Sonar/Radar: Plumbers can map water and sewer lines outside using a sonar device. Ground-penetrating radar may also be used. The equipment is rolled along the ground. If a buried pipe is located, it will show on a display.
There are several types to choose from: Electromagnetic Conductivity (EM), Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), and Acoustic Methods. The two major methods used today are EM and GPR.
Water pipe detector
Also known as a pipe locator, this tool can sense metal pipes and some can even detect plastic piping. A good quality pipe detector can save you from many headaches and unnecessary holes in the walls.
Wall scanners and digital detectors represent the cutting edge in home diagnostic tools. These devices, typically featuring screen displays, project a visual map of what lies behind the veil of your wall. Besides showing the skeletal stud structure, they can accurately locate plumbing and electrical conduits.
Check the service line where it enters your home
You'll want to find where the service line enters your home—typically in the basement or crawl space, just prior to the shutoff valve. The water meter may be in the same location, but in some areas, the water meters are outside the home.
Today, the best tool for the job is ground penetrating radar (GPR) as it accurately maps metal and PVC pipes.
Who is Responsible for the Water Line From the Street to Your House? Water service lines within the bounds of your property are considered your personal responsibility to maintain, while public water pipes outside of private property lines are the city's responsibility.
An electric stud finder detects a ferrous object—a black pipe—in our test wall. Magnetic stud finders are good to use for tasks like hanging pictures and bathroom mirrors. Some electric stud finders also identify metal pipes and electrical wires.
Expert pipe locators and water leak detectors attend residential and commercial premises to inspect and test with advanced leak detection equipment such as underground pipe locators, Hydrogen tracer gas, acoustic systems, thermal imaging and inspection cameras. Leak detection for plumbers with tracer gas.
Thermal detectors These detectors are specifically used for water pipes and are more effective in locating radiator pipes. It uses the change in thermal energy around the wall to detect the location of pipes. You might have to take the readings a couple of times to get an exact or more accurate location.
It comes straight into your house from the water mains. The water from this tap is usually moving and flowing and has not been stagnant (still or stationary).
There are generally two types of stud finders: magnetic and electronic. Magnetic stud finders use a magnet to detect metal studs and other materials, including pipes, behind a wall. Electronic stud finders are able to sense a wider range of materials behind a wall, including wiring and PVC pipes.
You can see plans at your local council office.
The best place to find the route of your supply pipe is in the documents you received when you bought your property. They will outline all the responsibilities covered under your ownership, including pipework.
Your water line must be buried at least 12 inches below the frost line to meet local code requirements. However, a minimum depth of 6 inches below the frost line is often recommended for extra security against freezing.
The plumber introduces a high-visibility colored dye in the system where they suspect a leak, then observes the flow and watches for the dye to leak from plumbing connections. If the leak is obscured, the dye test can lead the plumber to the source of the leak.
This type of leak detection costs can range from $150 to $1200; the average is $400.00.
Most buildings insurance policies cover the cost of repairs due to pipes bursting or water leaking. Check the terms and conditions because if you leave a property empty and damage occurs, you might not be covered for this loss.
Sonar/Radar: Plumbers can map water and sewer lines outside using a sonar device. Ground-penetrating radar may also be used. The equipment is rolled along the ground. If a buried pipe is located, it will show on a display.
Here Are the Ways of Finding a Water Line in the Walls
Use a specialized wall scanner to find plastic, metal, studs, or blockages. 2. Use a high-quality stud finder to detect pipes. A stud finder is an effective tool, informing you about the type of thing found in the walls while water runs through them.
Use an Infrared Camera
If you cannot see the more obvious signs like paint bubbling on the wall water damage can be difficult to confirm. An infrared camera offers a quick and non-intrusive solution to detect a water leak in your wall.
If these are damaged or break, the homeowner might be responsible for the repair. A standard homeowners policy does not cover the service lines running into the home—unless you've added service line coverage.
The easiest way to find underground pipes is by using RTK-enabled devices. These devices can pinpoint the location of several types of pipes, from water to oil pipes, with centimeter-level precision.
If you detect a leak anywhere in your yard, it's usually your responsibility to have the issue taken care of. That means calling a plumbing expert to get the job done.