Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
How can I tell I have a leak if I can't actually see it?
Hidden leaks leave clues even when the water itself is out of sight: a water bill that climbs without explanation, a damp or musty smell in one area, low pressure at certain fixtures, or the sound of water moving when nothing is running. Any one of these on its own is worth checking, and more than one together is a strong sign something needs a closer look. Learn more on our Water Leaks and Slab Leaks pages.
How do I check my own water meter for a leak?
Turn off every fixture and appliance in the house, then record your water meter reading. Wait one to two hours without using any water, and check the meter again. If the number has changed, water is escaping somewhere in the system even though nothing was running.
How do plumbers actually find leaks they can't see?
Professionals rely on tools built specifically for this: acoustic devices that listen for the sound of water escaping a pressurized line, thermal imaging cameras that spot temperature differences behind a wall or under a floor, and video cameras that inspect the inside of a pipe directly, all without cutting into anything first. Read about our diagnostic process on our About Us page.
What determines how much leak detection costs?
The type of leak, its location, and which detection method it requires are the main factors. An exposed fixture leak is generally faster and less involved to locate than a leak hidden under a slab, buried underground, or in a gas line, since those require more specialized equipment and more time to pin down.
Should I try to find the leak myself before calling someone?
The water meter test is a reasonable first step and costs nothing. But if the meter confirms a leak and you can't visually locate it, or if you notice a sudden pressure drop, persistent water damage with no obvious source, or a suspected leak in your main line, that's the point where specialized equipment becomes necessary rather than optional. Contact Us for fast assistance.
What areas of Harrisburg do you serve?
Our visible service area covers Harrisburg's core zip codes: 17101, 17102, 17103, 17104, 17109, 17110, 17111, 17112, 17113, and 17120, along with the surrounding suburbs of Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, Hershey, Hummelstown, Middletown, Lemoyne, New Cumberland, and Enola.
Slab Leak Detection
Why is a slab leak more expensive to find than a typical leak?
A slab leak requires specialized equipment, acoustic listening devices, electronic correlators, or thermal imaging, to pinpoint the exact location under concrete before anyone starts cutting, which takes more time and technical skill than locating an exposed fixture leak. Visit our Slab Leak Detection page for more info.
What are the signs of a slab leak specifically?
A warm patch on the floor, a rising water bill with no clear cause, new cracks in flooring or walls, or a musty smell with no visible source are all common indicators, and they can appear well before any visible water damage.
Underground Leak Detection
How do I know if a leak is underground rather than inside my house?
A wet or unusually green patch in the yard, dropped pressure across your entire home, or the sound of running water near the meter all point toward an underground line rather than interior plumbing. See details on Underground Leak Detection.
Will finding an underground leak mean digging up my whole yard?
No, ground microphones and acoustic amplifiers can locate a leak along a buried line without digging, which is why detection happens before any excavation is planned rather than the other way around.
Water Leak Detection
How do I know if a leak is from an appliance rather than my plumbing?
A leak concentrated near a washing machine, dishwasher, or refrigerator, especially one that only appears when the appliance runs, usually points to the appliance connection rather than the home's general plumbing.
What should I do if I find a wet spot before you arrive?
If it is safe to do so, shutting off the water supply to the affected fixture or the home's main valve can help limit further damage until the source is properly located.
Sewer Leak Detection
How do I know if it is a clog or a sewer leak?
A single slow drain is usually a local clog, while multiple drains backing up together, a sewage smell, or a wet patch in the yard point toward a problem in the main sewer line itself. Learn more about Sewer Line Inspection.
Are tree roots really a common cause of sewer line damage?
Yes, roots are drawn to the moisture inside a sewer line and can enter through even a small existing crack, making root intrusion one of the most common causes of sewer line failure in older, established neighborhoods.
Gas Leak Detection
What should I do if I smell gas right now?
Leave the property immediately, avoid using any switches or electronics, and call your gas utility company or 911 from a safe distance. Do not wait for a scheduled appointment. Read our Gas Leak Safety guide.
Why does gas leak detection typically cost more than water leak detection?
Locating a gas leak requires different, more specialized equipment and a more methodical process than a standard water leak, since the margin for error is much smaller and the testing has to be thorough at every connection point.
Pool Leak Detection
How can I tell if my pool actually has a leak, or if it's just evaporation?
Place a bucket on the pool step filled to the same level as the pool water, mark both levels, and check again after 24 hours. If the pool has dropped noticeably more than the bucket, that points to a real leak rather than ordinary evaporation. Check our Pool Leak Detection page.
Do I need to drain my pool for leak detection?
Usually not. Pressure testing and dye testing are both designed to locate a leak while the pool remains filled.
Radiant Heating Leak Detection
How do I know if my cold floor is a leak or just an uneven heating system?
A newly developed cold spot, especially alongside a pressure drop in the system, points toward a leak, while a floor that has always heated unevenly may simply reflect how the original loops were laid out. Explore Radiant Heating Leak Detection.
Is this different from regular water leak detection?
Yes, a radiant system is a closed, pressurized loop rather than a standard supply line, so the signs and detection methods focus on heating patterns and system pressure rather than typical water leak symptoms.
Location-Specific Questions
Does Camp Hill's long history as an incorporated borough affect leak detection?
Camp Hill was settled in 1735 and incorporated in 1885, so many of its properties have plumbing that has been repaired or updated multiple times, which is useful context when narrowing down a likely cause. Learn more on our Camp Hill page.
Is Mechanicsburg's historic downtown different from its newer areas for detection purposes?
The detection methods are the same throughout, but Mechanicsburg's 19th-century Main Street district in zip code 17050 tends to involve older plumbing than the newer residential areas in zip code 17055. Read our Mechanicsburg guide.
Does Hershey's planned-community history matter for leak detection?
Yes, since much of Hershey's original housing was built in a concentrated stretch of the early twentieth century as part of Milton Hershey's planned development, properties from that same era can face similar age-related plumbing risks around the same time. Check our Hershey services.
Is Hummelstown's founding history relevant to local plumbing?
Hummelstown dates back to 1762, and its older sections have plumbing that has typically been repaired and updated many times across that long history, which is worth factoring in during diagnosis. See our Hummelstown page.
Why is Middletown described as the oldest community in Dauphin County?
Middletown was founded in 1755, predating the surrounding communities, and its riverfront location along the Susquehanna is also a relevant factor for properties closer to the water. Read our Middletown guide.
Does Lemoyne's name-change history affect its plumbing systems?
Lemoyne developed under three different names, Bridgeport, Riverton, and finally Lemoyne, across nearly two centuries, so its older sections reflect a similarly long history of plumbing repairs and updates. Check our Lemoyne services.
Is New Cumberland's ferry-crossing origin relevant today?
The borough's historic core, dating to its 1831 incorporation, has older plumbing systems, and properties nearer Yellow Breeches Creek or the Susquehanna riverfront can also face a different water table than those set further back. Visit our New Cumberland page.
Does Enola's railroad history affect local properties?
Enola grew up around the historic Enola Yard rail complex, and neighborhoods that developed during that railroad-era growth tend to have older plumbing systems worth factoring into a diagnosis. Read our Enola guide.