Leak detection: find it before you open walls
A leak you can see is a repair. A leak you can't see is a detective job, and the difference between a $300 fix and a $3,000 one is often whether the plumber located it precisely before cutting.
How detection works without demolition
- Pressure testing isolates whether a line is losing pressure and roughly where
- Acoustic listening: pressurized water escaping a pipe makes noise; sensitive equipment hears it through slab and soil
- Thermal imaging: hot-water leaks change surface temperatures a camera can see
- Moisture mapping traces how far water has migrated through walls and floors
Signs you need it
- Water bill climbing month over month with no change in use
- Meter dial moving with every fixture off (the two-minute test: shut everything off, watch the meter's leak indicator)
- Musty smell, bubbling paint, or warped flooring without an obvious source
- Sounds of running water when nothing's on
Why the meter test matters
The Tri-Cities' older housing stock hides leaks well; crawlspaces, slabs, and long yard lines all mask them. If your meter moves with everything off, you have a leak, and the only question is where. That's a detection call, not a "start cutting drywall" call.
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