FAQ

CPLD can help you find the 7 signs that you have a slab leak:

• A sudden spike in water bills but water usage is the same as it always was
• Water pooling (This is never a good sign)
• Damp carpet or warped hard flooring
• Mold or mildew, be it visible or just that you can smell it
• Decrease in water pressure
• Your hot water heater is constantly running
• Areas of your floor that are suddenly hot for no apparent reason
• A moving water meter dial when pipes aren’t in use

Slab leaks are caused by a variety of factors. From shoddy workmanship to earthquakes a slab leak can be destructive and expensive to fix. Here are some examples CPLD finds when checking for slab leaks: Pre-Damage and Poor Installation When building a home, some materials get a little banged up. If it’s your pipes that experience any damage, it could cause problems in the long run. Also, if the pipes were not correctly installed, there’s a good chance that they won’t function properly once they have a house sitting on top of them. Ground/Foundation Shifts Ground shifts, earthquakes, room additions can all cause the ground of your home starts to move. When this happens, your pipes can take the hardest hit. While pipes are strong and can withstand a lot of things, too much pressure can really take a toll and cause them to leak. Abrasion Pipes are going to expand and contract as water flows through them. Hot water, cold weather and how your home was built can determine whether or not a leak will occur. If the pipes are in a place where they are exposed to concrete, gravel, even other pipes, they could start to rub against them (until they eventually wear down) if they don’t have enough room to expand. Corrosion The most common fault in home plumbing systems with copper pipes, corrosion can be a big factor in having a slab leak. Since these pipes are located underground, it’s only natural for them to come into contact with soil. However, the addition of soil can cause the pipes to corrode faster over time.

Call the CPLD professionals as soon as possible. They can locate the leak and provide you with the best plan of action. It may be a simple fix, or it could call for a re-piping of your home. In any case, CPLD can assess and remedy the problem. By acting quickly, you could save your home from significant damage and huge expenses in the long run. Contact the professionals at CPLD today at 800-450-LEAK to discuss your home’s plumbing problems and maintenance!
For more info about Concrete Scanning services form CPL Detections, click here

There are a variety of detection methods, electronic, GPR, video crawlers, concrete scanning… each provide their own unique method of detection. CPLD uses them all Since they are under the ground, subterranean leaks can be difficult to address. You will need CPLDs professional plumbers who have been trained and certified to handle these types of jobs. If you discover that you have a leak, don’t worry. Your friends at CPLD are here to help!. We will send one of our experienced plumbers to your home to help you locate the leak and effectively fix the issue. CPLD has specialized underground leak detection equipment that allows a service technician to pinpoint the exact location of the leak. Only a professional underground water leak detector will be able to perform a definitive leak test, and will be able to help you solve any water problems in your home. CPLD accomplishes this by a combination of expertise and specialty tools. CPLDs technologically advanced water leak detectors are sensitive and accurate – this allows our team to repair your pipes as quickly and cost effectively as possible. Without digging or intrusive destruction to your home. Contact CPLD to learn more about water main leaks, underground water leak detectors. We also offer a full range of sewer and water main services. All site visits to you are free, and with no obligation to hire us.

Electronic leak detection equipment amplifies the sound of the moving water, using microphones, digital amplifiers and filters, allowing the leaking pipe to be identified. Once the leaking line is identified then the pressure in the line can be altered to create a specific sound that the technician uses to pinpoint the leak. A CPLD technician will assess all information regarding where a potential leak may be happening and use an electronic leak detector, line tracing equipment, camera inspection, and static pressure testing to locate the specific source of the leak. This process is used for all types of plumbing systems, under concrete slabs, main water lines, swimming pool plumbing systems, and others. As long as a system can be isolated and pressure tested, leaks can be located using electronic detectors. The more accurately a leak can be pinpointed, the less damage to access the leak, saving time and money.

Yes, if you are that DIY kind of person. Locating a leak can be difficult on your own, but doing so will help the professionals at CPLD coming out to repair the problem. The minute you think that you’re dealing with an underground leak, you need CPLD to locate the spot with our specialty equipment. If you have an idea of the problem pipe, point them in that direction. You can decrease the time it takes to evaluate the extent of the problem and the best way to fix it. The CPLD professionals use infrared cameras, sound equipment and additional leak detection tools to discover what’s going on without breaking through the concrete in the slab. How much does it cost to get a leak fixed? As with any type of repair costs there are different factors which influence the final price. Regardless of them, the most important part of a leak repair is locating it in time. This can save both money and the time needed for repairs. When a leak happens, call CPLD for professional help immediately. The leak itself is usually not hard to repair, but the damage it does in the meantime can be great. One of the biggest factors influencing the repair price, is how easy it is locate and reach. After the pipes have been fixed, there are also possible additional expenses due to damage done by the leak. The good news is that most of the expenses are usually covered by specific home insurance.

Fixing setting or sinking will involve leveling a foundation which averagely costs $1,000 to $3,000. Setting and sinking may cause further damage to a home’s foundation. Having CPLD assess the leaks and cracks will be a step in identifying early warning signs. These issues signal problems of soil or moisture, which need to be addressed before securing the foundation. This adds to the overall cost of fixing the problem.

The piering or underpinning method of repair requires excavations and installing piers, which raise the foundation. This method costs $1,000 to $3,000 on average. Leveling and slab jacking is a method of repair whereby a mixture is poured into the space under the foundation in order to float it back into its original position. It costs between $500 to $1,300 making it relatively affordable though not recommended for every foundation type. Sealing involves waterproofing a foundation to fight moisture and drainage problems. It costs on average $2,000 to $6,000.
For more info about Remote Crawler & Video Inspection services form CPL Detections, click here

Yes. With today’s technology CPLD has many options for our professional plumbers to find any leak, anywhere. There are a variety of detection methods, electronic, GPR, video crawlers, concrete scanning… each provide their own unique method of detection. CPLD uses them all. An electronic leak detection machine finds leaks in water systems, toilets, drains, slabs, industrial pipes, steam pipes, oil pipes and other pipes transporting liquids.
For more info about Leak Detection services form CPL Detections, click here

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a geophysical method that uses radar pulses to image the subsurface. This nondestructive method uses electromagnetic radiation in the microwave band (UHF/VHF frequencies) of the radio spectrum, and detects the reflected signals from subsurface structures. GPR provides its own source of energy, locates both metallic and non-metallic objects, detects disturbed soil conditions and other buried structures. When CPLD scans an area with GPR, unknown or unrecorded buried structures can be identified and marked. Correlating responses with “as-built” records enable verification and identification of buried utilities. Vacuum excavation can then be targeted to expose GPR responses from undocumented infrastructure or natural obstructions. List of GPR Survey Applications:

• Concrete Scanning & Assessment
• Utility Locating
• Forensic & Law Enforcement
• Roads & Bridges
• Infrastructure
• Mining & Quarrying
• Geo-technical & Environmental
• Archaeology
• Military
• Agriculture & Forestry
• Ice and Snow
• Custom Solutions

Yes, although ground penetrating radar may sound harmful, it is extremely safe and emits roughly 1% of the power of a cell phone signal. Electromagnetic emissions from ground penetrating radar systems manufactured by US Radar Inc. do not constitute a safety or health hazard under normal operating conditions. The emissions are far below the 10mW/cm² (100W/m²) level specified by United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and similar regulations in other jurisdictions.

GPR can reach depths of up to 100 feet (30 meters) in low conductivity materials such as dry sand or granite. Moist clays, shale, and other high conductivity materials, may attenuate or absorb GPR signals, greatly decreasing the depth of penetration to 3 feet (1 meter) or less For applications requiring higher resolution, such as locating rebar or conduits in concrete, a higher frequency GPR system (1,000 MHz) is used. This will give high resolution detail for down to approximately 24 inches in depth. Applications which require deeper penetration in ground soil requires a lower frequency (12.5 MHz to 500 MHz). Depending on the subsurface material the depth range can be from a few inches to thousands of feet. Other factors include:

1. WEATHER CONDITIONS Because moisture raises the conductivity of the ground, especially clay soil and silt, deep snow and rain can be a factor in utility locating. Once the radar touches any ground holding moisture, it bounces right back. This makes it tough to read anything past that water table. Therefore, the winter months are not ideal to do any type of locating.
2. SOIL CONDITIONS IN AREA Now that you know that moisture plays a role in messing with GPR data, the types of soil conditions that become a factor are those that hold the moisture the most, like clay soil or silt. Interestingly enough, sandy soils, although typically near bodies of water, are more ideal to scan over than clay soils.
3. SURFACE AREA – CLEARANCE AND OBSTACLES The surface being scanned becomes a factor for GPR data when the terrain is rough enough to cause the equipment to separate from the surface more than 2 to 3 inches. The quality of the data when this happens is then compromised. Ideally, the surface needs to be reasonably flat with a good amount of clearance. Obstacles, like trees and bushes, are mainly factors that can cause a delay in the time.

Ferro Scanning enables easy location of steel reinforcement in concrete. It can locate steel reinforcing to 180mm deep. Determines depth, diameter and condition of steel (copper and aluminium). Verify location of steel reinforcing in concrete. Ferro Scanning is an easy, non-destructive method of locating steel reinforcement in concrete structures. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) allows us to accurately locate post tension, rebar (single & multi-mat grids), conduits, determine grouted and ungrouted cells within concrete masonry walls and provide our clients with an approximate depth. Our services include:

• Determine Concrete Thickness
• Column and beam scanning
• Mark Rebar location prior to drilling
• Mark out conduits within slab
• Void Detection in concrete masonry wall and concrete pavement

For more info about GPR services form CPL Detections, click here

A residential video sewer inspection can cost $100-$800, but averages about $250-$500, depending on the length of the pipes, local rates, if the inspection is being done in conjunction with other work or as a separate job, and whether the images are just sent to a monitor or are recorded for later viewing. A typical sewer camera inspection costs $150 for a residential sewer lateral inspection, and most video inspections are completed within one hour (sewer line inspection cost varies if more time is required). The $150 fee includes all set-up, inspection and clean-up time, and time for you to talk to our knowledgeable service technician and get direct answers to your plumbing concerns. Plus, the paid sewer camera inspection fee will be credited towards the replacement of your sewer lateral. There are times a sewer lateral inspection may cost more. If there is no accessible clean out, we may need to remove a toilet, complete the camera inspection, and reinstall the toilet, and for that we charge another $150.

A sewer scope is a video inspection of the lateral sewer line leading from the house at/near the foundation and connecting to the city or HOA tap or septic tank. Sewer-scoping the line can reveal blockages, damage to the pipe system, and other problems, which are vital for homeowners and home buyers to be aware of. CPLD will run a scope which is a camera on the end of a hose all the way down the sewer line from the house out to the sewer main. It’s very important to do one because you obviously have no idea what is going on in that sewer line until there’s a problem. Even in newer construction homes, where we’ve encountered heavy equipment crushing sewer lines when they’re building the house or a joint connection might be just disconnected

Clay pipes can last between 50 to 60 years. PVC pipes have been designed to last for longer. They can last for more than 100 years. Despite the durability, sewer pipes are bound to wear out with time. Even though they have been designed to be used for a particular period, it does not necessarily mean that they will. Thus, it is vital to look out for warning signs of a broken down sewer. Such signs include foul smell and strange gurgling sounds. When you notice such, contact an expert immediately. For more info about Video Sewer Inspection services form CPL Detections, click here

1. See if your home has a rotten egg or sulfuric smell. …
2. Listen for a hissing or whistling noise near your appliances or pipes. …
3. Check if the flames on your gas stove are orange or yellow instead of blue. …
4. Watch for a white cloud or dust moving near your gas
5. Bubbles in the water
6. Damaged Gas Pipe
7. Dead House Plants

CPL provides the service of doing the required gas surveys for homes and other facilities that are to be done on an annual basis.  We will then provide you with a report that states the location, type of leak, what is it’s hazardous potential and a picture of the leak. If you would like to see an example of our reports, please call our office at 619-873-1530.

No, carbon monoxide detectors will not detect natural gas leaks. A carbon monoxide detector will only detect carbon monoxide unless otherwise stated. However, natural gas companies often put an additive in the natural gas to give it a distinct odor. This makes it easy to detect a gas leak. the carbon-monoxide detectors (even though installed too high up) would NOT alert you to a natural-gas leak. Carbon-monoxide detectors ONLY alert for carbon monoxide (which is odorless — one reason it can be so deadly), NOT for natural gas. You Cannot Always Smell a Gas Leak . No matter how good your nose is, you may not be in the right place at the right time to notice a natural gas or propane leak. Carbon monoxide alarms ALONE do NOT detect propane/methane/natural gas leaks. Carbon monoxide sensors detect ONLY carbon monoxide, not raw fuel or fumes.

Yes, but in the case of a potential gas leak, your single best detector is your own nose. You can supplement your power of smell with a natural gas alarm, many of which will also test for propane and carbon monoxide

Gas leaks can be harmful, even fatal, to humans, pets and house plants. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, call CPLD and we can test your home for possible causes due to a gas leak.

• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea.
• Eye and throat irritation.
• Fatigue.
• Breathing problems.
• Pale skin or blisters, which only occur if skin comes in contact with compressed or liquid gas.

YES, THEY CAN. They should be taken very seriously. The big risk is fire or explosion–enough to lose your home and injure or kill everyone in it. Carbon monoxide poisoning. Incorrectly fitted or poorly maintained gas appliances can produce a highly poisonous gas called carbon monoxide (CO) which can leak into your home. You can’t see it, taste it or smell it but it can kill quickly and with no warning. If you notice a faint smell of gas, call the gas company or CPLD immediately.

If you smell a natural gas odor, hear the hissing sound of gas escaping or see other signs of a leak: IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE the area, and from a safe location either call 911 or CPLD. DON’T smoke, or light a match, candle or other flame. It is important to take the proper steps if you smell gas. Below is a list of things you should NEVER do if you suspect a gas leak.

• NEVER enter the premises if you notice a strong gas odor or if there is other evidence of a natural gas leak.
• NEVER smoke, or make a spark or flame.
• NEVER turn on any electrical switches, appliances or lights as an electrical charge could create a spark.
• NEVER raise or lower the windows or use any phone inside your home.
• NEVER open your garage door

Things You Can Do:

• Turn off the gas at the mains tap, which is usually near the meter. Move the handle a quarter turn until it’s at 90 degrees from the pipe to shut off the gas supply.
• Leave the property.
• Phone your local gas company or 911.
• Follow the advice given by the emergency adviser.
• Wait outside for a gas engineer to arrive.
• If you are feeling unwell, visit your GP or hospital immediately. Tell them you may have been exposed to a gas leak.

For more info about Gas Leak Detection services form CPL Detections, click here