Signs that a leak is already costing you
Water meter moves with taps off
Close every fixture, check the meter dial or low-flow indicator, and watch for movement. Movement means water is going somewhere.
Bill higher with no change in habits
A sudden jump on one cycle is a clue. Compare it with the same months from past years.
Damp spots or a musty smell
Staining on a ceiling, bubbling paint or a mildew smell near a wall points to a slow leak behind it.
Warm patch on a floor
A warm spot on a slab can mean a leaking hot water line beneath it. Read our slab leak page for next steps.
Treat it as an emergency when
Active dripping inside a wall, water coming through a ceiling, or a meter that spins fast are all reasons to shut off the main valve and call right away. Mold can start in a damp cavity within days, so quick action saves drywall and insulation.
If the leak is visible and from a fixture, a shutoff valve under the sink or behind the toilet is usually enough. If you cannot find the source, shut the main and leave the rest to the tools.
Find the main valve
Most homes have a shutoff near the water meter or where the line enters the house.
Photograph the damage
Dated photos help with an insurance claim.
Do not open walls
Cutting drywall blindly makes a repair bigger. Let the locator point to the spot.
Note your meter reading
Writing it down before and after an hour with all water off helps confirm a leak.
How we find it without tearing up the house
Isolate the system
We shut off fixtures and test the supply line pressure to separate a supply leak from a drain leak.
Listen
Acoustic equipment picks up the sound of water escaping a pipe through floors and walls.
Image
A thermal camera shows temperature differences that mark a wet or hot spot.
Confirm and report
We mark the spot, explain the repair and give a clear price before cutting anything.
Suspect a hidden leak?
Call and describe what you hear or see. We can tell you what to check before the tech arrives.
Common sources in older Pleasant Hill homes
Many houses here date from the postwar building boom, when galvanized steel and early copper were common. Old galvanized pipe corrodes from the inside and leaks at threaded joints, and copper can pit where water chemistry is aggressive.
Ask your water utility about its water quality report if you suspect corrosion. We do not quote a hardness or pH figure for your address because we have not verified one.
| Source | Typical clue | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Supply line in a wall | Meter runs, damp drywall | Pinpoint and patch the pipe |
| Slab leak | Warm floor, sound of running water | Repair or reroute the line |
| Irrigation or service line | Wet yard, low pressure | See water service line repair |
| Fixture or valve | Drip under a sink or toilet | Replace the valve or supply line |
What to do before the locator arrives
- Close the main if water is flowing, and open one tap to relieve pressure.
- Do not cut into drywall to look for the source.
- Move belongings away from damp areas and take photos.
- Write down the meter reading and the time.
What affects leak detection cost
We give a clear price before work starts. Factors:
Insurers often cover resulting water damage and sometimes the cost to locate the leak, but not the pipe repair itself. Read your policy and keep your records.
Want your real number? Describe the job on the call and we quote it before work starts.
Service area
We locate leaks across 94523 and the neighboring ZIP codes of 94595 and 94597 in Walnut Creek. Our Walnut Creek page covers that side of the service area.
Pressure testing follows the standards in the California Plumbing Code, which is based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). A supply system that cannot hold its test pressure has a leak, and the test narrows down which section.
Common questions
Yes. The line is answered 24/7. Shut off the main valve if water is actively flowing, then call and we will book the earliest visit.
Turn off all fixtures, then watch the meter dial or low-flow indicator for a few minutes. If it moves, water is leaking somewhere.
Often only a small opening is needed. The locator tells us where, so we avoid exploratory cutting.
Yes. Slab leaks are located with acoustic and thermal tools, and repairs range from spot repair to rerouting the line.
Check the meter with everything off. If it moves, call us. Irrigation lines, toilet flappers and underground service lines are common culprits.
Some policies cover locating a leak that caused covered damage. Ask your insurer before the visit.
Still have a question about your situation? Call (855) 575-2890 any hour and describe what you are seeing.