Leak Detection in Ocala, FL

Ocala at a glance

Ocala sits on the limestone karst of north-central Florida, with a mix of in-town neighborhoods, large rural lots and horse farms. Long water lines, wells and slab homes all show up in leak detection calls here.

Why leaks happen in Ocala

• Karst limestone ground that can settle and stress buried lines.
• Hard water from the Floridan aquifer that builds scale.
• Long service lines and private wells on rural and farm properties.
• Slab foundations in most subdivisions.
• Pools in many newer homes.

In town, most homes are slab-built with lines under the floor. On larger lots, water lines run long distances to the house, barns and outbuildings, and a leak can be anywhere along that run.

Slab leak detection and repair in Ocala

A slab leak is a broken water line under the concrete foundation. Common signs in Ocala 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 Ocala

The buried service line from the meter to the house is the homeowner’s responsibility in most of Ocala; the utility, City of Ocala utilities, or Marion County Utilities outside city limits, 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 Ocala 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 Ocala

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 Ocala 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 Ocala

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 Ocala: frequently asked questions

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