As the name implies, your foundation is the cornerstone that the rest of your house is built upon. If there's something wrong with your foundation, such as a crack or a water leak, a foundation repair is not just a good idea—it's imperative. Without it, the entire home is at risk of failing.

Hiring foundation contractors to come and look at your home can be intimidating, especially when they start talking about the scope of the work. Leveling, patching, water damage—it all sounds so professional. But one thing you absolutely can not afford to skimp out on, especially if you've had issues with your water lines in the past. One of the more common ways that plumbers test for broken water lines is with a hydrostatic plumbing test.

What Is a Hydrostatic Plumbing Test?

Instead of ripping up the entire foundation to visually check the water and sewer lines, a hydrostatic plumbing test is a process by which the plumber puts the entire home's water system under pressure to determine if there are leaks in your foundation. A foundation contractor will put a balloon in the clean-out of your water system, remove a toilet, and raise the water level. If they're unable to raise the water level at all, or if the water keeps dropping back down right after it's raised, then there is a leak somewhere that must be taken care of. The plumber will then find the leak, fix it, and perform a foundation repair to restore the damage.

Why Do You Need a Hydrostatic Plumbing Test?

Despite their longevity, older homes that use copper or galvanized steel plumbing are prone to a lot of issues, especially if they're inside the foundation. They can shift and crack or deteriorate to the point that constant water pressure springs a leak; in these situations, the water leak actually causes the problems, necessitating a foundation repair. Once it's repaired, a plumbing test of some kind is usually required to ensure that the water lines are intact. On the other end of the spectrum, new construction also requires a plumbing test to be performed for the exact same reason.

Water leaks inside your foundation can cause major problems, including cracks, mold, and even bugs. Foundation contractors often have the tools and the experience to detect and address these issues, but the key is early detection. If you suspect you might need foundation repair, a hydrostatic plumbing test is a great first step to determine if there's an issue.