Leak Detection in Shreveport, LA

Shreveport at a glance

Shreveport sits on some of the most aggressive expansive clay in the region, often called gumbo clay locally. It swells when wet and shrinks when dry, and that movement is hard on slabs, driveways and the pipes under them.

Why leaks happen in Shreveport

• Highly expansive “gumbo” clay that moves slabs and cracks buried lines.
• Older homes with galvanized or aging copper pipe.
• Hot, humid summers and occasional hard freezes.
• Tree roots pressing on service lines.
• Slab and pier-and-beam homes mixed across the city.

Soil movement is the leading cause of slab and yard leaks here. New cracks in floors or walls, doors that stick, a running meter or a wet patch of yard are all worth checking.

Slab leak detection and repair in Shreveport

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

The buried service line from the meter to the house is the homeowner’s responsibility in most of Shreveport; the utility, City of Shreveport Water & Sewerage, 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 Shreveport 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.

How to check for a leak in your Shreveport 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 Shreveport

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 Shreveport: frequently asked questions

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