Leak Detection in Austin: Find Hidden Water Leaks Before Damage Starts

In Austin, hidden water leaks drain your wallet and damage your home's foundation. A small leak can waste 90 gallons per day and cost you hundreds on water bills. We use advanced technology to find leaks fast without tearing up your floors or walls.

This page explains how our licensed plumbers locate leaks in Austin homes. We help families dealing with high water bills, mystery moisture stains, or concerns about slab leaks. Our non-invasive equipment pinpoints problems in concrete slabs, behind walls, and underground.

We're available 24/7 with same-day service throughout the Austin metro area. Since 2003, we've helped homeowners protect their properties from water damage. Get accurate leak detection that saves money and stops damage before it spreads.

You hear water running when every faucet is off. You see a damp spot on your ceiling but can't find the source. These problems stress Austin homeowners who worry about hidden damage.

We use electronic acoustic equipment to listen for water escaping through your pipes. This technology picks up the sound of leaks inside walls, under slabs, and beneath your yard. Our technicians wear headphones and move the sensors across your floors and walls. When we detect flowing water where none should exist, we mark that exact spot.

Thermal imaging cameras show us temperature differences in your home. Water leaks create cool spots on walls and warm spots on floors if a hot water line breaks. We scan your rooms in Cedar Park and Round Rock properties without moving furniture or removing fixtures. The camera displays a heat map that reveals moisture you can't see with your eyes.

Video cameras inspect your drain lines and water pipes from the inside. We feed a small camera through cleanouts and access points. The camera travels through your plumbing and sends live footage to our screen. This shows us cracks, corrosion, and the exact location of any leak.

Austin's expansive clay soil shifts your foundation throughout the year. This movement stresses pipes under your slab. Homes built in the 1960s through 1990s face more under-slab leaks because of older pipe materials. Hard water buildup in Austin's 120-180 ppm supply can mask early warning signs. Our equipment finds problems before they turn into emergencies.

We complete most leak detection visits in 1 to 2 hours. You get a clear report with photos or video showing the leak location. No guessing means you make informed repair decisions. We find the problem without tearing up your floors or digging up your yard unnecessarily.

Your Austin Water bill jumped from $120 to $280 in one month. You already checked the toilets and outdoor faucets. Everything looks normal, but the meter keeps spinning.

Hidden leaks cause most unexplained water bill increases in Pflugerville and Georgetown homes. According to the EPA, household leaks waste nearly 10,000 gallons per year on average, and 10 percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. That adds up to thousands of gallons per month. You're paying for water that soaks into your foundation or runs under your slab.

Austin Water rates climb each year. The base charge and volume rates affect every customer. But a sudden spike of $100 or more usually means a leak. Small drips become expensive fast when water runs 24 hours a day for weeks.

Austin's expansive clay soil shrinks during dry summer months and swells when it rains. This constant movement shifts your foundation. The shifting creates pressure on pipes under your slab. Tiny cracks form in copper or galvanized pipes. These cracks grow wider over several months.

Live oak tree roots in established Austin neighborhoods search for water sources. Roots penetrate small cracks in your water lines. Once inside, they grow and block the pipe. Water escapes around the root mass and floods the soil under your home.

We identify the leak source before you waste another $1,000 on water bills. Early detection protects your foundation from ongoing water intrusion. Our detailed reports document the leak for insurance claims if you need to file one. Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save you about 10 percent on your water bills.

You just installed hardwood floors throughout your Austin home. The last thing you want is someone cutting holes to find a leak. Our non-invasive technology protects your finishes while we locate the problem.

Electronic leak detection equipment listens through concrete slabs and finished walls. We place sensors on your floors and move them across the surface. The equipment detects the frequency of water flowing where it shouldn't. This works in slab foundation homes throughout Austin without drilling or cutting.

Thermal imaging cameras reveal temperature changes that show where water escapes. Cold water leaks create cool spots on walls and ceilings. Hot water line breaks show up as warm areas on your floor. We scan your rooms and hallways in minutes. The camera picks up moisture behind tile, under carpet, and inside walls.

Video inspection cameras travel through your existing plumbing access points. We feed a waterproof camera through drain cleanouts and pipe openings. The camera has its own light source and records everything it sees. You watch the screen with us as we identify cracks, corrosion, or separation in your pipes.

Pressure testing measures drops in your water system. We isolate sections of your plumbing and monitor pressure levels. A pressure drop tells us which area has the leak. This narrows our search in larger Austin homes.

Slab foundation construction is common throughout Central Texas. Our equipment works specifically for under-floor detection. Thermal imaging performs well year-round in our climate. Older plumbing materials in Austin homes from past decades require careful inspection methods that don't cause additional damage.

Most leak detection appointments finish in 1 to 2 hours. You get clear video or thermal images showing the exact leak location. This documentation helps you understand the repair scope before work begins.

Water finds ways to escape in homes throughout Travis County. Knowing the most common leak spots helps you watch for early warning signs. You can act fast when problems appear.

Under-slab pipes develop cracks from Austin's shifting clay soil. Your foundation moves up and down with moisture changes in the ground. This movement bends and stresses copper or PEX pipes beneath the concrete. Small cracks appear first, then grow larger. You'll notice warm or cool spots on your floor before you see visible water. Learn more about our slab leak detection and repair services.

Water heater connections loosen over time from vibration and pressure changes. The inlet and outlet fittings can develop slow drips. These leaks often go unnoticed because they're behind the unit. Water pools under the heater or seeps into nearby walls. If you discover a water heater leak, we offer complete water heater repair and installation.

Outdoor irrigation lines break during Austin freeze events. The 2021 winter storm damaged exposed pipes across the metro area. Freezing water expands and cracks PVC or copper lines. Some breaks don't show up until months later when buried sections fail underground.

Behind walls, pipes sweat or leak where fixtures connect. You see moisture stains on drywall but can't access the pipe. Shower valves, sink supply lines, and toilet connections all hide inside finished walls. These leaks grow mold if not caught early.

Toilet base seals fail in older Austin homes. The wax ring between the toilet and floor drain breaks down. Water escapes each time you flush. This damages your subfloor and can rot the wood structure beneath the bathroom.

Local building codes changed several times over the past 60 years. Homes built in different decades use different pipe materials. Galvanized steel pipes corrode from the inside. Polybutylene pipes crack and fail. We see these problems regularly in established neighborhoods.

Our inspection covers all these vulnerable areas. We prioritize locations based on your home's age and construction type. You understand the full scope before any repair work starts.

You need clear signs that tell you when to call for professional leak detection. Waiting too long turns small problems into major repairs. These warning signals mean it's time to schedule service.

Your water bill increased by $50 or more without explanation. You didn't fill a pool or change your water habits. The meter shows higher usage every month. This pattern indicates an ongoing leak somewhere in your system.

Damp spots appear on walls, ceilings, or floors with no clear cause. You can't trace the moisture to a specific faucet or appliance. The spots grow larger over time. Moisture without a source needs investigation before mold develops.

You hear running water when all fixtures are turned off. The sound comes from inside walls or under floors. This often happens at night when the house is quiet. Water moving through your pipes when nothing is on means a leak.

Foundation cracks appear in your Austin metro home. New cracks or existing ones that suddenly widen can signal water intrusion. Your foundation settles unevenly when soil beneath stays wet from leaks. Catching this early prevents structural damage.

Warm spots on your floor suggest hot water line leaks under the slab. You feel heat through carpet or tile in areas away from heaters. Hot water running constantly wastes energy and damages your foundation.

Mold smell or visible growth shows up in bathrooms or kitchens. You've cleaned surfaces but the odor returns. Mold needs moisture to grow. Hidden leaks behind walls create perfect conditions for mold.

Summer heat in Austin increases water pressure in your pipes. Higher pressure can worsen existing small cracks. Schedule detection before minor issues become emergencies during peak season.

After freeze events like the 2021 winter storm, inspect your system. Hidden damage appears months later when weakened pipes finally fail. A post-freeze check catches problems before they flood your home.

Hard water corrosion accelerates in Austin's 120-180 ppm supply. Mineral buildup creates rough surfaces inside pipes. These surfaces develop pinhole leaks over years. Regular checks on older systems prevent surprise failures.

Don't wait for visible flooding to call us. Early detection saves thousands in repair costs and protects your home's value.

How quickly can you detect a leak in my Austin home?

Most leak detection visits take 1 to 2 hours from start to finish. We arrive with all the equipment needed to scan your home. Our technicians check the most likely problem areas first. You get results the same day. We offer same-day appointments throughout the Austin metro area when you need fast answers.

Will leak detection damage my floors or walls?

Our non-invasive equipment finds leaks without cutting into finished surfaces. Thermal imaging and acoustic technology work through walls, floors, and ceilings. We don't drill holes or remove tile to locate problems. Your hardwood, carpet, and drywall stay intact during the inspection. The only time we make openings is when you approve repair work after we find the leak.

What if you can't find the leak?

Our advanced equipment has extremely high accuracy for detecting water leaks. If we don't find an active leak, we document your system's integrity for your records. This information helps if you need to show your insurance company or home buyer that no problem exists. Sometimes high water bills come from other sources like toilet flappers or outdoor irrigation. We check all possibilities during the visit.

Can leak detection help with my insurance claim in Austin?

We provide detailed reports with photos and thermal images that meet insurance documentation requirements. Our findings show the leak location, estimated severity, and recommended repairs. Many Austin homeowners use our reports when filing water damage claims. Insurance companies accept our documentation because we're licensed professionals. We can't guarantee coverage, but we give you the evidence you need.

Do you offer emergency leak detection services?

Yes, we provide 24/7 emergency plumbing services for active leaks or flooding situations. Call us anytime day or night when water is actively damaging your home. Our on-call technicians respond quickly throughout Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, and surrounding areas. Emergency detection stops ongoing damage and starts the repair process immediately.

How soon should I repair a leak after detection?

Immediate repair prevents foundation damage and mold growth in your Austin home. Even small leaks cause problems when water runs continuously into soil or wood. We provide same-day repair quotes after we locate the leak. Most homeowners schedule repairs within 24 to 48 hours. Waiting longer risks more expensive damage to your foundation and structure.