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Leak Detection and Slab Leak Repair
A hidden leak can raise your bill and rot your home. We use listening tools and thermal imaging to find the leak without tearing up floors.
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Hidden Leaks Cost More Than You Think
A dripping faucet is easy to spot. A leak inside a wall, under a floor, or beneath a concrete slab is not. Hidden leaks can run for weeks before anyone sees a stain. All that time, water wastes money, rots wood, feeds mold, and can weaken the soil under your home. Finding the leak early is almost always cheaper than fixing the damage it causes.
Our team uses leak detection tools so we do not have to guess or tear open walls. We use listening gear that hears the sound of water escaping a pipe. We use thermal cameras that show temperature changes behind surfaces. We also run pressure tests and meter checks to narrow down where the water is going. Then we open only the spot that needs to be opened.
Not sure if you have a leak? Our blog post on how to find a hidden water leak has simple checks you can do yourself. If those checks point to trouble, call us. We will confirm it and find the source.
Signs of a hidden leak
- A water bill that jumps with no change in how you live
- The sound of running water when every tap is off
- Warm spots on the floor, which can point to a hot water line leak
- Damp walls, peeling paint, or a musty smell
- Low water pressure at faucets and showers
- A water meter that keeps moving when nothing is running
- Cracks in walls or floors, or a damp patch of lawn near the foundation
What Is a Slab Leak?
Many homes in the Waukee area are built on a concrete slab, and some have slab sections in garages or additions. Water lines may run through or under that concrete. A slab leak is a leak in one of those lines. The pipe can be copper, galvanized steel, or plastic, and it is buried in or below the slab. Because the pipe is hidden, you may only notice the effects. Warm patches in the floor, a rising water bill, or the sound of water under your feet are all common clues.
Several things cause slab leaks. Soil in Central Iowa is often clay. Clay swells when wet and shrinks when dry, and it moves with frost. That movement can push on pipes and make them rub on concrete or gravel. Over the years, rubbing wears a hole. Hard water and corrosion also eat into the inside of metal lines. High water pressure strains joints, and poor workmanship during construction can leave a weak fitting. In older homes in Des Moines, aging pipe is the usual cause.
A slab leak does more than raise your bill. Water under the slab can wash away soil, cause settling, and lift flooring. Moisture can come up through the concrete and ruin wood floors, carpet, and baseboards. So do not wait. If you suspect a slab leak, shut off the water at the main valve and call us.
How we repair a slab leak
There are three main options, and we explain each in plain words. A spot repair opens the slab at the leak, fixes the pipe, and patches the concrete. It makes sense when only one spot is bad and the rest of the pipe is sound. A reroute installs new pipe through the walls or attic and abandons the leaking line under the slab. This avoids breaking more concrete and can be a good long-term fix. A full repipe replaces the whole system, and it is worth thinking about when leaks keep appearing in different spots. We show costs and tradeoffs for each choice, so you decide.
Our Detection and Repair Process
On service day, we start by shutting off water and running a meter test. That tells us whether a leak exists and roughly how big it is. Then we use listening tools to follow the sound along the pipe path. A leak makes a distinct hiss or hum that is strongest near the break. We also use a thermal camera, which can show a warm line of water or a cool, wet area on a surface. Together, these tools let us mark the spot within a small area.
Next we show you what we found. We point out where the leak is, explain what caused it if we can tell, and walk through repair choices with prices. Only after you approve do we open anything. We keep the opening small and planned, so the rest of your floor or wall stays untouched. After the repair, we test the line under pressure to make sure it holds, and we patch or prepare the area for finish work.
We also write clear notes and take photos along the way. If the leak caused damage, those records help when you talk to your insurance company. Policies vary, so check yours, but some cover the cost of finding a leak or the damage that follows. If you want to understand rates in general, our plumbing cost guide is a good starting point.
Leaks also show up outside the home. A wet spot in the yard, a soft patch near the street, or an unusually green strip of lawn can point to a broken service line. We trace those too, and when the break is on the sewer side, our sewer line repair service takes over.
Cost Factors and How to Prevent Leaks
Detection cost depends on how easy the area is to reach and how many tools we need. A simple meter test and a quick listen cost less than a full trace through a large home. Repair cost depends on depth, pipe type, and what covers the pipe. A line under tile costs more to reach than one in an open crawl space. We give you the numbers before we start, and we help you weigh a small repair against bigger work.
Prevention begins with water pressure. Most homes do best with pressure below about 80 psi, and high pressure wears joints and fixtures. A pressure gauge on an outdoor spigot tells you where you stand. A regulator is a simple fix if the number is high. Check your meter monthly, look for damp spots, and watch for changes in your bill. Replace old washer hoses and toilet supply lines. Keep the area around your foundation graded so water flows away from the house. Insulate pipes in cold spaces, and read about preventing frozen pipes in Iowa, since freeze damage is another cause of hidden leaks.
If a leak turns into a burst, our emergency plumber team can help at any hour. For leak checks in Johnston, Urbandale, or other nearby cities, call +1 (515) 585-4137 or send us a note through the contact page.
Questions We Hear Most
How can I find a hidden water leak?
Watch your meter with every tap off. If it moves, you likely have a leak. Call a pro to pinpoint it without cutting open walls or floors.
What are the signs of a slab leak?
Warm spots on the floor, the sound of running water, and a high bill are the main signs. You may also see damp flooring or low pressure.
Will you have to tear up my floors?
We pinpoint the leak first, so any opening is small and planned. Some repairs, like a reroute, avoid breaking the slab at all.
Does insurance cover leak repair?
Coverage varies by policy. Some plans help with sudden damage or the cost of access. We give you notes and photos that can support a claim, but check with your agent.
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