My parents who are both over 80 have had water seeping up into their home since Nov.. The insurance co recommended 2 separate companies which have not been able to discover the source of this seeping water. It comes up clear in the center of the kitchen. Lines have been run through the pipes and no leaks can be found. My parents are really upset because neither company can find any problem and has already cost the insurance co. Over $6000.00 ANY HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! Thank you.

Where do they live, in a rural atmosphere? Could it be spring water? Why don't you move them out of that mess, it surely can't be good for them at their age living in damp conditions.

Your question surprises me especially because you don't say how YOU are helping them, what type of house it is, etc.

We are not mind readers and thank god for insurance eh, the insurance company can't have very worthwhile inspectors.

Is this home built on a slab, crawl or basement? What did these companies do to try to find the issue? Did they take up any flooring or dig holes or drill anything? Where they named Curly Mo or Larry?

What companies were called? Plumbing? Construction? Has this been ascertained whether this is a plumbing problem or a ground water problem? In short what the experts are asking for is more information. Give us a place to start. Back to you, Tom

The house is in a nice neighborhood in Baton Rouge LA and is on a slab. It was built in 1972. They are still independent and have no intention of moving. Plumbers who specialize in handling this type of situation came in and turned off water coming into the home and going out. Tore holes in walls, not floors, and ran snake hoses with cameras on them thur the system. They cleaned out whatever could have been in the pipes - not much was in there. Saw no holes. I'm not sure all they did under the kitchen sink, but did some work there too. The amount of water that comes in is about a pitcher full and they have been able to keep up with it. It shows up about 5-7 times per week. When they left their home for a week and had the water shut off, there was no water found in the home upon their return. My parents were told these companies were the best there is to handle this type of problem. I don't want to name them as requested in the terms and conditions, but I check around and they are reputable.

Hi Rosemary128,

First you have to determine if it is pressurized water ( hot or cold ) leak or ground water penetrating the slab. Then you deal with it accordingly.

The plumber, who "ran snake hoses" with his camera was looking at sewer lines which are not under pressure. He was most-likely looking in the wrong direction.

If you can, turn water off to the entire house ( at the curb ) for over the weekend. Open hot and cold water valves at the tub and drain all water from your system. See if the leak continues.

Back to you . Milo

I apologize for not being exact in my explanation of what was done, but what you suggested was indeed done.

Milo's asking the same question that I want answered. Surely in all the people you have checking someone could have come up with the answer.
Is this a pressure or a ground water leak? You answered that yourself with,

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When they left their home for a week and had the water shut off, there was no water found in the home upon their return.

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The plumber that run a camera down your sewer lines was just wasting your money.

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My parents were told these companies were the best there is to handle this type of problem

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Well it sure sounds like they dropped the ball on this one.
Let's us do some checking. Shut off every fixture in the house and go out to the curb and check the meter. If the little pointer's moving then you have a hidden pressure leak. If you're on a pump go out and check the gage. With the house shut down the gage should hold steady. If it drops you have a hidden leak. Do this and get back to me with the results. Good luck, Tom

I am speaking with my mother who said that both plumbers said they are not sure where the water is coming from. The last plumber has not seen the water come up and wants my mother to call him when it happens so he can see it cause it did not happen when they tried to make it come up by running the water. Can I assume it is a ground leak if all the tests have been run and the pipes do not seem to be the cause, or is there a test they can run to see if it is a ground leak?

I repeter. Let's us do some checking. Shut off every fixture in the house and go out to the curb and check the meter. If the little pointer's moving then you have a hidden pressure leak. If you're on a pump go out and check the gage. With the house shut down the gage should hold steady. If it drops you have a hidden leak. Do this and get back to me with the results. Good luck, Tom

The plumber said he did that, but I will go there myself and do as you have suggested. I live 90 minutes away from them and will have to go there to check this out for myself. I am presently at work, so I am not sure if I can get there today, but will respond as soon as I can. Either today or tomorrow. I really appreciate your help.
Thank you

Added note. I just spoke to the plumber who is over seeing the project, and he said his next test will be another pressure test that will exceed 65psi which was what the 1st pressure test was done at. Is this a recommended manner to proceed?n I asked again if he checked the gauge with all the facets tunrned off and he said yes and with a pressure gauge attached. He saw no movement.

I don't share the confidence you place in your plumbers. Within 15 minutes after walking into your home a sharp plumber would have informed you whether you had a pressure leak under the slab or a ground water problem and here it is how long and they're still running tests to find out? At this point in time I trust you more then I would the plumbers. Bye the way, how much have you paid them so far? These are simple tests any homeowner can do and will tell you once and for all if there's a pressure drop. And if there is a drop then you do, in fact, have a leak. If everything holds steady then we can discuss a french drain (Has the plumber even mentioned that term?) to direct the ground water away from the slab. It all depends on what you come up with. This has gone on for far too long. Time for you to get more involved. Good luck, Tom

The new plumber has been involved for a week. When I asked if he shut off the water by the meter or where it enters the house, he said, "We looked around the outside of the house, but did not see where the water pipe enters the house. Usually the pipe sticks out of the ground, but this one is hidden out of view". I wondered about a plumber not being able to find the pipe entering the house? He did say that the pressure gauge did not move, but sometimes there is a very tiny leak, which may occur until hot water or some other weather change causes the pipes to expand. Well, the insurance man highly recommended both plumbers, stating he had worked with them in the past and was pleased.
I figured maybe some leaks are extremely small and difficult to find. As to what the insurance company paid the 1st plumber who installed new pipes through the attic and tore holes in the wall near both bathrooms - over $6000.00. The 2nd one already has rec'd payment from my mother of $500.00 and wants 250.00 more for next pressure test. It seems ridiculous to me.

Never mentioned a french drain, but did added a drain that would prevent the pipe water from backing up. My mother is not sure where he did that.

Meter or pump? Do the tests yourself and get back to me. At this time about the only person I trust is you. Regards, Tom Good luck, Tom

Water Meter. City water.

If you can't spot a movement in the little pointer its time to Think about ground water. A 65 PSI pressure check for what? The meter will tell you if you have a leak. To locate the water inlet look straight in from the meter and start poking around the foundation. Hey! What it sounds like to me is that you have a circus and they just sent in the clowns. Cheers, Tom

Will go to Baton Rouge Saturday - I now have two of my children home sick. My mother said that the plumbers told her that there was movement on the meter and that was why they changed out the pipes (ran through the attic). Afterwards, they said there is still some slight movement on the meter. I will let you know what I find out Saturday. Thanks again for your help.

Hope the kids get better. If, after all the plumbers have done there's still movement in the meter then they misses another leak. Shut the house down and tell me how fast the pointer's moving, Good luck, Tom

Will do. Thank you.