Leak Detection and Repiping in Sheridan, IN

The housing stock on the Sheridan grid was built with materials appropriate to its era. Galvanized steel supply lines were standard for decades and corrode from the inside over time, progressively narrowing the pipe interior and eventually failing at fittings or pinholes in the pipe body. Cast-iron drain lines inside older homes scale internally, soften, and crack over time, producing slow drains and leaks that are sometimes not discovered until the damage to surrounding structure is already visible.

Both failure types are common in Sheridan and both follow a predictable pattern. Galvanized supply lines produce reduced water pressure at fixtures, then discolored water as corrosion flakes loose, then outright leaks at weakened fittings. Cast-iron drains slow progressively as the interior narrows with scale, then develop pinhole leaks or crack sections in the most corroded areas.

Not all leaks are visible. A pinhole in a galvanized line inside a wall or under a slab can run for a long time before it becomes obvious at the surface. We use pressure testing and electronic detection equipment to locate hidden leaks without unnecessary demolition. The goal is to open wall or floor only where the actual problem is, not over a wide search area.

• Pressure testing of supply lines to confirm whether and how much the system is losing water.
• Acoustic and electronic listening equipment to locate the leak point without opening walls at random.
• Camera inspection of drain runs to identify internal corrosion and crack locations before they surface as visible leaks.

When galvanized supply lines are at the end of their life, the choice is typically copper or PEX for the replacement. Copper is durable and well-suited to Sheridan's water chemistry. PEX is flexible, easier to route through older finished spaces with less wall opening, and resistant to the kind of freeze damage that is a real risk in poorly insulated exterior walls in northwest Hamilton County winters. We discuss both options and their long-term characteristics for the specific home.

For cast-iron drain replacement, PVC is the standard modern material. It does not corrode internally, does not scale, and resists root intrusion better than the original clay or iron at the connections. A partial or full drain repipe eliminates the recurring slow-drain and leak cycle that older cast-iron interiors produce.

My water pressure has dropped noticeably. Could that be a galvanized pipe problem?

Yes. Galvanized pipe corrodes inward and eventually becomes so restricted that pressure at fixtures drops significantly even when city pressure at the meter is normal. We check both to determine whether the issue is supply-side or interior pipe.

How disruptive is repiping in an older Sheridan home?

PEX minimizes wall opening because it is flexible and can be fished through cavities. Copper requires straighter runs and more access points. We describe the scope of access needed for each option during the pre-job walkthrough so you understand what the work involves before we start.

Can you find a leak under the slab without tearing up the whole floor?

We use acoustic and electronic detection to locate the leak point first, then open only at that location. In some cases rerouting the line through a wall or ceiling is a better alternative to slab access, and we present that option if it applies to your home.