Leak Detection in Portland, OR
High water bill, a damp spot, or the sound of running water you can't find? We pinpoint hidden, slab and underground leaks the same day with acoustic, thermal and pressure testing — accurate to within inches, with no demolition.
- No demolition or guesswork
- Accurate to within inches
- Same-day, often 1–2 hrs
- Discuss the repair scope before work
Leak detection — found precisely, fixed same day
- Non-invasive detection — no guesswork
- Upfront quote — flat-rate, no overtime
- Discuss the repair scope before work
- Same-day leak detection and repair
Signs of a hidden water leak
- A spiking water bill with no change in use
- The sound of running water with everything off
- A warm spot on the floor (hot-water slab leak)
- Low water pressure
- Damp or discolored spots on walls, ceilings or floors
- Mold, mildew, or a musty smell
- Soggy patches or unusually green grass in the yard
- New foundation cracks or buckling floors
Quick check: read your meter
Turn off every fixture and appliance that uses water, then watch your water meter's leak dial (the small triangle or dial). If it keeps moving, water is escaping somewhere — that's a hidden leak.
Seeing active flooding instead? Shut off your main valve and call us — that's an emergency.
Non-invasive leak detection technology
We pinpoint the exact spot before opening anything — so the repair is small, targeted, and clean.
Acoustic listening
Sensitive ground microphones and listening discs hear water escaping a pressurized pipe through floors, walls and soil.
Infrared thermal imaging
Thermal cameras reveal the temperature change a hidden leak leaves behind walls, ceilings and under slabs.
Pressure testing
Static pressure and fixture isolation tests confirm whether a line is losing water and narrow down which one.
Moisture meters
Digital moisture and humidity meters map how far water has spread to trace it back to the source.
Electronic line locating
Pipe tracing and acoustic correlation follow metal and plastic supply lines underground so we dig only at the leak.
Video camera inspection
For drain and sewer lines, a camera shows breaks and intrusions on screen. We also use tracer gas on tough finds.
Types of leaks we pinpoint
Slab leaks
Leaks in pipes under your concrete foundation, found without breaking the whole floor. Slab leak repair
Underground supply lines
Leaks in the main water line between the meter and your home. Water line repair
Behind walls & ceilings
Concealed pinhole and joint leaks in copper, PEX or galvanized lines inside the structure.
Pinhole & corrosion leaks
Tiny pinhole leaks in aging copper, plus the burst-prone galvanized and polybutylene in older Portland homes.
Under floors & crawl space
Drips and seepage in the crawl space or under flooring that fuel rot and mold.
Burst & active leaks
A pipe that's already let go and flooding. Burst pipe repair
Cost & what happens next
You get a flat, upfront price for the detection — and we credit that fee toward the repair when we do the work. Once we've pinpointed the leak, we fix small, accessible leaks the same visit and quote anything larger before starting.
| Standard leak detection visit | $250 – $500 |
| Complex slab / underground locating | $400 – $900 |
| Detection fee credited toward repair | Yes |
Estimates for guidance; your price depends on access and leak type. Hidden water damage is often covered by homeowners insurance, and our findings help document your claim.
Why act fast
A slow hidden leak quietly feeds mold, rots framing, ruins flooring and can undermine a foundation — all while running up your water bill. Catching it early is far cheaper than repairing the damage later.
We're (), , and available same-day across the Portland metro.
High bill or a leak you can't find?
We'll pinpoint it the same day — no demolition, flat upfront pricing, and the detection fee credited toward your repair.
Local help for Leak Detection
From the first call to a clean finish, our Portland plumbers handle leak detection with upfront, flat-rate pricing and no overtime fees — day, night, weekends and holidays.
Call (971) 367-8197Leak detection questions
Not sure where the water's coming from? Call and we'll find it.
How do you find a hidden water leak without damaging my home?
We use non-invasive tools — acoustic listening discs, infrared thermal imaging, pressure testing, moisture meters and electronic line locators — to pinpoint a hidden leak to within inches before opening anything. No guesswork, no tearing the house apart.
What are the signs I have a hidden water leak?
A spiking water bill, the sound of running water with everything off, a warm spot on the floor, low pressure, damp or discolored spots, mold or a musty smell, and new foundation or yard wet spots.
Why is my water bill so high when I don't see a leak?
A hidden slab, underground, or in-wall leak can waste hundreds of gallons with no visible sign. Turn off all water and watch the meter's leak dial — if it moves, you have a leak. We locate it the same day.
How do you detect a leak under a concrete slab?
We combine acoustic listening, thermal imaging and line tracing to pinpoint a slab leak without breaking the whole floor. For the repair, see our slab leak repair service.
Can you locate an underground or main water line leak in my yard?
Yes — electronic line locating and acoustic correlation trace both metal and plastic supply lines underground, so we dig only where the leak is. See water line repair.
How long does professional leak detection take?
The time depends on the fault, access, parts availability and the work agreed after diagnosis. Ask for the expected repair duration and any follow-up before approving the scope.
How much does leak detection cost in Portland?
The price depends on diagnosis, access, parts and the agreed work. Ask what is included in the assessment and request the repair scope and price before authorizing work. Additional restoration or specialist work should be identified separately.
Do you fix the leak the same day you find it?
Yes — most small, accessible leaks are repaired the same visit. Bigger jobs like a slab reroute, burst pipe, or service-line replacement are scheduled fast.
Can a small leak really cause serious damage?
Yes — even a slow hidden leak feeds mold, rots framing, ruins flooring, and can undermine a foundation while quietly running up your bill. Finding it early is far cheaper than the damage.
Other Plumbing Services in Portland
One call covers every plumbing need, anywhere in the metro.
Water Heater Repair
No hot water or a leaking tank? Same-day gas, electric & tankless repair.
Water Heater Replacement
Old or failed unit swapped same day, hauled away and code-compliant.
Water Heater Installation
New tank or tankless installs sized right for your home.
Tankless Water Heater Repair
Flow-sensor, ignition, scale and control-board fixes.
Drain Cleaning
Clogged or slow drains cleared fast — no harsh chemicals.
Hydro Jetting
High-pressure cleaning that blasts grease, roots and scale.
Sewer Line Repair
Camera diagnosis and trenchless repair of damaged laterals.
Sewer Line Cleaning
Roots and blockages cleared from your main sewer line.
Sewer Line Replacement
Trenchless pipe bursting or a targeted dig that lasts decades.
Sewer Camera Inspection
HD camera locates the exact problem underground.
Burst Pipe Repair
We stop the flood and repair burst pipes the same visit.
Slab Leak Repair
Pinpoint and repair leaks under your concrete slab.
Pipe Repair & Repiping
Repair or repipe for copper, PEX and old galvanized lines.
Gas Line Repair
Safe repair and leak-testing of natural-gas and propane lines.
Water Line Repair
Repair leaking or broken main water-service lines.
Frozen Pipe Repair
Thaw and repair frozen, split pipes before they flood.
Faucet Repair
Drips, low water pressure and worn cartridges fixed fast.
Toilet Repair
Clogged, running, leaking and overflowing toilets repaired.
Garbage Disposal Repair
Jammed, humming or leaking disposals repaired or replaced.
Backflow Testing
Backflow testing requirements, scheduling and reports.
Commercial Plumbing
Same-day plumbing for restaurants, offices and retail.
How the repair scope is decided
The investigation separates supply leaks from drain leaks, fixture failures and non-plumbing moisture. Isolation, pressure checks, acoustic equipment or moisture measurements are selected according to the symptoms and accessible system.
The findings may support a targeted access opening and repair, or indicate that another source needs investigation. Detection and the physical repair are separate scopes and should be explained before work starts.
Ask how the suspected location was established, what remains uncertain and what access is proposed. A thermal image or moisture reading alone should not be presented as proof of a specific broken pipe.
What to have ready before a visit
Record when dampness appears, whether it changes with fixture use and any recent work. Have water-use information or prior reports available if relevant; do not open walls or floors just to make the leak easier to show.