Frequently asked questions
Answers before you call.
Straight answers about hidden water leaks, non-invasive detection, pricing, timing, and what happens next.
Before you call
Look for a specialist that focuses on leak detection rather than general plumbing, uses non-invasive technology, and can explain how its findings will help with the repair. Local experience with Seattle-area soil conditions, plumbing systems, and property types is useful too. Simply Leak Detection specializes in non-invasive leak detection across the greater Seattle / Puget Sound area, helping homeowners and businesses avoid costly guesswork and unnecessary excavation.
Common signs include an unusually high water bill, a water meter that continues moving when no water is in use, wet or soggy patches in the yard, low water pressure, or the sound of running water when all fixtures are turned off. Foundation cracks or mold growth can also be warning signs. We can assess the property with specialized tools before the leak causes more damage.
A sudden increase often points to a hidden leak in an underground line, slab, interior plumbing system, or irrigation system. These leaks can continue wasting water for weeks without leaving an obvious puddle. Professional detection can identify the source so you can stop the loss and avoid continuing utility charges.
Yes. A professional inspection can confirm whether a leak exists before you commit to repairs, excavation, or pipe replacement. It can also identify a small problem before it becomes structural damage, mold growth, or a much higher water bill.
Make a note of when you first noticed the problem, recent water-bill changes, areas that feel damp or unusually warm, and any plumbing work that happened recently. If it is safe to do so, turn off faucets and water-using appliances before the technician arrives. Do not dig, open walls, or make a repair just to prepare for the inspection.
How detection works
Non-invasive leak detection locates a leak without digging, cutting, or breaking surfaces. Depending on the situation, technicians use acoustic listening devices, thermal imaging, and tracer gas to detect water movement and pinpoint hidden leaks behind walls, beneath floors, or underground. The goal is to identify the exact location while protecting your property.
Modern equipment can pinpoint many leaks within inches, although accuracy depends on the pipe material, depth, access, background noise, and the complexity of the plumbing system. Combining acoustic sensors, tracer gas, thermal imaging, and various other equipment gives the technician multiple ways to confirm the location and reduce trial-and-error repairs.
Yes. Underground water pipe leaks are located primarily through acoustics; we typically also use a safe nitrogen/hydrogen tracer-gas blend as additional confirmation of the leak location. Because most plastic lines have no tracer wire, RF utility locators cannot trace their route as a starting point to narrowing down the leak location. The right approach depends on the pipe, surrounding material, depth, and access.
Yes. Acoustic sensors and thermal imaging can help locate water escaping beneath a concrete slab without breaking the floor first. Finding the leak before repair work begins helps your plumber limit access to the smallest practical area and avoid unnecessary damage.
Yes. Underground irrigation and sprinkler leaks can be detected with specialized methods designed for outdoor systems. Accurate locating helps prevent water waste and limits damage to landscaping by showing where the repair should be focused.
Cost & process
The cost depends on the property size and type, the length of the suspected line, access, pipe material, and the complexity of the plumbing system. Precise leak location is often much more cost-effective than blindly digging or replacing an entire pipe system because it gives the repair team a specific target.
In most cases, yes. Identifying the exact leak location allows a plumber to make a targeted repair instead of replacing long sections of pipe or excavating areas that are not involved. Detection is designed to reduce the time, labor, and property disruption associated with guesswork.
Many residential inspections take 1-2 hours, with the exact timing depending on the system and the location of the suspected leak. Larger commercial properties, long underground lines, and complex plumbing systems may require more time. We provide a clear time estimate when scheduling.
We explain the location and relevant details so a plumber can perform a focused repair. The findings may include the approximate position and likely source, along with practical guidance for the next step. This keeps the repair process straightforward and helps avoid unnecessary work.
Yes. Every invoice includes a written summary of findings and documentation that can be shared with the plumber or repair contractor. It gives the repair team a precise starting point and helps everyone understand what was found before surfaces are opened.
Plumbers are usually the right professionals for repairing a known leak. A leak detection specialist is helpful when the source is hidden, the affected area is large, or a plumber needs a precise location before opening floors, walls, concrete, or landscaping. Many plumbers refer difficult-to-locate leaks to specialists so the repair can be more targeted.
Homes, businesses & systems
Yes. Residential inspections can address hidden leaks in interior plumbing, slabs, underground water lines, yards, and irrigation systems. Non-invasive methods help protect your home, flooring, landscaping, and foundation while the source is being located.
Yes. We work with commercial and multi-tenant properties, including industrial buildings, strip malls, restaurants, offices, apartment complexes, RV parks, and mobile home parks. Our approach is designed to minimize disruption while giving property managers and repair teams useful, accurate findings.
Non-invasive methods are designed to avoid the digging and surface removal associated with exploratory repairs. We prioritize protecting your home, yard, flooring, and landscaping while locating the leak. Any repair access is handled by the repair contractor after the location is known.
If the leak is very large or prolonged, yes. A prolonged leak can saturate soil, weaken the ground around a structure, and contribute to costly foundation or structural problems. Finding the source early can help limit water loss and reduce the chance that a small plumbing issue becomes a larger property issue.
Coverage & urgency
We serve the greater Seattle region from Stanwood down to Centralia, including Everett, Seattle, Kirkland, Bellevue, Renton, Tacoma, Olympia, and surrounding communities. Visit our service area page for the full list of cities and the latest coverage details.
Hidden indoor leaks should be addressed as soon as possible because they can lead to structural damage, mold growth, and higher repair costs. Outdoor underground leaks may be less likely to damage a building immediately, but they still waste water and can damage soil, landscaping, or nearby structures the longer they continue.
Still not sure what you are seeing?
Tell us what changed, where you noticed it, and what your water bill or meter is doing. We can help you decide what to do next.