An underground plumbing leak can be one of the most destructive and costly problems a homeowner can face. Out of sight and out of mind, a broken pipe beneath your lawn or foundation can waste thousands of gallons of water, erode your home’s structural support, and create a breeding ground for mold and mildew. For this reason, it’s crucial to recognize the signs of an underground water leak so that you can take prompt action.
If you notice any of the following problems around your property, call the experts at Skagit Plumbing for professional water leak detection and repair in Mount Vernon, WA.
A Sudden, Unexplained Spike in Your Water Bill
For most homeowners, the first clue that something is a water bill that is significantly higher than previous months. And, no, we don’t mean the spike that occurs when everyone is home for summer break or when your extended family visits during the holidays. This jump in utility costs comes without a corresponding increase in your household’s water usage. Even a single, small pinhole leak in a pipe can waste a surprising amount of water over the course of a billing cycle.
To investigate the leak further, find your water meter, which is typically located in a box near the curb. Then, perform a simple meter test:
- Step 1: Turn off all water-using appliances in your home. Ensure no toilets are running, no faucets are dripping, and the washing machine and dishwasher are off.
- Step 2: Check the meter. Most meters have a small, low-flow indicator (often a triangle or a small dial) that spins when water is flowing. If this indicator is moving, even slowly, you likely have a leak somewhere on your property. If it isn’t moving, take a photo or write down the reading on the main dial. Wait for an hour or two without using any water, then check it again. If the reading has changed, water is escaping somewhere.
Mysterious Puddles and Lasting Wet Spots in Your Yard
Is there a perpetually damp, spongy, or muddy area in your yard, even when it hasn’t rained recently? This is a strong indicator that an underground water line is leaking. As water escapes the pipe, it saturates the surrounding soil. Eventually, the ground can’t absorb any more moisture, and the water begins to pool on the surface. These wet spots can also lead to unpleasant, musty odors as the constant moisture encourages mold and fungal growth.
An Unusually Lush and Green Patch of Lawn
While you might initially be pleased to see a patch of your lawn looking exceptionally vibrant and green, it can sometimes be a sign of trouble. A leaking underground pipe, for example, acts like a round-the-clock irrigation and fertilization system for the grass directly above it. This results in a concentrated area of lush, fast-growing turf that stands out from the rest of your yard. If you notice a patch of grass that looks like it belongs on a golf course while the surrounding areas are struggling, a sewer or water line leak is the likely culprit.
Cracks in Your Home’s Foundation
The soil around and under your foundation provides critical support. When a water leak constantly washes away this soil, it creates voids and destabilizes the ground. This loss of support can then cause your home’s foundation to shift, settle, or heave. The resulting stress can manifest as:
- Visible cracks in the concrete slab or foundation walls.
- Cracks appearing in interior drywall, especially around door and window frames.
- Doors that begin to stick or no longer latch properly.
- Uneven or sloping floors.
If you see these signs of an underground leak, act immediately and call for a comprehensive plumbing repair to prevent further structural damage.
A Noticeable Drop in Water Pressure
Are your showers suddenly weak and unsatisfying? Does it take longer than usual to fill a sink or a bathtub? When a portion of your water supply is escaping from a pipe before it even reaches your house, there’s less water available to flow through your faucets and fixtures, resulting in a frustratingly weak stream. If you’re dealing with low water pressure throughout multiple fixtures in your home, get in touch with your local plumber for a main water line repair.
The Sound of Running Water When Everything Is Off
For this sign of an underground plumbing leak, you need to take a moment to listen. If you hear a faint but persistent hissing, rushing, or dripping sound coming from your walls or from the ground, you know there’s a leak. The noise is caused by water being forced out of a crack or hole in a pressurized pipe. This is often easiest to hear at night when the ambient noise in your home and neighborhood is at a minimum.
Sinkholes in Your Landscape
While dramatic, the formation of a sinkhole or a noticeable depression in your yard is a very real possibility with a major underground leak. Over time, a high-volume leak can wash away a significant amount of soil, creating a large cavity beneath the surface. Eventually, the top layer of earth will collapse into this void.
Discolored, Smelly, or Gritty Water
A break in your main water line doesn’t just let water out; it can also let contaminants in. If you turn on a faucet and the water appears brownish, cloudy, or has particles of dirt in it, your water line may be breached. You might also notice an earthy or musty odor, which is another sign that outside elements are infiltrating your clean water supply.
Don’t Guess, Know for Sure. Call the Professionals.
While the signs above are strong indicators of a leak, they don’t pinpoint the exact location. And digging up your yard in search of a broken pipe is messy, expensive, and often futile. Instead of making a million and one guesses, turn to Skagit Plumbing in Mount Vernon, WA, for an underground leak detection service.
We use state-of-the-art, non-invasive leak detection technology to accurately locate the source of the problem without major disruption to your home or landscape. Our skilled technicians may use advanced methods like acoustic listening devices to listen for leaks or thermal imaging cameras to spot temperature differences in the ground. Once we’ve found the leak, we can recommend the most effective and least invasive repair. We can also perform whole-home repiping if your plumbing is significantly outdated.
Do you feel like there’s a problem with your home’s underground water lines? Speak with our friendly experts today and get peace of mind with a professional solution.
