Leak detection and repair in Franklin

Galvanized pipe corrodes from the inside out, so it narrows long before it leaks, and when it does leak, it often fails at the threaded joint. Old brass and copper fittings can pit. Cast iron drains develop cracks and weeping joints that stain the area around them. A leak in an old house is rarely a single failure, which is why we check the neighboring pipe before we repair.

Plaster over wood lath does not behave like drywall. It hides water longer, spreads stains differently and breaks apart when cut. When there is a leak behind plaster, we work from the outside in. We watch the meter, check the accessible runs from the basement or crawlspace, and use the pattern of the stain to guess where the pipe passes. A small, clean opening beats a large, rough one every time.

In some houses, the best access to a wall's plumbing is from the other side of the wall, through a closet or a cabinet back. We look for those options first.

If a leak has damaged a ceiling, a floor or a wall, keep records. Take dated photos of the damage and of the source before anything is repaired. Save the plumber's invoice, with the cause written on it. Keep a record of any materials you threw away. If the insurer asks for evidence, a written statement of what failed and when helps.

We write the cause of the leak on every invoice. If your adjuster needs more, tell us what they are asking for, and we will do what we can. Some policies cover sudden leaks and exclude slow ones, so timing matters, and so does how you describe it.