Referral service, not a contractor. Prevent Home Leaks does not perform plumbing, leak repair, or water damage restoration. We may be paid if you hire a provider through a partner link. Always confirm the provider's license and get a written estimate. How this works
How professional leak detection works
- Pressure testing: isolating sections of plumbing and watching for pressure drop, to confirm which line is leaking.
- Acoustic listening: ground microphones and sensors amplify the sound of water escaping a pressurised pipe, to pinpoint under-slab or in-wall leaks.
- Thermal imaging: infrared cameras show temperature differences from hot-water leaks or evaporative cooling from wet materials.
- Moisture meters: map how far water has spread in drywall, subfloor, and framing.
- Tracer gas: a harmless gas is introduced to the line and detected where it escapes, useful for very small leaks.
Good detection limits demolition to the actual leak point. Ask the company which methods they'll use and whether repair is quoted separately.