Water Leak Detection & Repair

It is essential to take care of water leaks as quickly as possible. Water leaks can result in water damage, which can be costly and time-consuming to handle. Water leaks can also run up your water bill, as even a tiny leak constantly releasing water can run up a huge bill. 

Some water leaks are obvious, such as a leaking faucet or a toilet that keeps running. Some are not as obvious, such as a small leak under your sink or a leak under a slab. 

At M&E Plumbing, we are leak experts. If you think you have a water leak we will work with you and inspect your property to find and repair it. 

A water main is the main line that supplies water from the city water system to your home. The water main may break due to temperature changes, such as very hot or dry weather, that cause the ground to shift. The age of a water main can also play a role in a broken water main. 

A broken water main will cause reduced pressure and volume throughout your home. Generally, you will still have some water coming into your home. 

How long it takes to repair the water main depends upon where the break took place. The pipes going to the water main and inside your home will need to be repaired. 

The last thing you want is for your pipes to burst. Burst pipes can cause a range of different issues and damage to your home. That is why it is important to understand why pipes burst so you can take steps to prevent it from happening to you.

What causes pipes to burst? There are a wide range of reasons why a pipe can burst, releasing water and flooding your home. 

In Illinois, where the temperature can drop down to around 0 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, the water that is running through your pipes can actually freeze in place. 

If too much water accumulates and freezes in place inside of your pipes, pressure will be applied to your pipes from the inside out. When too much pressure is applied, your pipes will burst. 

You can avoid burst pipes from freezing by insulating your pipes, and by putting your faucets on a drip when extremely cold weather hits. When water is moving, it can’t freeze in place as easily.

As trees grow, their roots grow and expand further from the base of the tree in the soil. Oftentimes, roots grow until they come into contact with a source of water, such as your water pipes. 

Tree roots apply pressure on pipes, causing them to crack. The best prevention for this is to plant new trees far away from your water pipes.

If your pipes are made from steel, your pipes may burst because they have corroded and narrowed over the years. That is why you need to keep a good eye on the condition and state of your steel pipes and replace them with copper or plastic pipes before they break.

Sometimes, water pipes break because the soil around them shifts. Be careful when doing any construction near your pipes. Distributing and dumping displaced dirt can put too much pressure on them, causing  broken pipes.

Your water pressure should never exceed 60 psi. Ideally, the water pressure in your home should be around 40 to 45 psi. If the water pressure in your home is too high, we can make repairs to lower the water pressure, and protect your pipes. 

Sometimes, your pipes can burst due to clogs. Large clogs can put too much pressure on your pipes and result in cracks. Be careful with what you put down your drains, and address any slow drains right away. 

If your pipes end up bursting, we can send a professional out right away to turn off the water main, stop the leak, and repair the damage. 

If you are continually experiencing leaks and issues with your plumbing system, it may have reached the end of its life. Plumbing pipes are not designed to last forever. They eventually wear out and have to be replaced.

Replacing old, worn-out pipes with new ones is known as repiping.

There are a few telltale signs that your plumbing system will need a repipe soon.

• Age of Your Home: If your home is over 50 years old, it may be time to upgrade your pipes. Until the mid-twentieth century, plumbing systems were mostly built using galvanized steel. Over the decades, galvanized pipes tend to rust and need replacing. 

• Leaking Pipes: An occasional leaking pipe is normal. Frequent leaking pipes or frequently backed-up pipes are not normal. If your pipes are experiencing issues regularly, it is time to replace your plumbing system.

• Low Water Pressure: If you have low water pressure throughout your home, you likely have leaks or mineral build-up throughout your plumbing system. Low water pressure is not only annoying but can be dangerous, leading to mold and rust developing in your pipes. 

• Strange Taste or Smell: If the water from your faucets has a peculiar taste or smell, your pipes may have mold or rust that is contaminating the water. 
• Discolored Water: When you look at the water coming from your pipes, the color should always be clear. If the water has a brown or red tinge, your pipes could be rusted, making your water contaminated and unsafe to drink. 

If you notice the telltale signs that your plumbing system pipes are reaching the end of their lives, it is time to call in the experts at M&E Plumbing. We can inspect your pipes and let you know if repiping is required. 

Do you think you have a water leak somewhere? We can find it! Do you know you have a water leak? We have you covered! M&E Plumbing provides plumbing services to Grundy, Kendall, & Will Counties. 

Give us a call at 815-600-9215, or use our service request form to arrange a service call.