Slab leaks, pinhole leaks, and hidden pipe leaks pinpointed without unnecessary demolition. We use acoustic, thermal, and pressure-test equipment to find the leak first, then quote the repair.
Why leak detection is its own service
Finding a hidden leak is a different skill from fixing one. Many homes in the San Fernando Valley are slab-on-grade, which means the supply pipes run under a poured concrete foundation. When one of those pipes develops a pinhole — usually after 25-40 years for copper — water can travel several feet through the slab before it surfaces. Cutting blindly through the slab in the wrong spot is expensive and unnecessary.
We invest in proper detection equipment so we can locate the leak within a few inches before any concrete or drywall is opened. That keeps repair costs down and limits how much patching you need afterward.
Common signs you have a hidden leak
A water bill that jumped without a change in usage. The Valley average for a 4-person household is roughly 8,000-12,000 gallons per month. If yours suddenly runs 5,000-10,000 gallons higher with no new appliance, irrigation change, or guests, you almost certainly have a leak.
A warm spot on a tile, vinyl, or wood floor. Slab leaks on the hot-water side warm the concrete; you can often feel it barefoot in the morning before the home heats up.
The sound of running water with everything shut off. Stand next to your water meter at the curb. If the small leak indicator dial is moving with every fixture and irrigation valve closed, water is leaving the system somewhere.
Mold, musty smell, or a stain on a wall or ceiling that doesn't dry. A slow drip behind drywall keeps the area damp enough for mold even without a visible source.
Bubbling or peeling paint near a baseboard or under a sink, particularly on an exterior wall or above a slab.
Our detection process
We start with a pressure test. With every fixture closed, we isolate the supply line and watch for pressure drop. If the line will not hold pressure, we know there's a leak somewhere on the supply side. If it holds, the leak is on the drain or sewer side, and we shift to a different test.
For slab leaks, we use ground microphones to listen for the high-frequency hiss of water escaping under pressure. We grid the suspected area and triangulate. Once located, we mark the spot on the floor.
For hot-side slab leaks, we add thermal imaging — the leaking hot water heats the slab in a distinctive pattern visible through a thermal camera.
For pool, spa, or irrigation leaks, we isolate each zone and pressure-test with dye or tracer gas to find the leaking section.
At the end of the visit you get a written report with a marked-up sketch showing where the leak is, what kind of leak it is, and the recommended repair. You're not obligated to use us for the repair, though most customers do.
Pricing guidance
Standard residential leak detection: $295-$595. The lower end is for above-slab and clear-access situations; the upper end is for slab leaks requiring acoustic and thermal triangulation. Repairs are quoted separately after the leak is located. For ongoing monitoring (re-piping not yet feasible), we can install pressure-loss alarms.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you find a leak without breaking any walls or floors?
- Yes — that is the entire point of professional detection. We locate the leak before any demolition. Repair will require some opening, but only at the actual leak spot, not exploratory holes.
- How much does it cost to repair a slab leak in the Valley?
- Repair pricing depends on access. A spot repair (cut, patch, restore one section of pipe) typically runs $1,200-$2,800. A re-route around the slab is often a better long-term fix and runs $2,500-$5,500. Full re-pipe of a home is $7,500-$18,000+.
- Will my homeowners insurance cover a slab leak?
- Most CA policies cover the resulting water damage but not the leaking pipe itself. We provide written documentation that helps with claims.