"Three plumbers wanted to demo the kitchen tile to 'see what they find.' These guys located the slab leak in 25 minutes with acoustic and thermal. One 4" cut. Saved us a $4k tile redo."
NV
Nathan V.Boca Raton, FL
7tools
Independent detection technologies on every truck — not one tool we hope works
6inch
Typical pinpoint accuracy radius — small enough that the wall cut is minimal
~45min
Average time from first measurement to written location and repair quote
$0
Detection fee credits back to your invoice when you proceed with the repair
What's actually on the truck
Seven detection technologies — and which problem each one solves
A general plumber typically carries one or two of these and subs the rest out. We own and operate every tool because the right answer depends on the scenario.
$8,000 Fluke / SeekTech
Acoustic listening disc
Magnetic disc with a sensitive piezoelectric microphone. Picks up the 1–5 kHz hiss that pressurized water makes escaping a pipe. Filters out HVAC, traffic, and refrigerator noise. Best primary tool for slab and wall leaks where the line is pressurized.
Best for: slab, wall, supply linesFLIR E8 · 320×240 resolution
Thermal imaging camera
Detects temperature differentials across surfaces. A hot-water leak under a slab shows up as a warm spot on the floor; a cold-water leak draws heat out and shows as cool. Best secondary tool — confirms what the acoustic disc heard and shows the homeowner where in plain language.
Best for: confirming, hot-line leaks95% N₂ / 5% H₂ mix
Tracer gas detector
For non-pressurized lines or lines with very small leaks. We isolate the line, fill it with a hydrogen-nitrogen mix, and follow the escaping hydrogen with a handheld H₂ sensor. The gas migrates through concrete and earth to the surface. Right answer when acoustic fails.
Best for: tiny leaks, slab, yardCalibrated 0–200 PSI gauge
Line isolation pressure test
The fundamental diagnostic. Close fixture valves, isolate sections of the supply system, watch the gauge for pressure drop. Confirms a leak exists, narrows it to a system (hot vs cold, upstairs vs downstairs), and rules out fixture failures. Always our first step.
Best for: confirming a leak existsRIDGID SeekTech SR-20
Pipe and cable locator
Electromagnetic transmitter pushes a signal down the pipe; receiver traces the route across slab or yard. Tells us exactly where the line runs before we listen, image, or dig. Used on every slab leak and main water line job.
Best for: mapping pipe routesPush-cam 3/8" head with LED
Borescope camera
Push camera with LED and HD recording for visual inspection inside walls, drain lines, and behind fixtures. Once we've narrowed the leak to a wall cavity, the borescope tells us exactly which fitting failed before we open drywall.
Best for: in-wall visual confirmationPin + pinless dual-mode
Moisture meter
Pin-style for direct material reading (drywall, framing); pinless capacitive for sweeping wall surfaces without leaving holes. Maps the wet footprint of the leak migration — which tells us where it started, not just where it showed up.
Best for: tracing leak migrationOptional add-on install
Smart leak sensor consult
For homeowners who want prevention after a major leak: Flo by Moen, Phyn Plus, Streamlabs Control. Whole-home shut-off valves that monitor flow and shut water off when patterns indicate a leak. We consult on the right unit and integrate it with your existing plumbing.
Best for: post-leak prevention
Method by scenario
Which tools we use for which leak
No single technology finds every leak. The right combination depends on what your home is doing — and what materials are in the wall, slab, or yard.
Scenario
Primary tool
Backup tool
Accuracy
Slab leak — warm tile, water bill spike
Acoustic disc
Thermal imager · tracer gas if needed
±4–6 in
Service line leak — wet yard between meter and house
Pipe locator + acoustic ground mic
Tracer gas through soil
±6–12 in
In-wall pinhole — wall stain, soft spot
Acoustic disc + moisture meter
Borescope camera
±2–4 in
Pool / spa leak — bucket test fails
Dye test + pressure test on plumbing
Acoustic listening · subaqueous probe
±6 in
Irrigation leak — soggy zone, no rain
Zone isolation pressure test
Pipe locator + visual on heads
±2–4 ft
Mystery water bill spike — no visible source
Whole-house isolation pressure test
Meter test · sequential isolation
Narrows to system
Ceiling stain — upstairs water unclear source
Thermal imager + moisture mapping
Borescope into joist cavity
±6–12 in
HVAC condensate vs supply leak (confusion call)
Moisture meter + thermal differential
Visual inspection of drain pan
Diagnostic distinguishment
Eight scenarios we get called for
When detection is the deliverable
Some calls end at the diagnosis — the homeowner takes the report to insurance or to a separate restoration contractor. Others continue into repair on the same visit. Either way, the detection report is the foundation.
01
The slab leak that started six weeks ago
Warm tile in the master bedroom, water bill climbing slowly. Homeowner doesn't know if it's worth opening the slab. We pinpoint, give a written location, and walk through the three repair options.
AcousticThermalPressure
02
The wet patch in the front yard
Grass strip is greener than the rest of the lawn, doesn't dry out after a week of no rain. Pressure drop confirms a service line leak. We locate the line, walk the route with acoustic ground mic, mark the leak point.
LocatorGround micTracer gas
03
The mystery bill — 300% spike, nothing visible
Most common diagnostic call. Whole-house isolation pressure test confirms a leak exists, narrows to a system (hot/cold, upstairs/downstairs). Then acoustic + thermal close in on the location.
PressureAcousticThermal
04
The pool that's losing an inch a day
Florida pool leaks are tricky — evaporation in summer hits 0.25"/day on its own. A bucket-test rules evaporation out; then we differentiate pool-shell leaks from plumbing-side leaks using dye + pressure isolation.
Bucket testDyePressure
05
The irrigation zone that runs even when it shouldn't
A leaking irrigation line will quietly raise your water bill without showing surface damage. We isolate each zone, pressure-test, walk the head locations, and locate sub-surface line leaks with a pipe-cable locator.
Zone isolationLocator
06
The ceiling stain that just appeared
Brown ring, dry to touch but spreading slowly. Could be supply, could be HVAC, could be a roof leak that migrated. Thermal differential + moisture mapping tells us which system and where above the ceiling to look.
ThermalMoisture mapBorescope
07
The insurance-required documentation
Homeowner already found the leak — but the adjuster needs a written third-party report to process the claim. We document the failure with moisture readings, photos, location, cause-of-loss assessment.
Moisture mapPhoto docCause analysis
08
Pre-purchase inspection augment
Standard home inspection doesn't include leak detection. For older homes (especially polybutylene or pre-1995 copper), we run a non-invasive screen as part of pre-purchase due diligence.
PressureMoisture sweepVisual inspection
What you get
The diagnostic report — what's in it and why it matters
Insurance adjusters read this. Restoration contractors read this. The next plumber reads this. Your detection deliverable is a permanent document — not a verbal "we think it's behind that wall."
Diagnostic Report · Slab Leak Confirmed
Leak systemHot water supply
Pipe materialType L Copper, c. 1988
Pinpoint locationMaster bath, 24" SE of toilet flange
Accuracy radius± 4 inches
Pressure loss4 PSI / 10 min (confirmed)
Moisture reading87% baseboard, 64% adjacent
Cause of lossPinhole · acidic-water corrosion
Recommended repairReroute through attic — PEX-A
PDF + 8 photos · sent to homeowner within 4 hr
Pinpoint location with diagram
Floor-plan sketch with X-marks-the-spot accuracy, plus reference photos of the area
Photo documentation
Wide and close shots of the affected area, moisture meter readings, thermal images where applicable
Quantified measurements
Pressure loss rate, moisture percentages, temperature differentials — adjuster-grade numbers
Cause-of-loss assessment
Why this pipe failed — wear-and-tear vs sudden & accidental. Critical for the insurance claim outcome.
Repair recommendation + flat-rate quote
Three repair options when applicable. Written quote for each. You take this to insurance, get authorization, then proceed.
Service areas
Water leak detection in every Florida city
Tap your city for local detection notes — common leak types by region, typical pricing, response window.
Southeast Florida 100 cities
Highest call volume region. Same-day pinpoint service.
AtlantisAventuraBal HarbourBay Harbor IslandsBelle GladeBiscayne ParkBoca RatonBoynton BeachBriny BreezesCanal PointCloud LakeCoconut CreekCooper CityCoral GablesCoral SpringsCutler BayDania BeachDavieDeerfield BeachDelray BeachDoralEl PortalFlorida CityFort LauderdaleGlen RidgeGolden BeachGolfGreenacresGulf StreamHallandale BeachHaverhillHialeahHialeah GardensHighland BeachHillsboro BeachHollywoodHomesteadHypoluxoIndian CreekJuno BeachJupiterJupiter Inlet ColonyKey BiscayneLake Clarke ShoresLake HarborLake ParkLake Worth BeachLantanaLauderdale-by-the-SeaLauderdale LakesLauderhillLazy LakeLighthouse PointLoxahatcheeLoxahatchee GrovesManalapanMangonia ParkMargateMedleyMiamiMiami BeachMiami GardensMiami LakesMiami ShoresMiami SpringsMiramarNorth Bay VillageNorth LauderdaleNorth MiamiNorth Miami BeachNorth Palm BeachOakland ParkOcean RidgeOpa-lockaPahokeePalm BeachPalm Beach GardensPalm Beach ShoresPalmetto BayPalm SpringsParklandPembroke ParkPembroke PinesPinecrestPlantationPompano BeachRiviera BeachRoyal Palm BeachSea Ranch LakesSouth BaySouth MiamiSouth Palm BeachSouthwest RanchesSunny Isles BeachSunriseSurfsideSweetwaterTamaracTequestaVirginia GardensWellingtonWest MiamiWest Palm BeachWest ParkWestlakeWestonWilton Manors
+507 more Florida cities covered. See the slab leak hub for full regional breakdown. Contact us for your specific city.
Why detection specialists
Why a leak-detection specialist beats a plumber with one tool
A plumber finds the leak so they can fix it. A detection specialist finds the leak even when the answer is "don't fix yet — document for insurance first."
01
We don't cut to look
Every wall, slab, or yard cut adds restoration cost. Non-invasive detection means the only opening is at the actual leak point. Most jobs end with a 6"x12" drywall patch — not a torn-up bathroom.
02
The report is the product
For homeowners filing insurance claims, the diagnostic report is more valuable than the repair quote. Cause-of-loss documentation, moisture readings, photo evidence — all formatted for HO-3 adjuster review.
03
Detection fee credits to repair
You pay for the diagnostic once. If you proceed with us for the repair, the detection fee comes off the repair invoice. You never pay twice for the same problem.
5k+
Leaks locatedAcross Florida
FL
Florida-licensedState Certified
HO-3 readyAdjuster-grade reports
4.9 / 5.02,400+ Google reviews
Detection stories
Florida homeowners on finding before cutting
"Insurance wouldn't process my claim without a cause-of-loss report. The detection report they wrote was so thorough my adjuster called it 'the cleanest documentation he'd seen all month.' Full payout approved on first review."
CH
Christine H.Naples, FL
"Pool was losing 2 inches a day. Pool company said 'it's the shell.' These folks pressure-tested the plumbing, found a hairline crack in the return line. Pool shell was fine. Saved us a $15k resurface job."
RT
Reggie T.Cape Coral, FL
Detection FAQ
Common questions about leak detection
Nine direct answers. If yours isn't here, call (833) 435-3230.
What does water leak detection cost in Florida?
Flat-rate $295–$495 in most metros depending on scope. Pool-leak detection $395–$595. Whole-house diagnostic with written report $395 standard. The fee credits to your repair invoice if you proceed with us — so the cost is effectively zero if we end up doing the repair.
How long does a leak detection visit take?
45–90 minutes for a standard residential pinpoint. Whole-house mystery-leak diagnostics: 1.5–2.5 hours. Pool leak detection: 1–2 hours. Service-line leak in the yard: 1 hour. The written report is delivered within 4 hours of the visit, usually same-day.
Is acoustic detection accurate enough to avoid exploratory cutting?
On pressurized supply lines, yes — typical accuracy is ± 4 inches. Combined with thermal imaging the confidence is even tighter. We don't cut until we've narrowed the location to a 6-inch radius. If we can't get to that confidence, we tell you and recommend a follow-up technology (tracer gas) before cutting.
What's tracer gas and when do you use it?
A blend of 95% nitrogen and 5% hydrogen — non-flammable, non-toxic. We pump it into an isolated pipe section. Hydrogen is the lightest gas, so it escapes through any leak and migrates upward to the surface, where a handheld H₂ sensor picks it up. Right tool when acoustic fails (very small leaks, depressurized lines, drain leaks).
Can you detect leaks behind tile or under marble flooring?
Yes. Acoustic discs work through tile, marble, hardwood, and concrete. Thermal imaging is less effective through tile (the tile dampens the temperature differential) but still useful as confirmation. Tracer gas migrates through any porous material and provides accurate location even when other methods struggle.
Will my insurance pay for the detection visit?
Many Florida HO-3 policies pay for water leak detection as part of the claim under "access" coverage — but only if the leak turns out to be covered. Our written diagnostic report doubles as your supporting documentation. We don't bill insurance directly; you pay us and submit for reimbursement.
What if you can't find the leak?
Rare — but if we exhaust our seven technologies without confirming the leak source, we explain what was ruled out and refund the detection fee minus a callout charge. In 15 years of doing this in Florida, that's happened about a dozen times — almost always on cases where the "leak" turned out to be HVAC condensate, roof migration, or condensation, not plumbing.
Can I just buy a leak-detection sensor and DIY this?
Smart sensors (Flo by Moen, Phyn, Streamlabs) are excellent for prevention — they detect abnormal flow and shut the water off. They are not pinpoint detection tools. Once a leak exists and is hidden in your slab or wall, you need acoustic, thermal, and pressure tools to locate it — not flow sensors at the main.
How is your detection report different from what other companies provide?
A typical "leak detection" invoice from a general plumber says "leak located, repair $X." Ours is a 3–5 page PDF: pinpoint coordinates, accuracy radius, pressure-test data, moisture readings, thermal images where applicable, cause-of-loss assessment, and a flat-rate repair quote with three options. Built for the adjuster, not just the homeowner.
Suspect a hidden leak?
Get the diagnosis before anyone opens a wall.
Acoustic, thermal, tracer-gas, pressure isolation. Written report with 6-inch pinpoint. Detection fee credits to repair.
7
Tools per truck
6in
Pinpoint radius
~45min
To written report
5k+
Leaks located