How to Find a Plumbing Leak with an Infrared Laser Thermometer

Using an infrared laser thermometer to find a leak in your home is something that more and more plumbers are actively pursuing. It used to be that you would have to tear up some of the floor, remove cabinets, and have to remodel the kitchen, or bath, just to find the leak. Today, with the use of infrared technology you can easily locate the spot where the leak is coming from without the need for extensive renovations.

What You Need

• Infrared Laser Thermometer
• Ladder

Understand Laser Thermometer

The infrared laser thermometer works in the same way that a radar gun would work. You point the device at the area where you want to take a reading. A small laser is emitted from the device to the place where you are taking the reading. Depending on the temperature of that spot you will have a different color laser shine.

Understand Laser Colors

Most of the infrared laser thermometers all work in the same fashion. The color that the laser is will determine the temperature of the surface at which you are pointing it. For example, if you point the device at something that is colder than the surrounding area, the laser will be blue in color. If the area where you are pointing the device is warmer than the surrounding region, then the laser color will be red. In the event that the area where you are pointing the infrared laser thermometer produces a green or a neutral color laser, as specified in the manual, then the area is at room temperature.

Set Temperature on Thermometer

In order to find water leaks with your infrared laser thermometer you are going to need to make sure it is set at the current temperature. Turn the device on and wait for the system to tell you that it is calibrated with the surrounding temperature. This will give you the ambient air temperature of the home. If you want to have a wall reading then you will need to aim the device at the wall and have it set at that temperature.

Using Infrared Laser Thermometer

When using the infrared laser thermometer you should stand a few feet away from the wall, or hold the device a few feet off the floor, for an accurate reading. Standing too far away will cause the device to give a false reading.

Locate Water Leaks

Once the system is calibrated for your wall, floor, or air temperature you can begin to locate the water leak. Start at the point where you notice the water and follow the laser beam from there. Take notice of the surrounding area and the laser color. If it starts to turn a neutral color then you are straying away from the water leak.

Navigate to Pinpoint Leak

Trace the water trail until you can locate the source of the leak. You will know this by keeping a close eye on the laser color. If you find a place where either the blue or the red color stops, then you have found the source of the leak.

How do you clean your water pipes?

Water pipe maintenance should be part of your regular home maintenance. If ignored, damaged water pipes can cost you a huge amount of money. Since clogging, rusting and mineral deposits occur through time, you have to keep your system clean to prevent these problems from happening. Cincinnati plumbers recommend the use of different chemicals and commercial cleaners to maintain the plumbing system. Here are a few that you can use.

 

Muriatic Acid

Muriatic acid is an excellent scale and mineral deposit remover. Also known as hydrochloric acid, you can purchase it in groceries and most hardware stores. It is safe to use even for copper pipes. Use a pump to pour the chemical in the pipe and allow the materials to soak for 60 seconds. Afterwards, you can run flowing water to rinse it off. Cincinnati plumbers recommend that you use gloves and goggles while handling the chemical since accidental spills and splashing can occur.

 

Water Softener

If you live in an area where hard water is in use, you might have noticed the white scale deposits in your water pipes. These deposits are calcium, lime and other minerals. If they stay longer in the pipes, they cause clogging and eventually  damage the system. To avoid the problem, Cincinnati plumbers will advise you to install a water softener. The system contains a filter that will trap the potassium and salt minerals. Although it does not remove the residues completely, the reduction in the deposits is enough to keep your pipes scale-free for a long time.

 

Commercial Cleaners

For hard to remove stains and mineral deposits, Cincinnati plumbers recommend the use of commercial cleaners. You can buy the products in many stores. Just pour the chemical in the main water supply and you get a cleaner pipe. Because some are too corrosive, some may require dilution with water before using them. Otherwise, they may eat up your pipes and cause leaks.

What are garbage disposals for?

Garbage disposers are also popular as food waste disposer or garburator. These are electrically-powered devices installed under the kitchen sink to collect small pieces of food residue during dishwashing. You can find them in between the kitchen sink and the trap. They are a common device in many modern households in the North American region. Other countries also use them to encourage the production of biogas. Cincinnati plumbers recommend their use to have a better food waste disposal.

Garbage disposers primarily shred food scraps with the aid of heavy water flow. By shredding the food residues into smaller pieces, the impeller arm and plate attached to the device forces the liquid and the particles down the kitchen drain. Although most devices run through electricity, you can also find such items that work through the pressure of water in the sink. You can ask the Cincinnati plumbers to install the device for you.

Since it is an important part of every modern kitchen, you have to see to it that you care for your garbage disposer well. With proper care, it can last for a decade or more. You do not need to hire Cincinnati plumbers to care for it. Just follow the owner’s manual to extend the life of the garburator. Do not overfill it with food scraps. Check the manual about the different residues you can grind with it. Most garbage disposers are not suitable for bones and coffee grounds. Never use bleach and drain cleaners. The strong chemicals can cause corrosion and damage your device. To reduce the smell of the disposers, pour water before and after using it. You may also pour warm water in it while grinding orange peels.

Cincinnati plumbers recommend that you invest in a garbage disposer. With the few dollars you spend for it, you can keep your preparation area clean at all times.

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