Water Main Leak Detection in the Greater Seattle Area
Pinpoint long underground service-line leaks instead of replacing the entire line.
When the water main between your meter and your building is leaking, the default plumber response is often to quote a full line replacement. That's usually unnecessary. Simply Leak Detection locates main and service-line leaks acoustically and with tracer gas so the repair is a small section - not a hundred-foot trench.
Why water main locates pay for themselves
Replacing a long service line involves trenching the entire run, restoring the lawn, driveway, or hardscape above it, and several days of work. A precision locate plus a spot repair is typically a fraction of that cost - and in most cases the rest of the line has years of life left.
The exceptions are old galvanized lines or service lines with multiple prior failures; for those we'll tell you honestly that replacement is the better long-term call.
How we find water main leaks
We isolate the line at the meter and at the building, pressurize it, and listen for the leak's acoustic signature with ground microphones. 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. The result is a marked spot - usually within a foot - and a written summary included with the invoice.
Residential, commercial, and multi-family service lines
We handle service lines that range in size from 3/4" - 1 1/4" (residential) to 2" - 4" (commercial or multi-family). Where the line route itself is unknown, we often map portions of it as needed to aid in locating the leak.
- ◆Acoustic leak signatures on copper, poly, and PEX service lines
- ◆Tracer-gas escape points for additional confirmation when needed
- ◆Pressure-drop confirmation that the leak is on the main, not inside the building using isolation valve
- Isolate and pressure-test the service line
- Map the line route (as needed)
- Pinpoint with ground microphone, using tracer gas for confirmation when needed
- Mark the spot and document the location
We've located thousands of water main and service-line leaks across the Greater Seattle Area since 2010. The difference between a spot repair and a full line replacement is almost always the quality of the locate - and that's our specialty.
Three steps. No guessing.
Schedule
Call or message to book a time. We gather details so we arrive ready.
Non-invasive inspection
Acoustic sensors, tracer gas, and other non-invasive techniques - no jackhammers, no guesswork.
Clear written summary
Exact location and photos in a summary of findings included with every invoice.
Other ways we help
Underground Water Leak Detection
Find buried supply-line leaks without trenching your yard, driveway, or landscaping.
Explore service →
Plastic Water Pipe Locating
Locate buried poly, PE, and other non-metallic water lines that standard locators can't see.
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Private Utility Locating
Locate private underground utilities before you dig - water (plastic or metal lines), gas, electrical, and any known metallic lines.
Explore service →Have a water main leak? Let's locate it - and save the rest of the line.
Get your FREE quote today
Suspect a water main leak detection issue? Call now or send a quick message. We respond fast and provide clear pricing before any work begins.