Posts Tagged ‘leak detection’

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Become a “Leak Detective” during Fix-A-Leak Week

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

Looking for ways to save money during the current recession? Here’s a suggestion: Check your home for “hidden” water leaks. March 15-21 marks the EPA’s Fix-a-Leak Week, and it’s a great time to run some simple tests to see if your money is, literally, going down the drain.

These EPA statistics are real eye-openers:
• A leaking toilet can waste up to 90,000 gallons of water in 30 days. At today’s rates, that can add up to $500 to a single water bill.
• A single, pin-hole sized leak in a pipe or faucet fitting can waste almost 360,000 gallons of water in a year. If the hole is in a metal pipe, at 40 psi, water is lost at a rate of 2,500 gallons in just 24 hours.

And, money isn’t the only thing you’ll save if you take care of those sneaky leaks in your home. Undetected leaks can cause your floors to buckle or allow mold to take hold – problems that can be expensive and difficult to reverse.

Here are a couple of ways you can become a “leak detective” in your home:

• Check your water bill during the winter months. If your family of four is using more than 12,000 gallons of water per month, chances are you have a serious water leak.

• Run a water meter test. Pick a time when you will not use any water for a two-hour period, and jot down the readings on your water meter. Check the meter again at the end of the two-hour period. If the reading has changed, you probably have a leak. So, how do you begin tracking down the leak? Well, you can eliminate the toilet tank as the source of the leak by shutting off the valves under all the toilets in your home or building, and then conducting the meter test again for at least 30 minutes. If the numbers on the meter don’t change, you probably have a toilet leak. If they still change, even when the toilets have been shut off, then you may need a leak detection specialist to pinpoint the source of the leak.

• Conduct a dye test. If you suspect a toilet leak, place a couple of drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. Do not flush the toilet for 15 minutes. If the color shows up in the toilet bowl, you have a leak. (Flush the toilet immediately at the end of this test to avoid staining the tank and bowl.)

These simple tests won’t cost you a penny, but they can save you a lot. And, repairing water leaks promptly makes sense, not only for your budget but for our water supply, too.

If you need help tracking down the source of a leak, the trained technicians at American Leak Detection can help. We use state-of-the-art technology and equipment to detect leaks, using the most non-invasive leak detection possible, to minimize disruption and expense in repairing even the most difficult leaks.

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Posted in EPA, Water Conservation, Water Conservation News | No Comments »

Water Solutions Provider American Leak Detection
Garners Top Recognition

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

American Leak Detection Honored by Entrepreneur Magazine

January 04, 2011 // Franchising.com // Palm Springs, CA – Palm Springs based American Leak Detection, Inc., a leader in the accurate, non-invasive detection of water and other leaks, has received top honors from Entrepreneur® Magazine.

For the ninth straight year, Entrepreneur® Magazine ranked American Leak Detection No. 1 in its category in its Franchise 500. Entrepreneur® Magazine researches and analyzes hundreds of franchise companies to determine the best in specific industry categories. Companies are judged on many factors including financial strength, stability, growth rate, number of years in business, with an independent CPA review of financial data.

“Given the serious water availability and infrastructure issues throughout the world, our mission is to create a leading environmental services and technology company focused on water intelligence, detection, conservation and remediation,” says Stan Berenbaum, CEO of American Leak Detection. “We are proud to be recognized, proud of our commitment to the environment and thankful for our dedicated customers, employees, franchisees and business partners.”

Entering its 36th year of business, American Leak Detection operates a network of highly trained leak specialists in the United States and seven other countries who specialize in the accurate, non-destructive detection of hidden water, sewer and other leaks. With a growing interest in franchising opportunities, American Leak Detection possesses a franchising competitive advantage with its operating history, proven system, brand recognition and the worldwide demand for its product and service solutions.

“We believe strongly in helping solve our customers’ water problems and are excited about the tremendous growth opportunities ahead,” added Berenbaum.

For more information about American Leak Detection or its franchise opportunities, go to www.americanleakdetectionfranchise.com.
About American Leak Detection
Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Palm Springs, California, ALD is a leader in the accurate, non-destructive detection of hidden water, sewer and other types of leaks. For the past nine years, ALD has been ranked #1 in Entrepreneur® magazine’s “Maintenance Products and Services” franchise sector. In February 2008, The Wall Street Journal named ALD to its list of the top 25 high-performing franchises. ALD is dedicated to water conservation, resource protection and the providing of eco-friendly services.
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Posted in Franchise Opportunity, Leak Detection Industry, Water Conservation News, Water Infrastructure News | No Comments »

A How-To Guide for Checking for Water Leaks

Friday, December 17th, 2010

December 14, 2010 — Pesky water leaks don’t always make themselves known through audible drips or visible puddles. In fact, the most troublesome leaks can often go undetected and cause homes or businesses to waste thousands of gallons of water as a result. Identifying water leaks, however, does not require sophisticated tools or machinery. With the help of some tips provided by American Leak Detection serving Massachusetts, anyone can detect a leak before the matter gets out of hand.

“With local residents working on curtailing costs and environmental resources, fixing water leaks should be considered a priority for the community,” said Jimmy Carter, owner of American Leak Detection serving Massachusetts. He goes on to put things in perspective by noting that a leak the size of a pinhead can waste 360,000 gallon of water a year – an amount enough to fill 12,000 bathtubs to the overflow mark.

According to Carter, members of the local community should be constantly vigilant of the water use in their homes. He says the following steps should be taken regularly to accurately monitor for possible water leaks:

- Check for changes to the water meter when there is no water being used – mark the indicator on the meter; don’t use any water for an hour; then check the meter. If the indicator moved, a leak may be present.
- Compare water bills from month to month to see if the bill escalates over a period of weeks or months.
- Inspect walls or floors for wet, spongy, moist or discolored areas.
- Examine building foundation for cracks, uneven growth of vegetation or earth shifts.
- Conduct a “Bucket Test” to check pools and spas for water loss. A loss of one-eighth inch or more of water in 24 hours is suspicious.
- Monitor the pool’s automatic filler; if it is continually releasing water, there may be a leak.

“If members of the local community notice any of the above symptoms occurring at their home or business, they should contact a professional immediately,” said Carter. “Left unaddressed, water leaks can cause costly damage to a building’s structure that may require labor-extensive repairs.”

American Leak Detection serving Massachusetts specializes in the accurate, non-destructive detection of hidden water, sewer and other leaks. Using proprietary equipment and methods, leaks are located without destroying walls or digging holes, thereby avoiding unnecessary property and other damage.

For detailed directions on the Meter Test and Bucket Test, please visit www.americanleakdetection.com. For more information about American Leak Detection serving Massachusetts, please contact Jimmy Carter at 800-755-6697.

About American Leak Detection
Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Palm Springs, California, American Leak Detection is dedicated to resource protection and eco-friendly services. American Leak Detection is the world leader in the accurate, non-destructive detection of all types of leaks including hidden water and sewer leaks. From swimming pool cracks to concealed plumbing systems, the smallest leak is located with the most advanced, sophisticated electronic devices – without bashing holes in walls or digging up the deck or yard. For the last nine years, American Leak Detection has been ranked #1 in Entrepreneur® magazine’s “Maintenance Products and Services” franchise sector. In February 2008, The Wall Street Journal included American Leak Detection on its list of the 25 top high-performing franchises. For more information on American Leak Detection, call 800.755.6697 or visit www.americanleakdetection.com.

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Posted in Water Conservation, high water bills | No Comments »

Ask the Leak Specialist – June 2010

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Our question comes from Claudette in Missoula, Montana. She writes:

I have a large (man-made) pond in my back yard. While I believe it’s leaking, I don’t know for sure. Can it be tested?

small_aquasnoop_pond

Dear Claudette,

Absolutely. Modern leak detection technology has made it possible to test large water-holding structures such as ponds and fountains for leaks.
Depending on the amount of the water loss, the size of the circulating system, and the condition of the pond interior, an experienced and well-equipped leak detection company (like American Leak Detection) can give you a summary and estimate of the work involved and thereafter locate leaks in the pond.

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Posted in tips | 2 Comments »

How Slab Leaks Happen

Monday, December 7th, 2009

When your plumbing system leaks in or under your foundation, it can be referred to as a “slab leak.” It doesn’t mean your foundation is leaking, it just means your plumbing is leaking under or in the foundation.

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:


copper pipe 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:


copper pipe abrasion damage

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:


creased copper pipe

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.

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Posted in high water bills, plumbing, tips | 2 Comments »

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