We just installed a water pump/pressure tank and discovered that we have a strong leak in the house. I'm not sure if it's 1 big leak or several small leaks,but the amount of water we are losing in the tank is equivalent to a running faucet!
Our pipes are embedded and we can't find the leak/s. There are no damp walls, dripping, hissing sounds.
What is the best way to locate the leaks? Or would it be easier to just repipe the whole house?
Problem is we have 7 bathrooms ang repiping will be a major work.
A plumber suggested that we could run the pipes over the ceiling (like in buildings?) instead of embedding the new pipes. Is this a common practice for houses?
I'm open to this option because it will be much easier to find leaks and do repairs in the future.
Re: fix leak or repipe?
i have the same situation few months ago i tried excavating a possible leak area as its showing sign of crack on my wall after making my place dirty due to excavating and locating it, fixing it and behold theres still a leak.. since i dont want to make my area full of excavation i repipe it..
hunting those leaks would take forever 1 leak may lead to another leak in the future.. so repipe is your best solution if you ask me...
my suggestion if your going to have a pipe imbedded in concrete make sure you have the best pipe installed there.. s40 is commercial but i use super pipe so it will last for more than 50 years... its much thicker.
Re: fix leak or repipe?
Most of the problems I encounter with PVC pipes are often not the thickness but the joints. Some pipes that were installed in my house started leaking in just 4 or 5 years of installation. It's always best to prep the pipes well IMHO, whatever size it is...
Boyd
Re: fix leak or repipe?
Unless you are using very expensive (German or equiv.) pipes, I'd suggest exposed piping, much better/flexible in the long term. Ugly but leaks undetected will be a thing of the past.
Next thing is the one who is installing the pipes. The saying is, "you pay peanuts, you get monkeys." And even if they are reputable and expensive, vet them, check them out even as they are installing. You won't regret it.
Ask them to also give you a over-all piping installation for future reference.
Nicomambo, overhead piping for a house, if there is a leak, breakage, then you have to be ready for a lot of damage to walls, furniture, equipment and do watch out for the
electrical piping and mains wiring. Personally, I wouldn't do it.
Bite the bullet, re-pipe the whole house and preferably exposed. You can embed/hide
straight lengths of piping but joints should be accessible. Just tell your wife to look the other way. You'll save a LOT OF MONEY !!
Cheers and best of luck 🙂
Re: fix leak or repipe?
Unless you are using very expensive (German or equiv.) pipes, I'd suggest exposed piping, much better/flexible in the long term. Ugly but leaks undetected will be a thing of the past.
Next thing is the one who is installing the pipes. The saying is, "you pay peanuts, you get monkeys." And even if they are reputable and expensive, vet them, check them out even as they are installing. You won't regret it.
Ask them to also give you a over-all piping installation for future reference.
Nicomambo, overhead piping for a house, if there is a leak, breakage, then you have to be ready for a lot of damage to walls, furniture, equipment and do watch out for the
electrical piping and mains wiring. Personally, I wouldn't do it.
Bite the bullet, re-pipe the whole house and preferably exposed. You can embed/hide
straight lengths of piping but joints should be accessible. Just tell your wife to look the other way. You'll save a LOT OF MONEY !!
Cheers and best of luck 🙂
