Plumbing Leaks in Walls & Attics

Plumbing systems are generally placed in floors and walls. Plumbing systems can be categorized as pressurized or non-pressurized (drainage). Pressurized plumbing leaks range from a gushing spray to barely noticeable pinhole leaks. Drainage system leaks usually manifest as less water or seepage that is sometimes accompanied by an odor.

Typical causes of supply leaks are failed fittings; nails or screws penetrating a supply pipe within a wall; copper pipe corrosion from extended contact with concrete; the pipes being exposed to freezing temperatures failed fittings; etc. Drainage leaks often occur at toilet seals and sink drains.

While they often provide a continuous and accessible space for some utilities, attics are typically relatively very cold or very hot. This makes them less unsuitable for plumbing systems, particularly in northern climates where pipes may freeze. However, pressurized water plumbing are sometimes found in attics within warmer climates. These are usually installed as part of a past retrofit – older leaking pipes abandoned in a concrete slab and moved to the attic. In this case of water supply pipes in the attic, condensation is a concern. Uninsulated cold water lines in warm and moist attics tend to form condensate on the pipes. This occurs because the moisture in the attic air condenses onto the pipe cooled by water flowing through it. The resulting condensate can sometimes be enough to cause stains on ceilings below, particularly beneath the lowest points in a drooping horizontal plumbing line.

A common cause of a leak in an attic is a clogged air conditioning (AC) condensate drain line. AC air handlers are often placed in attics. As an AC system removes humidity from the air, it produces condensate water that must be drained or pumped away. These lines usually build up sludge over time which must be removed periodically to prevent blockage. If the condensate line becomes blocked with debris or algae or otherwise compromised, water can build up and overflow into the attic. This overflow usually occurs at a drain pan located directly beneath the air handler. For this reason, the regularly cleaning of condensate lines is important.