What to Expect During a Professional Leak Detection Visit
If you have never had a leak detection visit before, it helps to know what actually happens. Here is a realistic walkthrough of a typical appointment from start to finish, so there are no surprises.
Before the visit
When you call or book online, we ask a few quick questions: what you have noticed (a sound, a wet spot, a rising bill), where in the home or yard it is happening, and how long it has been going on. This helps the technician bring the right equipment and gives us a head start on where to focus.
Step 1: Initial walkthrough and interview
The technician starts by walking the property with you, looking at the areas of concern and asking follow-up questions. This is the fastest way to narrow down whether you are dealing with a slab leak, a wall or ceiling leak, an underground line, or a sewer issue — see our guide on telling these apart if you want to understand the difference.
Step 2: Non-invasive testing
Depending on what the walkthrough points to, the technician uses one or more tools: acoustic listening equipment to detect the sound of pressurized water escaping, thermal imaging to spot temperature differences caused by hot water lines, or pressure testing to isolate which section of plumbing is losing pressure. None of this requires opening a wall or cutting into a slab.
Step 3: Pinpointing the exact location
Once the general area is narrowed down, the technician cross-references multiple readings to mark the precise spot, often within inches. This is the step that determines how much (or how little) needs to be opened up to make the repair.
Step 4: The findings report
You get a clear explanation of what was found, where it is, and what likely caused it, along with photos or readings if relevant. This is also the documentation you would use for an insurance claim — see our guide on what leak detection typically costs for how pricing fits in here.
Step 5: Repair options and next steps
We walk through the repair options for your specific situation — spot repair, re-route, or in some slab cases a re-pipe — along with a cost estimate for each, so you can decide how to move forward. There is no obligation to book repair work through us just because we did the detection.
How long does it take?
Most residential visits take 30 to 90 minutes. More complex situations, like tracing a long underground line or an intermittent leak, can take longer to fully confirm.
Do you need to be present?
It is not required, but we recommend it so you can see the readings firsthand and ask questions before any repair decisions are made.
Ready to book?
If you are noticing signs of a leak, reach out here for a same-day appointment, or check our FAQ page for more common questions.
