Leak Detection in Lafayette, LA

Lafayette at a glance

Lafayette, the heart of Acadiana, gets its water from Lafayette Utilities System, which serves more than 47,000 water customers. Clay soils, humidity and slab foundations make hidden leaks a common problem.

Why leaks happen in Lafayette

• Expansive clay soils that move slabs.
• Humid climate that hides slow leaks.
• Slab foundations in most newer homes.
• Flooding that damaged some neighborhoods’ plumbing.
• Older homes with aging pipe near downtown.

Most Lafayette homes built in recent decades sit on slabs. Pinholes in copper and cracked joints from soil movement are common causes of slab leaks.

Slab leak detection and repair in Lafayette

A slab leak is a broken water line under the concrete foundation. Common signs in Lafayette homes are warm spots on tile, the sound of running water with everything off, a meter that never stops and a water bill that jumps. The line is isolated and pressure-tested, then the leak is pinpointed with acoustic ground microphones and thermal imaging and marked on the floor. The repair is a spot repair through one small opening, or a reroute of the line through the walls or attic. See slab leak repair cost.

Water line leak detection in Lafayette

The buried service line from the meter to the house is the homeowner’s responsibility in most of Lafayette; the utility, Lafayette Utilities System (LUS), usually owns the meter and the line up to it. A soggy strip of lawn, low pressure or a meter that moves with the house shutoff closed points to this line. The line is traced, then listened to with a ground microphone, or tested with tracer gas if it’s plastic, and the leak is marked so only one small hole is dug.

Hidden leak detection inside Lafayette walls, ceilings and floors

Stains, bubbling paint, soft drywall, a musty smell or a ceiling leak under a bathroom usually mean a supply line, drain, shower pan or valve is leaking out of sight. Moisture mapping and thermal imaging show where the water is, acoustic listening finds pressurized leaks, and the opening for the repair is small and in the right place.

Pool leak detection in Lafayette

If your pool drops more than a bucket of water set on the step over 24 hours, it’s leaking. Pool leak detection checks the shell, skimmer, returns, main drain, lights and the buried plumbing lines, using pressure testing, dye testing and underwater acoustic equipment. See how to find a pool leak.

How to check for a leak in your Lafayette home

1. Turn off every faucet, the washer, dishwasher, ice maker and irrigation.
2. Watch the leak indicator on your water meter for 15–30 minutes.
3. If it moves, close the main shutoff in the house. If the meter still moves, the leak is in the buried line outside; if it stops, it’s inside or under the slab.
4. Put a few drops of food coloring in each toilet tank. Color in the bowl after 15 minutes means a toilet leak.
5. Still moving? Call (877) 729-0265 to get the leak found.

Leak detection cost in Lafayette

The price depends on the type of leak, how many lines need testing and what’s above the pipe: tile, concrete, landscaping or a pool deck. Detection and repair are quoted separately. Finding the leak first keeps the repair small. See what affects leak detection cost.

Leak detection in Lafayette: frequently asked questions

Service in Lafayette is provided through our network of independent, local leak detection and plumbing professionals. Sources: Lafayette Utilities System. Population: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census.