Finding the leak before opening anything
A leak you can't see still does damage. Water under a slab can soften the soil beneath the foundation, and a slow drip in a wall feeds mold long before the paint bubbles.
We locate the leak first, so the only wall or floor we open is the one directly over the problem.
Signs of a hidden leak
- Water bill jumped with no change in use
- The meter dial moves with every tap off
- A warm spot on a tile or concrete floor
- Musty smell or stains on drywall or baseboards
How we find it
Pressure testing
We isolate hot, cold and yard lines to confirm which side is losing water before looking any further.
Acoustic listening
Ground microphones pick up the sound of water escaping a pressurized pipe through concrete and soil.
Thermal imaging
A thermal camera shows hot water leaks as warm patches in floors and walls without cutting anything open.
Slab leaks are common here
Many Yuba City homes sit on concrete slabs with copper lines running underneath. Over the years, the pipe can wear where it rubs against the concrete, and the valley's clay soil expands and shrinks with the seasons, adding stress.
If you've had one slab leak, another is more likely. That is often when rerouting the lines overhead makes more sense than breaking into the floor again.
Leak Detection questions
How do I check for a leak myself?
Turn off every fixture and look at your water meter. If the small leak indicator still moves, water is escaping somewhere.
Will you have to break up my floor?
Not always. Once we know where the leak is, rerouting the line through the walls or attic is often cleaner than a slab repair.
Does homeowners insurance cover leaks?
Many policies cover the water damage but not the pipe repair. We can provide notes and photos for your claim.