifting ground
4. Construction defect

Slab leaks from corrosion:

Underground pipes make contact with soil on the exterior of the pipe and water on the inside. Water balance and a charged ground could induce electrolysis in metallic pipes, causing corrosion from the inside or outside of the pipe and eventually causing holes in the pipe.

Hot water lines will more likely corrode from the outside in due to the reaction of the heat and the contents of the soil surrounding the pipe.

Cold water lines generally deteriorate from the inside out due to electrolysis being created on the inside of the pipe.

Electric lines running beneath the slab can also energize metallic pipes and induce electrolysis resulting in corroded pipes.

Older homes with copper pipe usually suffer from chronic plumbing failures due to corrosion. Sometimes the situation calls for a complete repiping of the plumbing. Less invasive repairs can be made with an in-place pipe coating depending on the state of the pipes and the construction layout.

Slab leaks from abrasion:

As water travels through plumbing, vibrations, expansion and contracting may cause the pipe to rub against concrete, gravel, rebar, or other pipes depending on the construction. Over time, the constant vibration and abrasion of the pipe will grate the pipe until it springs a leak.

If pipes are insulated and constructed with stabilizing supports, the vibration can be minimized, prolonging the life of the pipes while protecting if from being exposed to excessive wear.

Additionally, bad joints and lack of coupling adhesion can lead to abrasion at the joints, leading to faster and higher volume leaks.

Slab leaks from pressure:

Underground pipes may experience high levels of pressure from earthquakes, or poor construction. Pipes can be crushed or creased under this type of pressure, depending on the area of pressure. Creased pipes may cause a restriction in flow and low pressure. Additionally, a crease, bend or crimp in the pipe will allow uneven wear and the water will eventually create a hole at the problem areas. Crushed pipes can cause massive leaks over time that wash the soil from under the foundation, putting your property at risk of greater damage.

Pipes need to be spaced and insulated properly in order to avoid being crushed or creased. Many times a crushed or creased pipe can be repaired without a full repipe of the home.

Construction Defect:

During construction, faulty workmanship may not only require rework, but also may result in damage to construction work performed by others.

If you hear running water in your home when all should be quiet, means there is flowing water somewhere.

Your home’s plumbing is pressurized and static when all appliances and faucets are in the off position. The sound of running water is created by the vibration of the flow of water against the piping system. It means an outlet from the system is allowing flow. You will need to check all  faucets, toilets, sprinklers, as well as water connected appliances like refrigerators, clothes washers, dish washers, or water purification systems.

If you don’t find visual clues to the source of the sound of water, it could mean you have a hidden leak in the wall or under the slab.

A hot spot on the floor could indicate a hot water line leak in your slab.

Hot water lines are usually insulated and don’t heat the floor unless it was built as a radiant heating system.

If you have pets, you may notice they gravitate to a certain spot on the floor. Check to see if it feels warmer than usual.

Cracks in walls or floors could be damage from a slab leak.

There are several possible factors in the appearance of cracks in walls and floors. If you live in a seismically unstable area, it could instead have to do with shifting ground due to earthquakes.

Even if ground shifting is due to unstable ground, it could also mean the area under your property has been compromised by  water flow from a leak under your slab. If untreated, a water leak could create a massive void under the foundation. This void can put stress on the foundation, and increased stress on the foundation can cause cracks in the floors and walls.

Mildew or excessive moisture under carpets could indicate your slab is cracked and the pipes inside are leaking.

Cracks in a slab due to a leak allow moisture into the flooring. Drywall will wick the moisture up, and create an ideal environment for mold to grow behind the wall. Mold is an environmental hazard and you need to make sure that proper clean up and restoration of the property is performed. Before the restoration is performed, the mold needs to be removed. Then, the location of the source of moisture that feeds the mold can be identified and repaired.

High water bills could indicate a leak. Although a high water bill could indicate a water leak behind the wall or in your pool, plumbing under the slab is also suspect.

Unusually high water bills could occur for several reasons. Sometimes the meter is not working properly and needs to be replaced. You will need to contact your water authority for this kind of issue.

If your meter is working properly, then it comes down to usage.

Conduct the meter test to see if your toilets are leaking or if you have a hidden water leak.

The wrong way:

The right way:

It is pretty easy to understand the way a running fixture makes noise on pipes. Water flows at a rapid rate through the line and causes the pipe to vibrate as the water leaves the outlet. Also, friction created by the water flow against the inside of the pipe sends vibrations that can be detected by the human ear.

The sound created by a leak in the pipe itself is a little more complex to understand. Essentially, the humming sound created by a leak in the pipe is driven by a pressure difference between the water inside the pipe and the ambient atmospheric pressure around the pipe.

When a leak develops in a pipe, a pressure loss occurs in the pipe at the leak site as the pressure in the pipe tries to equalize with the pressure outside the pipe. This pressure loss creates pressure waves that travel in both directions down the pipe and away from the leak. We call this ‘leak energy.’

In most cases, the human ear alone cannot hear this leak energy. It takes electronic leak detection tools that amplify selected sounds. If you can hear the leak energy without equipment, there is a good chance the leak is close by or has developed in size enough to be quite loud.

If the humming sound you hear is not from flow or a leak in the pipe, a contact point between the pipe and a vibrating appliance or machine such as a refrigerator or air conditioning unit could also cause it.

In any of the cases mentioned above, you can save some time and money by taking a look around your home for some obvious clues. Double-check all of your interior faucets and toilets. Check outside hose bibs and valves, too. If you don’t find anything, you may need to call a leak detection specialist to perform further investigation with specialized electronic equipment and professional experience.

• Experience and Resources. We suggest that you determine what kind of experience the firm has in leak detection. How many years have they been in business as a leak detection company? Are they associated with any organization that provides continuing research and development regarding leak detection technology and techniques? What is the ‘depth’ of the organization-what if the guy you are talking to can’t find your leak, is there another level to go to for a ‘troubleshooter’? Is there a real ‘business operation’ or is the company one guy with an answering machine and a cellular phone who may or may not choose to call you back if there’s a problem?
• Guarantee. What if they cannot find the leak? What if they mark the leak in the wrong place? Will they stand by their work and come back? In the business where leaks are mostly concealed, a guarantee is truly comforting.
• Flat Rate Pricing. An efficient leak detection firm will provide a flat rate price for most residential jobs. This means that whether it takes one hour or five hours or even multiple trips to find your leak, they will charge the same rate. Conversely, an hourly rate scenario with an inexperienced technician can set you up for a very large invoice.
• Licensed-Bonded-Insured. Check with your County Contractors Licensing Bureau to confirm that the company is licensed to work in your County. Consider whether they have a Contractors license or just an occupational license. Have you confirmed that the company is bonded? Can they provide you with a certificate of insurance for both workers compensation and liability insurance and are the dollar limits adequate to protect you and your assets?
• Equipment. Make sure the company you choose uses modern electronic leak detection instruments. Simply placing an ear or stethoscope to the floor just does not cut it today.
• Referral. Be sure to contact your insurance company if you believe you have a leak in your home. Many insurance companies have a leak detection specialist they trust and have relied on for many of their claims. Also, there is a chance your insurance company will pay for the leak detection charges. Another good source of information for an experienced specialist is your property management company.

In the unfortunate event that you experience a leak problem, it can be critical to both your pocketbook and your long-term property value that you take the right steps to solve your problem. No one wants to pay excessive fees or incur the property damage that results from having the wrong people on the job.

The first step is admitting you need help.

Since we first published this list last year, the U.S. and global economies have gotten worse. And no one knows exactly when it will rebound, although some experts say we have finally hit bottom.

Some of your competitors may have hit bottom, too, and are no longer your competitors. This type of business climate can really weed out the underperformers — just look at all the out-of-business signs you see everywhere.

Some of these business owners may have just decided they wanted out and didn’t have any formal exit strategy, so they just shut the business down. Others may have not had the business knowledge they needed to prosper, so they had to close up shop or declare bankruptcy.

For contractors in the plumbing and heating industry, you have better options that will keep your employees working and your communities viable and flourishing. The first step is admitting you need help. The second is to decide if you want to stay working on the business or get out. The third step is to examine the different franchise and affinity groups listed here. The next step is to decide on a group or franchise that best fits your business philosophy.

The final step? Take action! If not, one of those out-of-business signs could be in your window.

Read the full article here.

Check out the American Leak Detection franchise opportunities.