Leak Star Leak Detection Blog - Leak Star

Slab Leak Repair

3/5/2018

Slab Leak Repair

For a lay person, it's difficult to imagine how on earth on could make a slab leak repair without bringing in a jackhammer, tearing up your flooring and opening up an enormous hole in the floor of your living room or kitchen. Relax! Only under the most unusual of conditions is there ever a need to break open the floor.

If your plumber really knows what he is doing, then either a single line reroute is done or some times you may chose to just go ahead and just go for the repiping service.

Single Line Repiping

When would you chose a single line reroute over a complete repiping service? If this is the first ever plumbing leak you have experienced then a single line reroute might be the best option. Plumbing leaks will invariably happen over time. Multiple reasons couple be the cause. We have a flat rate of $1750 for a single line reroute. If we do the single line reroute and the leak detection, then your leak detection is free.

Is It Really Important To Have A Specialist For Slab Leak Repair?

2/26/2018

Many people, when they first realize they have a slab leak, find the situation to be frightening. Because it’s also time-sensitive, they may be tempted to call the first plumber they turn up on an internet search or in the phone book. However, there are good reasons to use a slab leak repair Ladera Ranch specialist. Here’s our take on why you shouldn’t settle for less.

It’s Important To Detect The Slab Leak Accurately

Did you know that it takes both experience and specialized equipment to find where your slab leak is located? In the past, many plumbers searched for the leak by looking for where the water was puddling on the floor, or (if it’s a hot water leak) by feeling for warm spots. However, these methods of finding the leak are not as precise as would be ideal, and modern tools allow a slab leak repair professional to find the location of the leak quickly, minimizing damage to your home. Unless they deal with slab leaks regularly, not all plumbers regularly carry the specialized tools necessary to get the job done right.

It’s Important To Understand Why The Leak Happened

It might seem like a slab leak, while unpleasant, is a fairly simple situation: you find where the leak is, you fix it, and then you move on with your life. While that’s the way it would happen in an ideal world, the unhappy truth is that unless you know why the leak happened in the first place, you may find yourself dealing with more slab leaks at a later date! Leaks can be caused for a number of reasons, including:

Pipe corrosion because of soil chemicals or a reaction between the water and the metal of the pipes.
Ground shifting or pressure problems.
Improper construction.

All of these can be ongoing problems. That’s why it’s important to use a qualified professional who can assess the circumstances around the leak and advise you whether a repair is adequate, or whether repiping service is necessary. Remember: as disruptive as the current leak is, do you really want to go through all that disruption again in the future?

It’s Important To Know Your Plumber Has Done This Before

You’re probably already starting to get the idea that proper slab leak repair can be somewhat counterintuitive. As with most jobs, the person who has the most experience will know how to keep the process streamlined, low-stress, and as non-invasive as possible. As an additional bonus, a local specialist will be able to offer you relevant local expertise. If you have a slab leak, odds are that a slab leak repair professional with experience in your area will have see leaks similar to yours in other homes nearby, and will have insight on your leak’s probable cause.

Although slab leaks require swift action, you should never feel pressured into using a plumber whose qualifications you’re not entirely comfortable with. With three decades of experience, we’re proud to say that we can offer slab leak expertise combined with excellent service and knowledge of your locale. If you’ve got a leak, give us a call and let us help you get your life back to normal as soon as possible.

Sources:
Slab Leaks - www.plumberman.com
How To Fix A Slab Leak - www.angieslist.com

The Problem With Epoxy Coating

2/13/2018

It wasn't that long ago that I did another blog post on whether epoxy coating was the right choice. Recently we encountered yet another blatant example of the problem with epoxy coating.

We were called out with what clearly sounded like a slab leak. As expected it was a slab leak and we were hired to do the single line repiping. We were informed by the homeowner that it had been just 8 years since they had a leak before, when they chose to do epoxy coating. Epoxy coating of an entire average size house can cost $5000-$8000. The a lot of money to have it fail in just 8 years.

The images below make it very clear what the problem is with epoxy lining for plumbing.

The first image shows what epoxy lining should sort of look like. But as you can see, the coating is very thick on one side and paper thin on the other. In order for the epoxy coating to be effective, the pipe must be evenly coated on the inside. In the second image you see that much of the inside of the pipe has no lining at all. Just a few splatters of epoxy are visible. The third image shows what is very common, that is to find the epoxy coating either all puddled to the bottom of the pipe or balled up into one spot leaving the remainder of the pipe completely exposed.

Just how much of this homeowners plumbing pipes looked like this will never be known for sure. But I will guarantee you that this single spot we cut into the this was not the only place the epoxy coating process failed. The failure rate is far to high in our estimation cosidering the cost.

You can have an entire new water system installed in your home for about the same cost. Difference is, you will have all new water pipes that should last not just a few years, but for decades as plumbing should.

Don't let anyone tell you that you must move out if you choose repiping your home, or that your floors must be cut into with a jackhammer. It is an extremely rare occasion when we cut into a floor. There just simply is not a need to put you the homeowner through that.

We will make it as simple as possible and in most cases you can stay in your home during the entire process. Call Leak Star before you make your final decision.

Why A Slab Leak Can Endanger Your Home

2/7/2018

If you’ve just discovered that you’ve got water puddling, and you think it might be a slab leak, it can seem like an overwhelming problem. However, once you’ve found the leak, odds are you need to secure a qualified slab leak detection Carlsbad professional. Delay, or improper fixes from “handyman”-type contractors, can be costly in more ways than one. You want to make the needed slab leak repair as quickly as possible.

1. Your Water Bill

Many people first realize that they might have a slab leak when they get an astronomical water bill. Even if you weren’t worried about the water damaging your home, most people can’t afford the continued high cost of a leak--let alone the environmental impact of wasting hundreds of gallons of water.

2. Structural Damage

Both undetected leaks and improper “handyman”-style fixes can allow water to cause significant damage to the foundation of the home. If not corrected, over time the water can actually weather the concrete enough to cause the foundation to shift, and sometimes even cause parts of the structure to become unstable and in danger of collapse. It’s best, of course, to fix your leak correctly long before things get to this stage, which is why prompt leak detection, repair, and, if necessary, repiping service, are so important.

3. Cosmetic Damage

While structural damage to your home can be frightening to contemplate, slab leaks that well up under your floors can also cause significant amounts of cosmetic damage when they soak carpets and drywall, warp wood floors, and cause unsightly stains. This kind of damage can be discouraging, expensive, and can hamper your ability to enjoy your home. The biggest problem? If you hire an unqualified repairman, you might end up dealing with multiple slab leaks, and the attendant cosmetic damage over time. Nothing is more frustrating than having to repaint a wall again. The best way to make sure that this doesn’t happen is to use a qualified professional the first time, who can advise you whether a small leak repair is adequate, or whether it would be more cost-effective over time to simply repipe the system.

4. Health And Safety Danger

Ultimately, the most important consideration is the your health and that of your family. The biggest health danger with leaks is the growth of mold and mildew. Particularly if any family member has asthma or other breathing problems, mold spores in the air can be quite dangerous. Once again, the best way to prevent this is to begin repairs as rapidly as possible, and make sure that the person repairing your leak knows what they’re doing so that any water damage is halted at an early stage.

While nobody enjoys discovering that they’ve got a slab leak, fixing your leak shouldn’t be a miserable experience. We want you to be confident that your leak is going to be fixed in a timely, professional manner, and we don’t want you to worry about unnecessary damage to your home. As slab leak specialists, it’s always our goal to get your leak repaired in a timely, professional manner, so that you and your home can get back to normal. If you have a slab leak, give us a call! We’ll be glad to help.

Sources:

Why Slab Leaks Can Damage Your Home - www.accurateleak.com
About Us - www.leakstar.com

How To Read A Plumbing Contract

1/30/2018

If you’ve found a wet spot on your floor, odds are that you’re eager to get your slab leak repair professional to work. But don’t let desperation force you into an unwise decision. If you haven’t worked with this plumber before, it pays to ask a few questions when you’re looking over the contract.

1. Are You Licensed?

Before you trust someone with your hard-earned cash and with your home, it’s common sense to make sure that they actually have training in their area of expertise. Your plumber should be licensed, and should display their license number prominently. (Our license number is available on our website.)

2. Can I See Some References?

Quality plumbers should have plenty of satisfied customers in their history, and they should be able to provide references and testimonials. You shouldn’t be reduced to simply Googling for information about your plumber (although that’s a good idea, too). We’re proud of our customer service record, and you can find many testimonials on our website.

3. Who Bills Insurance?

If you intend to submit a claim to your homeowner’s insurance, be sure to begin sooner rather than later. Don’t assume that your plumber is going to bill your insurance for you; most often, you will need to submit the claim to your insurance yourself, although your plumber may work with you to facilitate that. Be clear on who is responsible for each part of the insurance process, to avoid unexpected expense. (We have extensive experience working with insurance companies, and can help you through the process.)

4. What Does Each Line Item Include?

Your plumber should be able to explain what each line on the proposed contract or estimate is for. Keep in mind, however, that estimates are called that for a reason. Things can and will change as a job progresses, but you should be able to get a rough idea in advance.

For example, if the item reads “labor”, the plumber should be able to explain exactly how many hours they anticipate you being charged for. While it’s not always possible to know in advance exactly how long a job will take, the plumber should be able to give you an approximation. Likewise, if there is an item reading “parts”, the plumber should be able to explain what parts are typically needed for a repair job like yours--even if, later, it turns out that not all of them were needed or that extras were. Limitations aside, the point is to have a rough idea in advance what you’re paying for.

Even with an emergency like a slab leak repair job, you should be able to have confidence that your plumber is looking after your best interests. You should always expect to have any contract or estimate fully explained to you, and we are always willing to do so. If you want to be sure that you’re entrusting your slab leak repair to qualified, honest professionals, give us a call today. We’ll be glad to set your mind at ease.

Slab Leak Detection Carlsbad: Finding A Qualified Company

1/23/2018

It’s always unpleasant to realize you have a plumbing problem, let alone a slab leak. The only thing worse than the leak? Hiring an incompetent or inexperienced company that doesn’t fix the leak properly. Here’s our quick guide to finding a qualified slab leak detection professional, who can ensure that you get the best repiping service for your leak.

1. Check Experience

Open up the phonebook or run a quick Google search, and you can easily find a dozen plumbers. With something like a slab leak, however, especially one that needs repiping, you really want a plumbing company that specializes in slab leak repair. Slab leaks require specialized knowledge, tools, and expertise, so it pays to hire someone that has these at their fingertips. We’ve been in business for many years, with the customer satisfaction record to back up our reputation.

2. Are They Licensed?

Remember, if you hire a “handyman” that seems to be willing to work cheap, you may be getting what you pay for--or not even that! A licensed plumber can ensure that all work he or she does is up to code, and you know that the plumber has attained a high level of professional competence. A handyman or non-licensed person who is attempting plumbing work may or may not know what they’re doing. You won’t know until the job is finished, and you may find that the work is not up to your standards. We are licensed plumbers, and are willing to answer any questions you may have about that.

3. Are They Used To Working With Insurance Companies?

While insurance companies vary, typical homeowners insurance does cover the cost of locating a slab leak and repairing any damage that the leak caused. Dealing with insurance companies, however, is much easier if you have a plumber who is used to filling in the paperwork and working with your insurer. Being knowledgeable about the insurance claim process is one of the advantages to hiring a plumber who is experienced in slab leak repair, vs. one that rarely deals with slab leaks.

4. Will You Get Your Money’s Worth?

When you hire a plumber, you want to ensure three things:

the job is done right
the job won’t have to be done again in a short time
you get billed fairly and honestly

When you hire a licensed plumber with a good reputation, you can rest assured that these three goals will be met. If you hire someone just because they’re cheap, you may not get any of them. But your choice isn’t between a quality plumber and a cheap plumber--our prices for slab leak detection and, if necessary, repiping service are very competitive.

A slab leak is an unpleasant experience for anyone, but we’d hate for poor plumbing service to make your experience worse than it has to be. It pays to be choosy about who you call in an emergency. We’re here for you, and waiting to help you get back to normal life as soon as possible.

Epoxy Coating Is It the Right Choice

1/21/2018

Epoxy coating for plumbing failure

Epoxy coating is usually offered as the best solution for failing water pipes by the companies that provide this service. Promises are made that you will have a like new water system. In theory it might sound like a great solution and most of all, it will be so easy. But, epoxy coating, is it the right choice.

Why Epoxy Coating is Not The Best Idea

It is impossible to know how evenly the epoxy coating has been distributed on the inside of your corroding pipes. Have all of the tiny pinholes and weak joints been completely sealed with enough coating? There is no way of knowing withough cutting the pipe and then that would would only tell you what you can see from a visual of about 1 inch.

If you sustain a leak in the future, repairing the leak is very difficult because the epoxy resin used can not take heat. The heat from a torch and soder ruins the integrity of the epoxy coating leaving you vulnerable to future leaks in that area.

Other types of repairs used by epoxy companies called compression fittings or press fit connections can crack surrounding epoxy coating.

The weak pipe is still there and the pressure used in the epoxy lining process can blow out these weak spots and joints.

When encountering these issues a full repipe is often the only solution. These types of issues have created several lawsuits against some epoxy coating companies.

Repiping San Diego

The cost of complete repiping San Diego homes is usually the same or less than epoxy coating. Do yourself a favor and give us a call and let us bid your repiping service at the same time you are getting a quote for epoxy coating.

Very often epoxy coating does not come with much of a warranty. With a full repiping all of your water lines will be brand new with a warranty. With this great investment you will have years of peace of mind.

Source:
http://sagewater.com/whats-new/the-problem-with-epoxy/

Water Damage Repair

1/11/2018

Water Damage Repair Carlsbad

Plumbing leaks are very often leave homeowners in need of water damage repair. If your are fortunate enough it is minimal, but sometimes is serious, possibly even catastrophic. The first thing you as a homeowner suspects a water line leak, you want to call us for leak detection if you are in Carsbad or other neighborhoods of North County.

There are various degress of water damage and the most serious types are those cause by black water, water coming from toilets and drains. Then there is water damage that includes mold very often because no one was aware of the water leak or it was ignored.

Both of these types of water damage repair jobs can be costly and time consuming for the homeowner. The damage from both of these situations requires removal of all wet and exposed materials. In the case of black water which is highly contaminated water, that means flooring, drywall, cabinets and furniture that have become wet with black water. There really is not saving these items.

Repiping Nightmares

1/10/2018

Corrosion on inside of copper plumbing pipe leading to water line leak

You know you need to repipe your house and you are having repiping nightmares. Visions of having to move all of your furniture out, floors, walls torn up and you living in a hotel....it doesn't have to happen if you hire the right plumbing company.

If a plumber trys to sell you a job like that then they are primarily looking to make a whole lot of money. Here at Leak Star for an average 3 bdrm, 2 bath, we can complete repiping Carlsbad homes in about 3-4 days and there is no need for you to move out unless you chose to do so. We will not tear massive holes in your drywall or tear out your kitchen cabinets or have you remove all your furniture.

So how is it that we can do this? We do not recommend copper pipe for repiping Encinitas or Carlsbad homes anymore. Why? Because the reason you need to repipe your home is because of the copper pipe on most occasions. Over time copper erodes, becomes pitted on the inside. That is very common in older homes, but we are seeing it even in very new homes.

Plumbing Whoas

12/30/2017

Costly & ignored toilet leak damage

Being a homeowner is a pleasure, but it certainly can have some homewoner plumbing whoas. When plumbing is not functioning properly, your happy home can environment can vanish. It is imperative that your home have these simple basics. How water, clear drains, with water and sewer lines that are not leaking.

A slab leak can cause significant damage and really isn't that difficult to repair only I am sure your thoughts have you imagining a jackhammer in your livingroom, Simply not the case. In most cases repiping a home or rerouting a single line is all that is needed. Repiping is slightly different in that it generally refers to replacing all of the water pipes in the home. A reroute more implies a single water line that is replaced. Water line repair is not that difficult.

Nothing is worse than looking forward to a hot shower only to find your water is dead cold. If your water heater is over 8 years old and new water heater installation is usually recommended. A new water heater installation should cost you about $1500-$1700 that should include, your water heater replacement, the labor and to haul your old water heater away. Generally takes about 3 hours.