Leak Detection
Hidden leaks waste water, damage your home, and cost you money every day they go undetected. Our advanced technology finds leaks fast so we can fix them before the damage spreads.
Signs You May Have a Hidden Leak
Most leaks are not obvious. They hide behind walls, under floors, and underground. Here is how to tell if you might have one.
Unexplained High Water Bills
If your water bill jumped but your usage has not changed, there is likely a hidden leak somewhere in your system. Even a small drip can waste thousands of gallons per month.
Water Stains on Walls or Ceilings
Yellow or brown stains appearing on drywall, ceilings, or around baseboards usually mean water is leaking behind the wall. The stain you see is often just a fraction of the damage.
Mold or Mildew Growth
Mold needs moisture. If you see mold in unusual places, especially away from bathrooms and kitchens, a hidden leak may be feeding it. This is a health concern for your family.
Sound of Running Water
If you hear water running when nothing is turned on, you have a leak. Check your water meter. If it is still spinning with everything off, you have a confirmed leak.
Warm Spots on the Floor
A warm area on a concrete slab floor can indicate a hot water line leak beneath the slab. This is common in Pittsburgh homes with slab-on-grade construction.
Low Water Pressure
A sudden drop in water pressure often means water is escaping the system before it reaches your fixtures. This is especially noticeable if it affects the whole house.
How We Find Hidden Leaks
We do not tear apart your home looking for leaks. Our advanced technology lets us find the exact source of a leak with minimal disruption to your walls, floors, and landscaping.
Acoustic Leak Detection
We use sensitive electronic listening devices that amplify the sound of water escaping from pipes. This lets us pinpoint leaks behind walls, under slabs, and underground without tearing anything apart.
Can locate leaks within inches through concrete, soil, and walls
Thermal Imaging
Infrared cameras detect temperature differences caused by water. Hot water leaks, cold water leaks, and moisture behind walls all show up clearly on thermal imaging, even when they are invisible to the naked eye.
Identifies moisture patterns behind walls and under floors non-invasively
Video Camera Inspection
For leaks in drain lines and sewer pipes, we insert a waterproof camera to visually inspect the interior of the pipe. This shows us cracks, breaks, joint failures, and corrosion firsthand.
Provides a clear visual of pipe condition and exact damage location
Types of Leaks We Find and Fix
Slab Leaks
Water or sewer lines running under your concrete slab floor can develop leaks from corrosion, ground movement, or poor original installation. Slab leaks are invisible but cause serious damage if left unaddressed.
Watch for: Warm spots on floor, sound of running water, cracked foundation, high water bills
Pipe Leaks Behind Walls
Copper, galvanized, and PEX pipes inside walls can leak from corrosion, joint failure, or freeze damage. Pittsburgh winters are especially hard on pipes in exterior walls and unheated spaces.
Watch for: Water stains, bubbling paint, mold growth, musty smell in specific rooms
Fixture Leaks
Faucets, toilets, showerheads, and supply lines can develop slow leaks at connections and seals. While often minor individually, these can waste significant water and cause hidden damage.
Watch for: Dripping sounds, water around the base of fixtures, loose or rocking toilet
Underground Water Line Leaks
The main water supply line from the street to your home runs underground and can crack or corrode over time. Many Pittsburgh homes still have original lead or galvanized supply lines.
Watch for: Wet spots in the yard, loss of water pressure, muddy water, unusually green patches of grass
Why Early Leak Detection Saves You Money
Water Bill Savings
A leak the width of a pencil tip can waste over 900 gallons per month. Finding and fixing it immediately saves you money on every water bill going forward.
Prevent Structural Damage
Water behind walls rots framing, destroys drywall, and weakens your home. A leak that costs a few hundred to fix today can cause thousands in structural damage tomorrow.
Avoid Mold Remediation
Mold can grow within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Professional mold remediation can cost $1,000-$10,000 or more. Fixing the leak early prevents this entirely.
Quick DIY Leak Check: Read Your Water Meter
Before calling us, you can confirm whether you have a leak with this simple test:
- 1Turn off every faucet, appliance, and fixture that uses water in your home.
- 2Find your water meter (usually near the street or sidewalk) and check the flow indicator or read the numbers.
- 3Wait 15-30 minutes without using any water.
- 4Check the meter again. If it has moved, you have a leak somewhere in your system. Give us a call.
Stop Hidden Leaks Before They Stop You
Matt Meyers Plumbing uses professional-grade detection technology to find leaks fast and fix them right. Serving Pittsburgh, Oakdale, and all surrounding communities.
Licensed Plumbers • Advanced Technology • Non-Invasive Detection • Serving Oakdale & Greater Pittsburgh