Call a plumber for leaks you can see — a dripping faucet, a running toilet, a leaking supply line under a sink. Call a leak detection specialist when the leak is hidden: under the slab, inside a wall, in the buried water line, in a pool or in the sprinklers. The specialist finds and marks the exact spot; the plumber then repairs it through one small opening.
When water is going somewhere it shouldn’t, most people call a plumber first. Sometimes that’s exactly right. But for leaks you can’t see, finding the leak and fixing it are two different jobs, and it helps to know who does which.
What a plumber does
A plumber installs, repairs and replaces pipes, fixtures and water heaters. When the leak is visible, a plumber is the right call:
- a dripping faucet or showerhead
- a running toilet
- a leaking supply line or drain under a sink
- a failing water heater
- a burst pipe you can see
What a leak detection specialist does
A leak detection specialist finds hidden leaks without opening things up to search. The work is testing and pinpointing:
- meter and isolation tests to confirm the leak and find the line
- pressure testing each line
- acoustic ground microphones, correlators and tracer gas to pinpoint the spot
- thermal imaging and moisture mapping inside walls and floors
- marking the location and documenting it with photos
The output is a marked spot, not a repaired pipe. See how professional leak detection works.
Who to call for which leak
| What you’re dealing with | Start with |
|---|---|
| A drip or leak you can see | Plumber |
| Running toilet or faucet | Plumber |
| Meter moves but nothing is visible | Leak detection |
| Warm spot on the floor, sound of running water | Slab leak detection |
| Soggy yard, low pressure | Underground leak detection |
| Stain or bubbling paint on a wall or ceiling | Hidden leak detection |
| Pool keeps losing water | Pool & spa leak detection |
| Soggy spots in one sprinkler zone | Irrigation leak detection |
Why the order matters
Without detection, the only way to find a hidden leak is to open things up: break tile, cut drywall or dig a trench, and keep going until the water turns up. Every wrong opening is more concrete, flooring or landscaping to replace.
With detection first:
- The leak is confirmed and the leaking line is isolated.
- The exact spot is marked.
- The plumber opens one small area and repairs the pipe.
Can one company do both?
Some can. Either way, ask the same question: how will you pinpoint the leak before you open anything? If the answer is a clear testing process, you’re in good hands. Our guide on how to choose a leak detection company lists the other questions worth asking.
Hidden leak in Bargersville?
We find and mark hidden leaks across Bargersville and Johnson County, and give you photos and readings to hand to your plumber. See how we find leaks or call to describe what you’re noticing.
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
Can a plumber find a hidden water leak?
Some plumbers have leak detection equipment and experience; many focus on repairs. For leaks under a slab, in walls or in buried lines, ask specifically how they'll pinpoint the leak before anything is opened.
Do I call the leak detection company or the plumber first?
If you can't see the leak, start with leak detection. Once the spot is marked, the plumber can quote and make the repair with a much smaller opening.
Will the plumber accept another company's leak location?
Usually, yes. A marked spot with photos and readings is exactly what a plumber needs to start the repair in the right place.
Is it more expensive to use both?
Not necessarily. Accurate detection often reduces the total cost, because the repair needs less demolition and less flooring, concrete or drywall to put back.