Buried Pipe Leaks

Incoming water, fire suppression, storm and sanitary drain lines often run through a building concealed behind wall and ceiling finishes. When a pipe leaks in a wall or ceiling, it inevitably causes water damage. This type of above-ground leak can be noticed quickly as it drips on building occupants and creates visible water stains on walls and ceilings.

Slow leaks can go undetected where water-carrying pipes are located underneath a building. There is no tell-tale dripping or water marks to indicate a problem. Unfortunately, the first evidence of a slow leak below a building can be structural cracking in the floor and walls.

Whether a below-ground leak is fast (in the case of a high pressure sprinkler main burst) or slow (perhaps from a pinhole leak in a drain), water below the building can cause major structural issues as water erodes fill beneath the slab and footings. As fill is replaced by void, the floor slab will eventually crack and settle. Footings, which support the structure above, can become undermined. These damages are not visible until they show up as structural cracks in the floor and walls.

Structural cracks in a foundation can be caused by other factors as well, such as vehicle loads, frost heave, wet soils, etc. A forensic investigation is required to determine the cause of cracking.

It is also important to determine if the damages observed are stable or continuing to worsen. Crack monitoring can help determine if damage is ongoing over time. We can set up the equipment necessary to measure crack growth.

Once the source of the problem is found, we can work with you to design an appropriate repair strategy. We specialize in both structural and forensic engineering, keeping safety and building remediation in mind throughout our forensic investigation.