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Leak detection
Find the Hidden Leak Before It Finds Your Ceiling
Leaks inside walls, under floors and in buried lines waste water and quietly rot framing and drywall. We track them down with as little opening up as possible, then repair them.
- Wall & ceiling leaks
- Slab & floor leaks
- Water service lines
- High water bills
Request a Plumber
Tell us what is going on. We call you back to talk it through and set up a visit. For water running right now, call (734) 228-7852.
No obligation. By sending, you agree we may call, text or e-mail you about this request. Calls may be recorded. Privacy Policy
Warning signs
Signs of a Hidden Water Leak
A water bill that jumps
Use that rises with no change in habits.
The meter moves with everything off
Turn off every fixture and watch the meter’s leak indicator.
Stains and bubbling paint
Spots on ceilings or walls, or paint and wallpaper lifting.
Sound of running water
Hissing or trickling with nothing running.
Warm spots on the floor
A hot-water leak under a slab can make the floor warm.
Musty smell or mold
Ongoing moisture in a wall or cabinet.
How we find leaks
Pinpointing the Leak
We start by isolating the problem: which line, hot or cold, supply or drain. Pressure testing narrows it down, and listening and moisture-mapping tools help locate it, so the opening is made in the right place the first time.
- Meter and pressure tests to confirm and isolate the leak
- Supply versus drain leaks told apart
- Moisture readings in walls, floors and ceilings
- Repair of the leaking pipe or fitting, or rerouting where that is better
Outside the house
Leaks in the Water Service Line
A leak between the curb stop and the house may show up as a wet spot in the yard, low pressure or water seeping into the basement where the line enters.
In Ann Arbor, the city’s ordinance makes the property owner responsible for the water service line from the curb stop to the building, whatever caused the failure. Leaving a leak unrepaired can lead to a surcharge or shutoff, so it pays to act quickly.
FAQ
Leak Detection Questions
How can I tell if I have a leak?
Turn off every faucet, toilet and water-using appliance, then look at the water meter. Most meters have a small leak indicator that spins if water is flowing. If it moves, water is going somewhere.
Will you have to tear open my walls?
Usually only a small, targeted opening at the leak, once it has been located. Finding it first is what keeps the opening small.
Is a running toilet a leak?
Yes, and a costly one. A flapper or fill valve that doesn’t seal can waste a lot of water. Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank: if color shows in the bowl without flushing, the flapper is leaking.
Who pays for a leak in the water line outside?
In Ann Arbor, the city’s ordinance says the property owner owns and maintains the water service line from the curb stop to the building. Other communities have their own rules, so check with your water utility.
Does homeowner’s insurance cover leaks?
Sudden, accidental water damage is often covered; slow leaks and the pipe repair itself often aren’t. Check your policy and photograph damage before cleanup.
Also helpful
Related Plumbing Services
Problems in one part of the plumbing often point to another. These services go hand in hand.
Frozen & Burst Pipes
Frozen lines thawed safely, burst pipes repaired, and the cold spots fixed before next winter.
Learn more →Repiping & Water Lines
Old galvanized and failing pipe replaced, and water service lines from the curb stop to the house.
Learn more →Toilets, Faucets & Fixtures
Running toilets, dripping faucets, sinks, disposals and shower valves repaired or replaced.
Learn more →24/7 in Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County
Hear Water but Can’t See It?
Call (734) 228-7852 and we will track it down.
Request service
Tell Us What’s Going On
Send a few details and we will call you back to talk it through and set up a visit. We answer 24/7: for water running or sewage backing up right now, call (734) 228-7852.
- 24/7 emergency service, nights, weekends and holidays
- $99 diagnostic fee, applied to the repair
- Financing: 25 months same as cash, on approved credit
- The price explained before work starts
- Call(734) 228-7852
- Service areaAnn Arbor & Washtenaw County
- LicensingMichigan plumbing license #A111705
Request a Plumber
Tell us what is going on. We call you back to talk it through and set up a visit. For water running right now, call (734) 228-7852.
No obligation. By sending, you agree we may call, text or e-mail you about this request. Calls may be recorded. Privacy Policy