How a PROFESSIONAL PLUMBER Finds PLUMBING LEAKS UNDER A SLAB FOUNDATION

How a PROFESSIONAL PLUMBER Finds PLUMBING LEAKS UNDER A SLAB FOUNDATION - Leak Detection
At my plumbing company, we love finding plumbing leaks under people's slabs. It's our specialty and most of our job are finding and repairing sewer and water plumbing leaks.
today I'm going to show you how my professional plumbers find plumbing leaks under slab foundations with ease and confidence.
Enjoy!
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Thanks for watching! I'm Roger Wakefield, LEED AP, The Expert Plumber and welcome to my channel. On this channel, I teach homeowners how to save money on their plumbing by doing DIY plumbing projects. I also teach plumbers and plumbing company owners how to be the best plumbers in their area and run successful plumbing businesses. My goal is to teach you everything you need to know about plumbing.
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[@pleasehelp1390]

im a teenage aspiring plumber and ur videos help me a lot thank you

[@sqaure4175]

You a plumber yet?

[@pleasehelp1390]

@@sqaure4175 no, like an idiot i went into law.

[@creatorunlock]

Roger and his team did an amazing job fixing my slab leak! Texas Green Plumbing is the best!

[@RogerWakefield]

Jeremy Vest thank you so much. You and your family were great to work with. Wish I could say the same about your insurance company.

[@protectork9831]

@@RogerWakefield which insurance company was that . Black list them

[@bradb9055]

Love your videos, Roger. I'm an apprentice and these videos get me a step ahead of my peers. Working out of Vancouver, BC. New construction. Keep it up! I did a test just like this last week.

[@RogerWakefield]

Brad do y’all have a lot of slab leaks in Canada? I would think you would have more basements not so much slab oh grade.

[@kylefogle6022]

Nice video roger! Seems like a good first step towards leak detection. Your point about leaving the clean out plug loose is one alternative to what's required here which is an overflow valve where the sewer lateral connects to the building drain. Some towns require on at the house and one at the edge of your property. One of 2 types are used around here, a contra Costa valve which looks like a silver mushroom with a ball inside, or a more inconspicuous in line pop up valve. Both function opposite of say an aav.

[@kareemrose5668]

Very helpful. Even more so knowledgeable

[@deanhansen9306]

Roger's videos are so helpful!

[@RogerWakefield]

Dean I’m glad that you like them. Are you in plumbing and what all have you learned here?

[@julianortega6664]

This is a pretty thorrow video thank Roger!

[@PaulGarrettRealtors]

another Realtor appreciates the help!

[@cee4788]

Love your videos man

[@flutetubamorg]

Just a thought from a recent experience: Sometimes the meter valve leaks by even when shut which can give you a misleading result on your water pressure test.

[@saltlifegull4091]

Dang, we need this guy in NW Florida! Now that's what I'm talking about--Roger's amazing! Had no idea that plumbers here won't look for leaks:( Ya gotta pay $350 to another company just to detect the leak, not fix it. Yeah, I'm old school, but when did this practice begin? Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Subscriber

[@rancidfarts8993]

I liked it when you say hose bib Rodger it makes me laugh. Hey roger i did not know you were an expert in landscaping

[@arthurmiller8336]

Great information I like it

[@arthurmiller8336]

Iam trying to learn about becoming a plumber you are helping me thank you

[@deanhansen9306]

I own the Farmers Insurance agency in Allen on Watters Road. Slab leaks are very common and our homeowners policy has excellent coverage for our clients. Detection and repair can be very costly. With your experience I'm sure it would be done efficiently and correctly the first time!

[@RogerWakefield]

Dean Hansen thank you sir. I actually teach insurance companies, real estate agents, and other plumbers how to do this correctly. They also share our videos to their customers so they know what we are talking about. We always try to do it right the first time.

[@TheFunnyclips101]

Wondering if you had water come out the wax rings in the house Also 80 psi is a little high for a home 75 psi is max on a system that home might need a pressure regulator on that system or adjust the existing one great job though definitely enjoy the vids 👍🏽

[@kittychops09]

I watched another video about installing a cleanout, and you had talked about the ball test. A link out to this video would be great for DIYers. Thanks for the info

[@pauljohnson2058]

Hi Roger, I’m a home inspector in Palm Springs, CA. I saw your comment that you teach insurance agents and real estate agents how to test. Do you have a class I can take? I just want to be able to provide my clients the water and sewer test. Does this test also apply with septics? ANY of your expertise and knowledge would be tremendously appreciated. LOVE ALL YOUR VIDEOS AND THANK YOU FOR DOING THEM!

[@pacopeso8474]

Thanks Roger, we bought a new home and found a leak under the slab. Thankfully it was under warranty

[@noearizpe7009]

You can also throw some teflon tape or anti seize on the brass cap so its easier to open

[@joshuaricks7730]

For those that don't know, it is important to put it on world clock because you can actually change your clock manually on your phone.

[@cvega78]

Or shower kinda confusing but think the pressure for sewer is for the ball to fill up he is going by the water level to see if water level drops. When water level is up to clean out rim the water will not over fill toilet or shower

[@michaelflynn2306]

Me. Wakefield, what kind of wax do you apply to your test ball? I’ve never heard of this trick. I’ve done something similar with anti seize and pipe dope, just experimenting, but as you can probably guess its quite messy. Do you think this would help with pacifiers too?

[@charlesking678]

How does the sewer test work if you don't have a double clean out?

[@RogerWakefield]

We recommend installing the clean outs. That is the only way to do it with 100% accuracy!

[@MrDallasboy33]

it actually 88 psi which is a little high, recommended pressure is 60 to 80 and some that seem that they a PRV. but I like your videos I do be learning thing that I haven't came across

[@papasjournal5309]

I did the pressure gauge test in our water line, pressure drops after closing the valve before the water meter (indicating a leak). but if the valve is open the meter is totally still. Any idea please.

[@CarolStDenis]

So how do you find the actual leak in the hose bib test if the pressure does drop? I have a similar situation with a brick wall with hose bib and water coming up into the garage behind it, and unfortunately a storm shelter. How do I figure out where the actual thing is leaking? It's not the bib itself.

[@alfonsoh3]

Great video Roger, very helpful. These steps really do help, where do you recommend buying the long air hose for the test ball?

[@RogerWakefield]

Alfonso I have a guy here in Dallas that makes them for me. They are fantastic!!! What do you use now?

[@mordybrafman]

@@RogerWakefield Does he sell on the web? I want a longer one as well. Right now I am just daisy chaining the 3ft cherne yellow hoses. thanks in advance Roger. keep rocking ur content

[@mordybrafman]

@@RogerWakefield I couldn't find a proper long one online

[@naturalhealing9970]

How do you do this on the interior main sewer line when you only have a one-way clean out?

[@jonturpin1712]

Does the washing machine or a dish washer have to have any thing done to them so thay wont leak pressure through them there hook up

[@cottawalla]

I know I have a leak in the house somewhere but cannot locate it. No evidence of moisture anywhere. I suspect it's under the house which is not accessible so I need to locate it precisely before I start demolishing floors or walls to fix it. I did at least find a vertical level for the leak by connecting an open ended transparent tube to the lowest point where water enters the house and letting it find its level after filling and then closing the isolation valve. It confirms the sub floor suspicion so now I need horizontal coordinates.

[@haciamirumbo]

I have a question: If you filled out the main sewer what happens with the toiles? I think the water is going to coming up from the base of the toilet. Do you plug the flange? Thanks

[@truaxdavid]

Great video. You mention that you wax the test ball. What kind of wax do you use?

[@kepstein8888]

If you put the caps on slightly loose to keep sewege from backing into the house in case of a backup, is there some kind of relief valve you can put on one of the clean-outs so it would automatically open if there was a backup?

[@bryanmontgomery4050]

Yes, ten bucks on Amazon.

[@Bobherry]

Was that a house trap where the cleanouts were right beside each other? I have never seen one because code doesn't permit them here in Tennessee.

[@RogerWakefield]

Not a house trap. Two-Way Cleanouts...

[@reeaub]

So I'm now looking for a way to find the leak under the slab. Though this video was going to show that. My clean out is only 1 visible pipe not 2

[@timothykeith1367]

That's also my question. A plumber told me they position a test ball and flood the drain pipe and verify that the water level remains constant, then move the test ball and flood the drain pipe again. But, what if there is another leak past the first leak, how do they temporarily block the first leak?

[@patrickbouldinkm5l143]

What is Plan B if the hose bib has a vacuum breaker?

[@GregGuerrero-bf3mj]

Is it possible for water to leak as fast as it is being filled (ie never fill up), and there is no evidence of a water related problem inside or outside the house?

[@elnerytex-mex8804]

Question Roger. To do this kind of test need to have a master plumber license? Thank you nice video

[@RichardPuou]

Hi Roger, my kitchen sink pipes get clogged about every 3 weeks. I run a snake through it and it works great about for 3 weeks then i need to run a snake through it again. I think I might have a damaged pipe that possible dirt falls back in after cleaned. My father in-law thinks it's my protein shake causing this. Lol! What do you think it might be?

[@jgetscensored7837]

Roger!!! I hope you see this and have some good advice for me. My shower was backing up. I took a plunger to it. Toilet paper and… other stuff… came up into my shower. Among the grossness, a plastic cap (believed to be a test cap) floated up. What do I need to do? We haven’t used any water since it happened. I turned off water to my house for the night. The idea of an uncapped hole sounds very bad to me.

[@acihawaii]

Sewer Water Test How long is your hose for test ball ? How many test balls did you use for this house associated to clean outs ? Wanted to try this on my vacation rental...!!!

[@josev6660]

Nice. And now it's time to troubleshoot my slab leak In my kitchen 😔

[@DTSupstateNY]

Hear me out Roger, they have a meter in the house now if all the faucets are kept off and you take not of the meter, 30mins later if the meter has changed well there’s a leak.

[@kevinthekozakian]

Correct

[@kevindale2010]

Roger, you should get yourself a nice set of knipex wrenches, you can't afford cheap tools!😉

[@timothykeith1367]

How do you locate the under slab leak when this type of test identifies a leak?

[@catherineedwards3203]

I wish you were in Florida! The water dept. says i used enough water to fill a swimming pool in a week I can hear water running in the walls.. There's no water in the house or in the front/back yard. Leak detection guys found nothing. Any ideas where I might look?

[@RogerWakefield]

If you can hear it in the walls and they can’t there’s a problem. What equipment did they use? I wish I was in Florida too.

[@catherineedwards3203]

@@RogerWakefield They said that water could echo through the pipes, so that did not lead them to the leak. They had a stethoscope, put some radio tracer on the pipes and then tried to read it and they put air in the lines

[@cvega78]

Check your water heater probably bad thermostat and your water is getting to hot in tank and the relief valve is discharging that hot water constantly.

[@dougbutler4621]

Seems like filling the drain lines from the clean out wouldn’t catch a leak located above the clean out height/elevation. Would filling up the drain lines from inside by running the bath, lavatory, and kitchen faucets be more comprehensive?

[@elranchitostudio5463]

The problem with that would be if cast venting coming up from the foundation is curroded/cracked. This would cause water damage inside the home during tested.

[@Elephantnuts]

I think that’s happened to every plumber once in their life where they forget to turn back the water on and leave only to get a call saying there’s No Water

[@mikemazzuccorealtor2]

Did you take the valve stem out of that ball I presume?

[@joseartiaga3048]

Do i got to turn off the water heater?

[@leewashaleski7719]

Single gal in Louisville KY Any recommendations? Truth worthy water leak coming up in hallway under fake wood floors. Slab home please help I'm desperate

[@affordablesolutions8516]

I was trying to find this tool online, through google search. I see the rubber inflatable test balls but do you air it up with just a bicycle pump? Can you explain in detail what the setup is? I see different prices, can you give recommendations?

[@vincem.5404]

Affordable Solutions ya they are just called test balls they have the same valves as a bike tire.

[@onthemudd1]

Can you put the link to the tools used in this video thanks

[@Zambia974]

Roger where can I get that ball test kit

[@titohornbuckle6604]

💯👌🏾👍🏾

[@donheene5733]

I can just see your phone falling down that clean out. Oops I'm gonna have to dig up your sewer line.

[@RogerWakefield]

Don Heene I have seen that happen. I am very careful about where I place it. You ever dropped anything down in a sewer or grease trap?

[@phindele]

Hi Ronger , i will try answer you have asked last i hope that it will clear From 4 years and 3 months to 4 years 9 months specialties: Plumbing Technician, Plumbing and Plumber, Plumbing Energy Specialist and Ventilation Technician Admission requirements for basic courses: which is 9 months Graduates of the primary school or the like. corresponding to the grade E in Danish and mathematics Transitional requirements for main courses: Be aware that there are specific requirements when switching to the main course Distribute Education: Designated for benefits education Practical training: Opportunity for school internship Economy: SU and student salary 10 weeks in school and the rest of the you work for the company ,you get you salary from Your campany and school is free . 1.plumber fitter her you have 3,5 years its just a JOURNEYMAN Workplaces: Plumbing & Plumbing Companies, Waterworks, Institutions, Larger Industrial Companies Job titles: Plumbing Fitter, Oil furnace 2.Plumbing energy technician Workplaces: (with this you can go school 2 years extra to became a Master) Gas, Water and Sanitation Masters, Sewage Masters, Water Works, Gas Works, Industrial Companies Job titles: Plumbing Energy Technician, Ventilation Technician, Gas Technician (Fitter), Plumber, Plumber, Oil Lighthouse Technician Cooling Technologies, extra training to become Master and you must have a plumbing certificate as well Service companies, Production companies, Refrigerators Job titles: Refrigeration Technician, Service Technician

[@SKplumbingworks]

What is the prize of machine that u r use...,?

[@RogerWakefield]

S K plumbing works which machine are you talking about? I have spent about 40k on leak detection equipment. Several different ones.

[@leewashaleski7719]

What if I don't have a clean out sir

[@stephaniejohnson2319]

Howdy. Dumb Blonde Soccer Mom here. I think I have a slab leak and all the plumbers I’m contacting are eager to come out and do a hydrostatic test. I’ve watched several of your videos on this process. I want a simple sewer/water test and I’m being told by these companies that it’s a “Back Flow Test”. Is this the same? The folks answering the phone are doing just that. They are not familiar with the plumbing process. I don’t want to spend a $50 come-and -see- fee to find out how they intend to do the testing. Any suggestions? I’ve called three “reputable” companies now. Could you refer anyone?

[@stephaniejohnson2319]

I’m in Houston, almost in Katy, TX

[@A1FAHx]

@@stephaniejohnson2319 I have the same problem! I am in South Houston, did you find someone you liked? Thank you!

[@jimpflugrath6220]

What if a faucet or toilet is leaking inside the house? Wouldn't the pressure gauge show a drop in pressure as well? How does one distinguish a slab leak from a regular ol' leak? Sure, you go into the house and check out the faucets and toilets first I suppose.

[@RogerWakefield]

Jim Pflugrath you do have to find and fix those leaks first!

[@wickedleeloopy2115]

There can always be more than 1 leak.

[@naturalhealing9970]

What if you only have one clean out?

[@auspicioustoot]

Did you say you put wax on the test ball?

[@CarseyQueen]

I'm thinking of becoming a plumber as a career I'm only 15 buy everyone is telling me to figure out what to do when I'm older and I'm really interested in this career I'm thinking of finding a plumber in my area and become an apprentice should I stick with it even though my mom thinks I could do something more even though I think it's a great plan.

[@isaiah92]

Plumbing is fun bro. Perfect job for us men. Open road, meet lots of people. Decent pay. Good luck youngster.

[@thomasr1051]

Do you want to pay for your education or get paid while being educated

[@mickeyowano5788]

I love to see you young guys that have a good worth ethic nowadays it's hard to find a 30-year-old plumber that will ever have as good of a work ethic as you. Where are you from SavageDolphin86? Im going to guess Flordia? If you are close to me I would hire you and get your apprenticeship started right away! Keep up the good work, Knowledge is power and Nobody can ever take it from you! The more you know the more you are worth to a company. I wish I could get younger guys like you. Good to see they still exist.

[@lukecoster4246]

Plumbing you can make a lot of money trust me like 200k a year if you work hard.

[@hahalolcakes]

What if the valve on the water meter doesn't shut off completely? It will continue to pressureize the system even if there is a leak

[@RogerWakefield]

If the valve won't close completely you won't be able to run a proper test. You'll have to find a way to shut off the water completely

[@hahalolcakes]

@@RogerWakefield Here in NZ, what we do is turn everything off inside, and just take before/after photos of the watermeter to determine if there is any leaks on the system

[@RogerWakefield]

Some leaks are small enough to that the meter won’t turn at all though. Even the new digital meter that says it reads everything.

[@erincrone5544]

How many times have you found rattlesnakes in the water box

[@mickm5097]

Not entirely convinced this isn't John C Reilly in disguise.

[@arica4287]

Friend one posibility traslate this video in english with subtítulos

[@noelfernandez1442]

80 psi?!?!? Sheesh

[@protectork9831]

I am building a house. Slab is poured . Two mistakes happened . Sink was installed in wrong location. Now there is also a leak. I have holes on my new slab because of expolaration . Plumber can't find the leak. Camera showed nothing

[@UntamedOutdoorsCo]

A camera cant find a leak only a break. Get a new plumber that knows what they are doing.

[@wearytrader535]

I feel bad for the plants :(

[@ds4331]

Interesting video but it is not what the title says..."how to FIND plumbing leaks under slab foundation"

[@Gray-Today]

I see you are blocking VPNs. Your admin is a dork.

[@stephengressel5376]

You don't really show how to find a leak, since you did not have a leak.