What EVERY Plumber Needs to KNOW About Slab Leak Detection

[@comicdooder]

Great video! I'm commercial now but when I did residential service I was responsible for our leak detections. Basically did the same exact process. I also had a Milwaukee infrared imager for when I was lucky and had a leak on the hot side. Way easier to find when the leak is on the hot side.

[@jonfisher4273]

Mr. Wakefield I finally fixed that leak on the 12 bath, pool, irrigation, and nanny house on the lake finally found them all, 2 on the nanny house, pool had 8 leaks and irrigation leak was going into a drain line for pool that empties into lake. Whoever originally plumbed this place looped everything back into main system, 3 sections of the irrigation bypassed the main control and shutoff for the irrigation. It was an absolute nightmare 3 full days at least my customers are happy now that I got it all sorted out.

[@KD-hi6hh]

Good video Mr Roger !! For years I always subbed out my leak detections and after they found the location I would do the repair or bypass. I finally decided to start doing the detections myself.....I was surprised, it took me awhile to tune my ear for that sound - You can pick up an echo that can throw you off. Then post tension slabs, metal mesh, rebar, wrapped piping can all throw you a loop too. I'm in So Cal and most of us Plumbers rarely break up the slabs anymore because the pipe is just too old and pitted anymore - We usually sell a bypass....

[@HarrisWaterandSewer]

This is our world! Subsurface water main repairs in the sidewalk and roadway. We love the videos!

[@LuckySTR8]

We had one where the builder never bothered calling in a check out and went straight to pouring the house, the concrete crew broken the kitchen drain and nobody caught it until the house went to inspection and kept failing for not holding water. it was a 4 day job. running the camera, mostly struggling to make certain turns, jackhammering, digging, fixing and retesting. that was a massive back charge to the builder.

[@cju4300]

Is there a reliable leak detector for homeowner use?

[@troykidd3232]

Ive always had customers call the leak detection company. Ive been considering starting leak locate services.

[@HighPeaksHome]

As a carpenter/builder i found this very informative both from knowing what capability is out there and knowing what to expect from an actual proffessional! Oh and a pretty cool toy.. i mean tool 😁

[@RogerWakefield]

It is a very cool toy! 😂

[@TonyRule]

We old school grease monkeys have a similar system for finding the source of noises, using a long screwdriver with the handle in your ear placed on the closest non-rotating part, like the nut or bolt that secures it. I doubt it's sensitive enough for detecting water flow though, unless it's through a mostly closed valve or other volume restrictor.

[@TonyCampbellOfficial]

Not water related but sewer. Had a customer call and requested a camera of the line. Said the day before she had a R.R out and told her that her entire sewer line was compromised by roots and needed 28k to run a new one from the house to street. I sent a camera and didn't find a root or a single Crack. Line was perfect. Some companies give all plumbers a bad name.

[@markthompson7127]

They should be out of business very dishonest company everybody in the industry knows they are hacks

[@TonyRule]

I hope she didn't pay them a cent.

[@johne.meyerconstructionser7507]

Start with meter and gauge, correct. Then if it drops, then shut off ball valve on water heater. If pressure stays then leak is on hot side, etc. I see home inspection that never looks at or tested water and sewer system.

[@rtrevino2020]

Can you recommend a form/checklist

[@joshcowart2446]

I’m curious if anyone does the method we used 20 years ago when I started. That’s the only plumber I’ve seen do this. This would only work when you sleeve the pipe with insulation. We’d figure out which loop it is. Then we’d solder 2 90s on one end to make something to put a chain on. On the other end we’d attach a piece of pex. I think it will only work with crimp fittings. We’d hook a hi lift jack on the non pex end and jack it up. It would pull the copper out while at the same time pull the new pipe in. Then reconnect both ends and bobs your uncle. It was a small town so we didn’t have the manpower to tunnel. Plus I’m not sure I’d want to tunnel in sand. The only method similar to this I’ve seen is on KZbin. There’s a plumber who replaced both sewer and water lines without a trench. They basically run a steel cable through then a hydronic press pulls the new pipe through. This is only for mains though.

[@pjplumber2146]

Also it’s 2022. Can we stop putting fresh water in slabs? Drywall is easier to repair and the attic is insulated. With heat rising naturally. The attic won’t freeze.

[@conchim99]

Where can i buy the listening tool,?

[@RogerWakefield]

Visit www.leak-pro.com

[@elkmeat3tpo871]

Any water in a house we get the call first 🤠

[@86murph1]

What is the name of the leak detection rod?

[@RogerWakefield]

Side kick

[@daveayerstdavies]

Does anyone still use an old-school listening stick?

[@capri8225]

Would you be offended if my little boy dresses up as you for Halloween?

[@RogerWakefield]

Ha that would be awesome!

[@joey12344715]

I'm pulling my hair out trying to find a leak. There's 6 buildings on one meter. High water bill, raising each month, spiking this month. No puddling anywhere. No tenants reported noises or moisture. No clue if it's the water mains, water services, or under one of the slabs

[@RogerWakefield]

www.leak-pro.com

[@trubolab]

Congratulations. I only saw beginner videos and rudimentary equipment. No offense :-)

[@VamooseRooter]

Who else out here putting $$ in your bank account?? Roger, that’s who. Thanks Roger!

[@kevinBaconism162]

Roger wakefield gang gang

[@hitechmechanical8258]

That looks like a sifi tools 😂

[@MasonAhrens-dt7or]

Man I want that so bad I sue to use the old systems!!