• Leak Detection Services

Leak Detection Services Include

  • Plumbing Leaks
  • Shower and Faucet Leaks
  • Underground Plumbing Leaks
  • Toilet Leaks
  • Slab Leaks
  • Foundation Leaks
  • Stucco Leaks
  • Roofing Leaks
  • Building Envelope Leaks

Symptoms of a Leak

  • Rust spots on the ceiling, walls, or floors
  • Stains on the ceiling, walls, or floors
  • Running water sound
  • Stucco cracks or damage
  • Smell of sewage
  • Buckling or cracking cabinetry
  • Buckling or cracking flooring and baseboards
  • Buckling or cracking foundation
  • Stucco cracks or damage

Common Causes of a Leak

  • Burst pipes, leaking pipes, and damaged pipes
  • Defective or leaking fire sprinkler systems
  • HVAC operational and maintenance Issues
  • Roof damage
  • Wind damage
  • Building envelope damage
  • Hydrostatic pressure on the foundation
  • Damaged or ineffective windows or seals around the windows
How can we help you rebuild your dream home? We believe in servicing our clients in a way not typically experienced in this industry.

What is Water Damage?

Water damage is described various possible losses caused by water intruding where it will enable attack of a material or system by destructive processes such as rotting of wood, mold growth, bacteria growth, rusting of steel, swelling of composite woods, de-laminating of materials such as plywood, short-circuiting of electrical devices, etc.The damage may be imperceptibly slow and minor such as water spots that could eventually damage a surface, or it may be instantaneous and catastrophic such as burst pipes and flooding. However fast it occurs, water damage is a major contributor to loss of property. An insurance policy may or may not cover the costs associated with water damage and the process of water damage restoration.

Why is my foundation leaking? Why is my vinyl or wood floor buckling?

Rising groundwater creates hydrostatic pressure on foundation walls, causing moisture to infiltrate through cracks and joints and permeate solid concrete through capillary action (wicking). Capillary action refers to water’s ability to flow into narrow channels between porous building products, like concrete, acting like tubes due to adhesive and cohesive forces interacting between the liquid and the surface, without the assistance of gravity. Hydrostatic water pressure will intensify in areas with naturally high soil saturation levels, like those near ponds or creeks. Eventually, the water will accumulate to the point that it will exert hydrostatic pressure on the home’s concrete foundation. As the water passes through the concrete slab, the water will pick up minerals. As the water picks up minerals from the concrete slab, it will raise the pH of the water. The higher pH water will destroy the glue between the concrete floor and the homes flooring. That’s why wood flooring or vinyl tile would buckle in non-specific areas. As the water permeates through the floor it will begin to evaporate and turn into a vapor. Humidity is the presence of water vapor in the air and will also cause most items in the home to appear damp or moist. Humidity will cause mold under the right circumstances. High humidity can even damage most electronics.

Why is there a leak in my plumbing system? Why did a pipe in my home burst?

Many hundreds of millions of dollars in damage occur each year due to the corrosivity of water. Most leaks in your plumbing system are usually caused by corrosion and will eventually require replacement of some sort.

A leaking or burst pipe can cause a significant amount of damage in your home or business. While there are some things you can do to be proactive, if you are faced with a leaking or burst pipe, you must react quickly to get the water flow stopped, the water cleaned up, the moisture dried, and then restore the damaged area.

 Corrosive water can cause very serious problems in a home’s plumbing system contributing to leaking or burst pipes. Physical factors that influence corrosion include the type and arrangement of material in the plumbing system, system pressure, soil moisture, the presence of stray electric currents, temperature, and the water flow velocity. Chemical factors that influence corrosion are pH, dissolved oxygen, dissolved solids, and hardness. Biological factors that influence corrosion are iron bacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria.

Types of Corrosion

Erosion Corrosion

Erosion corrosion consists of the acceleration of or increase in attack to a metal by differences in the velocity of a corrosive fluid and the metal surface. In general, this velocity is high, and often effects of mechanical wear and abrasion are involved. Erosion corrosion results from violent turbulence at a particular site due to a disruption in the flow pattern, for example, in a pipe downstream of a constriction or an obstacle or in a bend.

Galvanic

A more complex form of electrochemical corrosion is caused by joining of dissimilar metals. This type of corrosion is called galvanic corrosion. The degree to which a particular metal will become anodic (corrode) in a galvanic reaction is related to its tendency to enter solution. The higher the level of activity, the greater the tendency for metal to corrode. Also, the farther the two metals are apart on the galvanic series, the greater corrosion potential. When Iron and copper pipes are joined, the iron will corrode if the water contains dissolved oxygen. When copper and lead solder are in contact, the lead becomes the anode and will corrode in the presence of copper.

Metallic

Metallic (metal) corrosion in potable water or wastewater is always the result of an electrochemical reaction. An electrochemical reaction is a chemical reaction where the flow of electric current itself is an essential part of the reaction. If the electric current is stopped by a breaking circuit, the chemical reaction will stop. Also, if the chemical reaction is stopped by removing one of the reacting chemicals, the flow of electric current will stop. For corrosion to occur, both electric current and chemical reaction must be present.

Physical factors influencing corrosion:

  • Plumbing System Construction

    The types of material used or the coating on both the inside and outside of the pipes play a major role in corrosion activity. The more noble (less reactive) the materials tend to corrode slower over time.

  • System Pressure

    If a system is under high pressure, corrosion can be affected greatly. Higher pressure, for example, increases the maximum concentration of corrosive gasses such as carbon dioxide and oxygen that can exist in water.

  • Soil Moisture

    For buried system distribution lines, moist soil can cause external pipe corrosion. The moisture functions as the electrolyte, the same as water inside the pipe does in the case of internal corrosion.

  • Flow Velocity

    Flow velocity has significant influences on corrosion. Moderate flow rates can be beneficial while very high or low flow rates usually increase the rate of corrosion.

  • Stray Electric Current

    Grounding of electric circuits to water pipes is common practice, but one that is not recommended because it can lead to corrosion of the pipes. Stray current effects are most pronounced on the outside of the pipe and fixtures, since water inside pipes has a much greater resistance to the rate of current flow than does metal.

  • Temperature

    The rate of chemical reactions usually increases as temperatures rises. Since chemical reactions are involved in corrosion, higher temperatures generally has the effect of increasing the corrosion rate.

Chemical factors influencing corrosion:

  • pH

    Low pH (<7) water tends to be corrosive while high pH (>7) water is usually protective of pipe materials. The pH of the water is influenced by the level of alkalinity present. The ability of an acid or base to change the pH when added to a given amount of water is a direct function of alkalinity.

  • Dissolved oxygen

    Oxygen is often considered the most corrosive component in water chemistry. Oxygen plays an important role in corrosion in both the anode and cathode.

  • Dissolved solids

    Solids dissolved in water are present as ions that increase the electrical conductivity of the water. Generally, the higher the dissolved solids or salt content of the water, the greater the potential for corrosion to occur due to the increased conductivity.

  • Hardness

    The dissolved form of some of the principal scale-forming components in water is referred to as harness. Hardness is comprised primarily of calcium and magnesium ions. If hardness levels are too high, calcium carbonate deposits can clog pipes and reduce flows.

Biological factors Influencing corrosion:

  • Iron bacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria

    Two types of microorganisms can play an important role in corrosion of water distribution systems are iron bacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria. Both can increase the rate of corrosion and the formation of undesirable corrosion by-products. Iron bacteria use dissolved oxygen as an energy source and sulfate-reducing bacteria use sulfate for their energy.

  • Hydrogen Sulfide

    Hydrogen sulfide is a naturally occurring compound in wastewater conveyance or collection systems. Under acidic or turbulent conditions in the collection system, hydrogen sulfide is released from the wastewater in the form of a gas. Thiobacillus bacteria that are present in the wastewater system oxidize, or react with, the hydrogen sulfide gas to form sulfuric acid. The resulting sulfuric acid corrodes sewer pipes and weakens concrete structures, and shortens the life of the collection system, setting the stage for dangerous sewer collapses.

Why Choose Water Nerds?

  •  Water Nerds is a family owned and operated business
  •  We are professionally licensed, insured, and bonded
  •  We have a superior understanding of water, fire, and mold sciences
  •  Building thermodynamics experts
  •  24/7 emergency response
  •  Fast response times
  •  Internal insurance claims team
  •  Internal legal team
  •  Free estimates
  •  We guarantee our work

Clients We Serve

  •  Residential
  •  Commercial
  •  Contractors
  •  Property Managers
  •  Private Business Owners
  •  Educational Institutions
  •  Government
  •  Insurance Industry

No matter the type or size of the leak we can help. Water Nerds LLC is a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor which specializes in leak detection. Our goal is to provide cost effective leak detection solutions for all of our clients in need of disaster recovery services. We focus on high quality construction through the use of various subcontractors which are experts in their associated trades. Contact us for a free estimate today!

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