Choose a leak detection company that confirms the leak before touching anything, tests each line to isolate it, pinpoints the spot with acoustic, thermal or tracer gas equipment, and marks it with photos you can give your plumber and insurer. Ask how they work, what they use, and what you get at the end. Be wary of anyone who wants to break floors or walls before testing.
When you search for a leak detection company, the listings can look the same. The difference shows up on the job: one company tests, pinpoints and marks the leak; another starts opening walls and hopes. These nine questions help you tell them apart before anyone arrives.
1. How will you confirm there’s a leak?
A good company starts with proof, not guesses. Expect a water meter test with everything turned off, and questions about what you’ve noticed: a warm floor, a high bill, a wet spot.
2. How will you figure out which line is leaking?
Before looking for the exact spot, the leak should be isolated: hot side or cold side, inside the house or in the buried service line, household plumbing or irrigation. This is usually done with shutoff valves and pressure testing each line. Skipping this step makes the search much bigger than it needs to be.
3. What equipment will you use for my kind of leak?
Different leaks need different tools. A clear answer sounds like this:
| Leak | Tools you should hear about |
|---|---|
| Under a slab | Pressure testing, acoustic ground microphones, thermal imaging, tracer gas for quiet leaks |
| Buried water line | Line tracing, acoustic listening, a correlator or tracer gas |
| Inside a wall or shower | Moisture mapping, thermal imaging, flood testing for shower pans |
| Pool or spa | Dye testing, line pressure tests, underwater listening |
| Sprinklers | Zone testing, valve checks, line tracing |
If the only plan is “we’ll open it up and look,” keep searching. See how professional leak detection works.
4. Will you mark the exact spot?
The whole point of leak detection is a marked location — tape on the floor, paint on the slab, a flag in the lawn — so the repair opening is small and in the right place.
5. What do I get at the end?
Ask whether you’ll receive photos, readings and notes. They help your plumber start in the right place and give your insurance adjuster documentation.
6. Is the repair a separate job?
Detection and repair are different skills. Many leak detection specialists find and mark the leak, and a plumber makes the repair. Knowing this up front avoids surprises. Read leak detection specialist vs. plumber.
7. Have you found this kind of leak before?
Slab leaks, pool plumbing and long buried lines each have their own challenges. Ask about similar jobs in your area, and look for reviews that mention the type of leak you have.
8. Can you show your license and insurance?
Ask any contractor who works in your home for proof of insurance, and a license where one applies. A reputable company won’t mind the question.
9. What should I do before you arrive?
A helpful company gives you simple steps: shut off the water if it’s actively spreading, turn off a water heater on a hot-side leak, and take photos for insurance. See what to do in a water leak emergency.
Red flags
- Breaking concrete, tile or drywall before any testing
- No clear explanation of how the leak will be found
- Pressure to repipe the whole house before the leak is located
- No marked location or documentation at the end
Hiring locally in Bargersville
A local team knows the area’s homes — slab foundations, buried service lines, irrigation systems and pools — and can get to you faster. We’re based in Bargersville and serve all of Johnson County. See how we find leaks or call to talk through what you’re seeing.
Still can’t find it?
Our professional leak detection pinpoints the leak without tearing things up, so the repair starts in the right spot.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a leak detection company before hiring them?
Ask how they confirm and isolate the leak, which equipment they use for your type of leak, whether they mark the exact spot, what documentation you receive, and whether the repair is a separate job.
What is a red flag when hiring for leak detection?
Wanting to open floors, walls or the yard before testing; not being able to explain how they'll find the leak; or pushing a full repipe before the leak has even been located.
Is a leak detection company different from a plumber?
Often, yes. A leak detection specialist focuses on finding and marking hidden leaks with dedicated equipment. A plumber usually handles the repair. Some businesses do both.
Should the company give me a report?
It helps. Photos, readings and the marked location make the repair faster and give your insurer the documentation they usually ask for.