In House Plumbing Company

As we said in our previous post: Sewer Camera Inspection: What It Can and Can’t Find, a plumber cannot perform a sewer camera inspection to determine if you have any leaks in your sewer system.

And if a plumber has told you otherwise, give us a call for a free second opinion.

If you suspect you have a leak in your sewer line, what you need is an under slab sewer leak test. You may have also heard this called a hydrostatic sewer leak test.

How To Perform an Under Slab Sewer Leak Test

Sewer systems are designed to work with gravity, meaning all the pipes are installed at a slight decline. So any water in the sewer pipes runs downhill out of the house through to the main sewer line which is connected to the city’s system or a septic tank.

To test for leaks, we take a rubber, inflatable test ball that is connected to an air hose and insert it into the sewer pipe at the main line cleanout. Once it is in place at the perimeter of your home, we inflate the ball to artificially plug the sewer line so that no water flows past it.

We then go inside the house, pull a toilet from the floor exposing the floor flange—unless you have a dedicated, stand-up shower. In that case, we can use the shower to observe as we would the floor flange.

Then we run the water in the house, from a faucet, to fill the entire sewer system up to slab level and observe the water level at the floor flange for about 20 minutes.

The reason we pull the toilet up and expose the floor flange is to give us a slab level observation point. We can then see if the water level drops or stays at slab level.

Reasons Other Than a Leak

If the water level drops, it might mean you have a leak. But we first want to eliminate any other scenarios that could cause a drop — we call this human error situations.

We go back to the test ball and make sure no water is getting by it. Depending on your system, the plumber can simply look down the pipe and see if any water is running through.

However, if we can’t see down the pipe, this is when a sewer camera comes in handy. We send a sewer camera down the pipe to the test ball location and make sure it’s sealing properly and no water is flowing by it.

If there isn’t any water flowing past the test ball, another possibility we want to rule out are air pockets. To make sure any drops we see in water level isn’t because of air bubbles or pockets, we run the water again to bring it back to slab level and watch for drops.

If the water continues to drop after we’ve ruled out the other possibilities, then we know you have at least one leak under the slab.

What To Watch For With Other Plumbing Companies

If you call a plumbing company and they do any of the following, watch out:

1. They fill up your sewer system with water from the outside with a water hose to test for leaks. Remember, your sewer system works on gravity. So they are trying to push water uphill. We’ve tried this in the past and found it is an ineffective way to test for leaks. After we filled up the sewer pipes from the outside, we ran a sewer camera into the pipes and saw most of the pipes didn’t have any water in them at all.
2. They observe the water level from outside of your house instead of inside. If a plumber tells you you have a leak and never went inside your house, it was impossible for that plumber to know if you have a leak.
3. If you have a sunken tub, or bar sink, or toilet, etc., they use water overflowing as “proof” of a problem and suggest repairs.
4. They use a sewer camera to determine you have and to find leaks.
5. They use scare tactics to try and talk you into repairs as soon as possible.

If any of the above has happened, or anything else that just doesn’t seem right to you, give us a call and we will be happy to talk with you about any questions or concerns you have. We also have a guide for you on how to find a reliable plumbing company to make sure your problem is solved properly.

For another explanation of how to properly test for a sewer leak, check out this video from our YouTube channel to see an example of this:

Free Second Opinion

We know firsthand and from what our customers tell us, there are a lot of plumbing companies out there trying to rip you off. And it’s because of this, we offer a free second opinion test.

If you’re not sure about a test that was done by another Dallas plumbing company or are being pressured into making repairs, give us a call 972-494-1750.

A sewer camera is a valuable tool to help determine if there’s a problem with your home’s sewer system.

Maybe you noticed a nasty sewer gas odor. Or maybe your water isn’t draining as fast as it use to. Or worse, you’ve got an overflowing toilet.

If you’re like most people, you’ll call a plumber for help. And when that plumber comes to your house, more than likely, he’ll perform a sewer camera inspection.

But it’s important for you, the homeowner, to know what a sewer camera inspection can find and what it can’t. Armed with this information, you will know if the plumbing company you hire to come out and inspect your pipes is ripping you off or not.

What is a Sewer Camera Inspection?

First, let’s cover what a sewer camera inspection is. Typically sewer lines are installed under the foundation of your house. There’s the concrete slab which is about 4 or 5 five inches thick and then about 2 feet or so of dirt above the pipe.

To inspect the pipes and find possible problems, a special sewer video camera head connected to a flexible cable is inserted into the main sewer line cleanout, or in some cases, the vent stack and snaked through the pipes. Then the plumber watches on a monitor at ground level to see what’s going on in your pipes.

Here at In-House Plumbing, we use a sewer camera to help us determine what your problem is. However, unlike our competition, we know there are some problems a camera alone can’t find.

What a Sewer Camera Inspection Can’t Do

Despite what many in the plumbing industry think, there are limitations to what a sewer camera sees inside your sewer lines. But there is one thing a sewer camera absolutely cannot see.

Locate Leaks

A sewer camera alone cannot determine if you have a leak or to locate a leak or leaks in your sewer lines. In fact, this is so important, it bears repeating.

While it’s a useful as a secondary tool in a leak location test, a sewer camera by itself cannot be used to to determine if you have a leak or to find a leak.

4 Reasons Why a Sewer Camera Can’t Locate a Leak

1. A leak is water escaping the pipe through a hole, break, or crack. Since the camera is inside the pipe, it cannot see the outside of the pipe. Meaning, it can’t see if something is leaking OUT of the pipe. It can only show what is going on INSIDE the pipe.
2. The plumber is looking at a monitor displaying what the camera “sees.” So the plumber has to interpret, or guess, what he’s seeing. He might think he see something that looks like a hole, break, or crack in the pipe. But keep in mind, this is your sewer system we’re talking about. This is where your waste flushes and runs through. Trust us when we say it does not look good. And all that gunk and waste makes it hard to tell if something is a leak based solely on what can be seen on the monitor.
3. Sewer pipes are usually one of two types: cast iron or PVC, both thick-walled pipes. So something very possibly might look like a hole or a crack or a break. But because the walls of the pipe are so thick, it’s possible what the plumber is seeing does not go all the way through the pipe so no water is leaking out at all. The result: no leak.
4. Particularly with cast iron, but this could also be true for PVC, there are years of buildup on the walls of the pipe. Calcium, soap scum, grease, debris… you name it, builds up on the walls of your sewer pipes. So any cracks or holes the plumber sees could very well be in the buildup and not the actual pipe.

We estimate about 95% of plumbing companies in the Dallas area are using a camera as their primary tool to locate a leak. They come in, run an inspection with just a sewer camera and then tell you you have a leak.

But keep in mind, what may look like a leak on camera may not actually be a leak. And vice versa.

Look at this image taken by another plumbing company and shown to a homeowner.

This is cast iron pipe with a PVC repair. The plumber told the homeowner he had two leaks based on the image alone. But when In-House Plumbing came out to perform our Free Second Opinion leak isolation test, we found there zero leaks.

Everything was working and draining properly, and in our under slab leak test we found zero leaks.

What a Sewer Camera Inspection Can Do

While a sewer camera cannot find leaks, there are certain situations where the camera alone is effective.

Locate Lines

Sewer cameras have location devices that send out a signal. Using a special signal receiver above ground, our plumbers pinpoint where the camera is underground.

Drainage or Stoppage Issues

We call this your “sewer is not working as it is designed to work.”

Sewer pipes work using the power of gravity. The pipes flow downhill so when something goes into the pipe—waste, debris, water—it flows or drains down through your piping system and ultimately ends up at your city’s waste treatment center or septic tank, depending on your particular situation.

However, if something is causing your system to not work properly, in most cases we can use a sewer camera to determine what is causing it. Often in cases like these we find stoppages, blockages, roots, mud, broken pipe, etc.

PVC or Cast Iron Pipe

We determine what type of system you have by running a sewer camera inside the pipes.

Sewer System Connections

With a sewer camera, we can see fittings, tee’s, and other types of connection. We can also use it at the connections to run water. We’re able to see where the water flows to or from and/or comes from one line to another.

Unnecessary Plumbing Repairs

Depending on your situation, a sewer camera inspection alone may not be adequate in finding potential problems. And it is not at all adequate if it’s leaks they are looking for.

The most important thing to know is if a plumbing company does a leak location test with a camera as the only or primary tool, it’s very possible you’re being told there are leaks when there are none. If that’s the case, you could end up paying for repairs you don’t need.

If you suspect a plumber told you, you need a leak repair when you don’t, please give us a call at 972-494-1750. We’re happy to come out and do the proper testing for your system.

And also share this post and help us debunk the widespread belief that sewer cameras find leaks.

And if you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to ask below.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

A water leak is a problem you hopefully never have to deal with as a homeowner.

 

The greatest pain of these leaks is how they can happen seemingly undetected. If you don’t pay close attention to your water bills or sources of water around your house, you could be letting a leak (or leaks) fester for a long time.

Here are some ways to check around your house for any potential water leaks.

Toilet Tank

Water leak detection starts with knowing what devices around your house use the most water. Your toilet uses a whole lot of water, and you don’t want to take a chance on it leaking.

To determine if your toilet is a possible source of a water leak, simply take the lid off the tank. If you hear some irregular hissing sounds, than you have reason to suspect a leak.

There is also a good test you can perform with your toilet tank and food coloring. Simply release a few drops of food coloring into your toilet tank. Wait ten minutes and then check the bowl. If the color has reached into your toilet bowl, you very possibly have a leak.

Water Meter

Your water meter will offer unbiased evidence as to how much water is being used in your home at any given time and is vital for determining if you have a leak.

Make sure you know exactly where your home’s meter is located and shut off all sources of water and appliances that use water. If your meter is moving even with these devices shut off, then it is very likely that you have a leak.

Check Your Faucets

You might not think much when you see your kitchen sink or shower head drip. You might very well just take it for granted and assume it to be a harmless flaw within your home.

However, those are signs of a water leak that you should not ignore. That tiny drip is adding to your water bill and wasting a ton of water as well.

Make sure you pay attention to all faucets for leaks, inside and out.

Monitor Your Water Bill

If you have been living in your house long enough, you should have a sense of how much your water bill typically is. If it has gone up a large amount in recent months for no reason, you might be looking at a leak.

Also, check what your current and recent bills show for your water usage. It is likely that a leak is severely increasing your usage without your awareness.

Keep Constant Track of Potential Leaks

We’re not saying you need stress yourself out looking for leaks 24/7. However, monitoring your home for leaks with some regularity is a great idea. The earlier you detect a leak, the better.

Give Us a Call

If you have found a leak or suspect you have one (some types of leaks, like a slab leak, are difficult to find yourself), give us a call.

Located in Garland, Texas, we are a professional and courteous plumbing company who specializes in under slab leak detection and repair from freshwater leaks to sewer pipe replacement and sewer line repair.

It’s important as a homeowner to know what to keep an eye on. With In-House, you can trust us to do the rest of the work.

We also provide slab leak services in Rowlett, Mesquite, and Plano and the surrounding areas.

Plumbing problems in your home cause many to panic.

You probably have a lot of questions: How did it happen? What do I do now?

Rest assured, others have dealt with the same issues. Chances are even better that a plumbing professional has heard your question before.

Check out some of the most common questions and answers that may ease your mind when plumbing issues arise in your home.

1. Why Is My Toilet Running?

A running toilet that won’t stop isn’t just an aggravation. It can also do serious damage to your water bill.

Fortunately, fixing it isn’t very complicated. The first place to look is the handle-flapper connection. It might need a simple adjustment. Or the fill valve may need to be replaced, which is a little more complicated and may require the services of a plumbing company.

2. Why Is There a Leak and Where Is It Coming From?

You may first notice a leak because of a water stain on the ceiling or a wall. But, when you look for the obvious source of the leak (like behind the wall) you can’t find it.

Leaks can be tough to track down because water can travel far enough away from the original source to make the origin of the leak hard to find. Plumbing leak repair can get complicated, so it’s best not to do this type of work yourself.

3. How Do I Fix a Jammed Garbage Disposal?

There are a couple of points to remember with this question.

First, using an Allen wrench (insert it into the bottom of the disposal and “crank” it) is often all you need to do to fix the jam.

The second point is if that doesn’t work; don’t keep trying. You could cause serious damage to your disposal motor and possibly your electrical system.

If a jam can’t be fixed by a plumbing service professional, then the unit will probably have to be replaced.

4. How Long Does a Hot Water Heater Last?

While it can vary by make and model, most water heaters are built to last for about 10 to 15 years.

One thing you can do to extend the life of your tank water heater is to flush it out once a year. Sediment builds up in the tank over time and decreases its efficiency and the amount of hot water available.

5. How Do I Know If I Have a Broken Water Line?

Some signs of a broken water line include water puddles in your yard, a water bill that’s suddenly much higher than normal, or the sound of running water when your faucets are off.

6. What Causes Low Water Pressure?

Low pressure can be caused by a variety of things, including deposit buildups and other blockages. Ask your neighbors if their water pressure has also been affected.

7. What Are the Differences Between Hard and Soft Water?

Soft water has fewer ions that can cause deposits and other buildups. Soft water, more so than hard water, which has higher concentrations of those ions, protects pipes and prevents buildup.

More Questions?

If you live in the Rowlett or Plano Texas area and have plumbing questions, call our team at In-House Plumbing Company.

We have been serving the area since the late 90s and provide excellent and affordable service.

You can always check our guide on how to find a reliable plumbing company here.

Here at In-House Plumbing, we get a number of calls everyday from homeowners worried they might have slab leaks in their foundation.

With all the incorrect information online, it’s easy to understand why it’s hard to determine what is going on when you find something like a wet spot on your floor—or worse. So we’d like to help you figure out what might be happening.

One misconception we’d like to clear up first, though, is there are no pipes IN the concrete slab. And this means there can’t be a leak within the foundation.

In most cases, the pipes are under the slab. So you if you do have a leak, it is under the foundation. While there are exception to this (a home built with fresh water pipes in the walls), it is highly unlikely any pipes—fresh water or sewer—are in the actual slab.

Depending on the symptom, you could have a sewer leak or leaks, or fresh water leaks. And in some cases, you might not even have a leak at all but a sewer stoppage problem.

Below are some of the most common signs and symptoms of the different types of plumbing problems you might be experiencing.

Signs of Sewer Problems

An important thing to note is the only time there is water in your sewer lines is when you run water or flush the toilet. Your sewer system is designed to run on gravity meaning the pipes are installed at a slight decline.

Anytime you run water in your house or flush the toilet, the water drains with gravity’s help down through the system, out to the main sewer line, and eventually to the city lines.

Sewer Clog or Blockage

Backups or Overflows – If water backs up or overflows when you flush the toilet or turn on and run water, it’s most likely you have a clog somewhere in in your sewer system. Because a sewer system is designed to run on gravity, if there is something blocking or clogging a sewer pipe, there’s nowhere for the water to go but back up and overflow out of your drain or toilet.

Slow Drains – If a sink, tub, or shower is slow to drain, you might have a partial clog which, if not addressed, could turn into a full stoppage or clog.

Sewer Leaks

Cracks in Walls and Foundation – If you have a sewer leak or a broken sewer pipe, whenever water runs through the pipe, some of it escapes into the soil surrounding the pipes and under your foundation. Because the soil in North Texas expands as it gets wet and contracts as it dries, water soaks into the soil like a sponge.

As a result, the expanding soil can cause your foundation’s slab to heave or push up. However, if the leak is severe enough and present for long enough, it is possible the soil could erode very slowly by leaching back into the broken sewer line causing the slab to drop.

Either of these can cause foundation issues/problems resulting in cracks in your walls or foundation. It could also show up as any of the following:

• Uneven or sloping floors
• Cracks in exterior or interior brick
• Displaced or cracked moldings
• Wall rotation
• Bowing of walls
• Cracks in floor or floor tiles
• Doors and windows won’t open or close properly
• Separation of doors, windows, and garage doors
• Spaces between wall and ceiling or floor
• Walls separating from house

Signs of Fresh Water Leaks

Unlike a sewer system, fresh water lines are always full of water.

Your cold water lines run on a pressurized system and connects to the city’s water line. That cold water line connects to your water heater which heats and runs water through the hot water lines. And it’s the stops in your faucets which keep the water from running until you turn on your faucet.

Higher than normal water bills

Because there is always water running in the system, having a leak is the same as turning on a faucet and letting the water run. This results in high water bills.

Higher than normal gas or electric bills

With a leak in your hot water line, your hot water heater is continually using gas or electricity to heat your water.

Little or no hot water

Along the same vein, if you find you can’t get any hot water or are getting very little hot water, you might have a leak in the hot water lines running from the water heater. It could be the water heater but it’s important to rule out any leaks before replacing your water heater. Or if you have replaced your water heater but continue to have problems getting enough hot water, then it’s most likely a leak in your hot water line.

The sound of running water

If you don’t have the water turned on anywhere in the house but still hear running water, it’s a possible sign of a leak.

Standing water in the yard

If you rule out leaking water from a hose or a sprinkler system, it’s possible this is a sign of a freshwater leak in your system. It does not necessarily mean the leak is underground in your yard. It could be under the slab of your home’s foundation that found a path from the leak to your yard.

Water or wet spots on the floor

If you find a certain spot on the floor is consistently wet or you have puddles, it could be a water leak. However, if it’s a problem in an entire room or your whole home, it’s possible it’s a flooring problem, not a plumbing issue.

Warm or hot spots on the floor

If the leak is in your hot water line, hot water continually escaping from the pipe heats the slab causing a spot on your floor to feel abnormally warm/hot.

Fixing the Problem

As soon as you notice any of the above signs or symptoms, give us a call. The earlier we catch something, the better. Letting these problems go will result in an even bigger problem.

Call us today at 972-494-1750, or fill out the form on our contact page.

Have you ever tried to fix a complex plumbing issue just to realize you are in way over your head?

We know it’s tempting to fix plumbing problems yourself—especially with all the repair guides, posts, and videos on the internet.

But it’s important to think twice before jumping in yourself. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could cause more damage than was originally there.

Many homeowners don’t know the difference between a plumbing DIY project and a major issue that requires the work of a licensed plumber who has the experience, tools, and training to handle the problem.

And one of the problems that require the work of experts is under slab pipe repair, whether it’s because of a broken sewer line or a fresh water leak.

So often, we find people who think that DIY video on YouTube is good enough with its step-by-step instructions.

But, every plumbing system is different so what worked in the video may not work for your home unless you have the exact same type of plumbing system.

You may be able to repair a clogged toilet or a leaky faucet on your own. But it’s probably best to leave slab leak detection and repair to the experts. Aside from knowing the job gets done right when choosing a company like In-House Plumbing, you’ll save yourself a lot of aggravation, time, and money on repairs that do not work or only last a short period.

Homeowner’s Insurance

Mechanically-inclined owners often try to perform home repairs because they are good at fixing things. And if this is you, what you may not know is that this can cause a void in homeowners coverage.

Some insurance companies include slab leaks and leak detection services in their policies. But most have exclusions in the policy stating DIY repairs are not covered. Many policies include something along the lines of not covering professional repairs after homeowners attempt to fix the problem first.

This is usually because DIY attempts often cause more damage.

Specialized Equipment for Under Slab Leaks

It’s unlikely you have the tools and training that an expert plumber has (unless you are a plumber). Finding a leak under the foundation requires specialized equipment and tools.

And even if you do have some of the tools because you work in a similar field, you don’t necessarily possess the knowledge to execute the correct repair. This is usually the stage where homeowners find themselves calling in an expert.

Plumbing Issues Homeowners Should Leave to the Experts

• Pipe Replacement and Repairs
• Frozen Pipes
• Broken Fixtures
• Water Heater Repairs and Installation
• Water Leaks
• Wet Foundations

Don’t Make the Situation Worse

Several problems can arise when you attempt to repair a complex plumbing issue.

For instance, maybe you found and fixed a leak. But if there is more than one leak, the primary source of the problem can go unnoticed until significant damage causes the need for emergency repairs. The home can get flooded, and more things can break costing more money to fix than it would have to call an expert in the first place.

Before you decide to go ahead and fix the problem yourself understand what the issue may be, contact us.

Call the Experts

In-House Plumbing is proud to serve the Garland Texas area and surrounding cities. We also have a guide on how to find a trustworthy plumbing company near you.

Give our licensed plumbers a call today for a FREE estimate on any plumbing issue. Our phone number is 972-494-1750.

If you have already received a quote from one slab leak company allow us to provide you with our FREE Second Opinion to make sure you are not getting charged for more than what your home really needs.

Every day we get a lot of calls and emails from homeowners asking all types of plumbing questions. And we’ve notice a lot of the same questions tend to come up over and over.

So we wanted to take the time to answer some of the most commonly asked questions that we get on a daily basis.

Commonly Asked Questions About Slab Leaks

As experts in slab leak detection and repair, we deal with a lot of plumbing problems that happen under the slab of your foundation.

How do I know if I have a slab leak?

For many homeowners it’s difficult to identify issues going on under the foundation of the home. Thankfully, there are a few things to look for when trying to decide if it’s time to call a plumber or not.

Here is a list of some signs that might point to an under slab leak.

• Wet spots on the floorcold and hot water leak detection
• Cracked walls or floors
• Hear running water
• Utility bill increase
• Hot water coming out of the cold water faucet
• Humming noise coming from the pipes
• You can read more about these signs here.

Will you have to tear up my house or yard to find the leak?

No. We use the latest scanning and identification equipment to allow us to find leaks without excavation—in a normal situation. We also offer a location guarantee. If we do not find a leak, you will not be charged for our services.

How long does it take to repair a slab leak?

Most under slab leak repairs take a day or less to resolve. There are some situations where the fix could take longer, but this is rare.

How much does it cost to fix a slab leak?

Slab leak repairs are made in a variety of ways. Some methods are less intrusive than others, but it ultimately depends on where the leak is and how much damage the leak has caused. We can give you a free estimate with a simple leak inspection.

Does homeowners insurance cover slab leak repairs?

This question is best left to the insurance professionals. We suggest calling your insurance company to ask exactly what your policy covers. The same applies to plumbing pipe protection plans.

But before you call, watch this video to find out the best way to ask your insurance company about your coverage.

Is there a way I can check for a leak myself?

For a sewer leak, no. You can’t easily find these yourself. We use special equipment to test your sewer pipes for leaks.

For fresh water leaks, shut off the water to your house and check the water meter to see if the meter is still running. Check out this post to for a video example of what you’re looking for, and how we repair fresh water leaks.

Why Choose In-House Plumbing Company?

We always provide free estimates and a guarantee for our services. We also have the experience, knowledge, and equipment to perform leak detection tests and repairs. Check out our guide on how to find a reliable plumbing company to help you solve your problems without causing you more.

Our experts have commonly-needed parts stocked in the trucks and always clean up when finished. In fact, we even have a cleanliness guarantee. While we repair your leak, we take special care to minimize how much we impact you and your property.

Not to mention, we know the Garland, Mesquite, Plano, Rowlett, and Richardson areas very well because we have worked in the community since the late 90s.

Call us to set up an appointment for a free estimate or schedule a free second opinion.