When An Earthquake Moves The Ground, It Also Moves The Pipes Under Your House

By: American Leak Detection | 0 Shares 76 Reads

(Monday, November 27, 2006) - Earthquakes and aftershocks can cause underground pipes to shift, or structural fractures in swimming pools to occur. Both scenarios bring hidden water leaks and costly repair bills if the condition is left undetected.

Why should I be concerned about a Water Leak?
If left untreated, a leak the size of a pinhead can waste 360,000 gallons per year, enough to fill 12,000 bathtubs to the overflow mark. And the longer the leak is left untreated, the worse the damage to your home and the more costly the leak will be to fix. Other leak facts:

A leaking toilet can use 90,000 gallons of water in 30 days.
A dripping faucet/hose bibb can lose up to 180 gallons a month or 2,160 gallons per year.
Approximately 1 in every 20 swimming pools has a leak.
Approximately 1 in every 318 homes or buildings has a leak.
A typical toilet leak at today's rate can add $500 to a single water bill.

You may have a plumbing leak if . . .

You can hear the continuous sound of water (like a toilet running) when nothing is turned on.
Your water meter reading changes when you aren't using any water. – See Water Meter Test below.
Your water bill escalates over a period of weeks or months. (Compare your bills month to month.)
Your walls or floors have wet, spongy, moist or discolored areas when nothing has been spilled.
You can smell foul odors coming from floors or walls near drains or sewers.
Your building foundation cracks, vegetation grows unevenly, or earth shifts for no apparent reason.
You find warm spots on your floor, particularly on concrete slab floors.

Have a High Water Bill? Perform a Meter Test
The first sign that you may have a hidden leak is an escalating water bill. This test should be conducted for a 30 minute period, during which time no water is being used on the property.

Find your water meter, which is usually located in front of the house in a covered box near the street.
Write down the numbers indicated on the meter at the start of this test.
Return to check the meter reading after 30 minutes have passed.
If the numbers have not changed, you do not have a leak in your pressurized water system. If the numbers have changed, continue with the following steps.
Shut off the valves under all toilets in the house, and repeat steps 1-4.
If the numbers have not changed, you may have a running toilet that should be serviced. If the numbers have changed, this indicates water consumption even though water was not being used during the test, and you may need a leak detection.

About American Leak Detection®
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 and yard. American Leak Detection sets the standard for non-invasive leak detection and repair with proprietary methods and technology. Founded 32 years ago, we now operate a network of highly trained Original Leak Specialists on six continents. For the last five years, American Leak Detection has been ranked #1 in Entrepreneur® magazine's "Maintenance Products and Services" franchise sector. For more information on American Leak Detection, call 800.755.6697 or visit www.americanleakdetection.com.