January water bill was over twice my normal January usage (3kgal vs 14kgal).

I've measured 20gal/hr with all fixtures shut off. It's obvious I have a leak on my side of the meter. I can hear an audible running water sound in certain interior walls of the home. Home built in '70, slab foundation. I went throughout the house & yard tonight with a thermal camera and couldn't find any obvious leak signs.

Any recommendations for leak detection companies? I've found Accurate Leak & Line & American Leak Detection but that's only from a quick google search.

have you checked all the toilets? do you have a pool?

Yes & no.

I've checked everything and come to the conclusion that it has to be a slab leak

No soft spots in the yard around the house or at the meter?

None that I can tell. I realize the sound of leaking water can resonate throughout a pipe, but there's a pretty noticeable sound right in the center of my house (interior walls).

I used Accu Find Leak Detection nine seven two three nine nine zero zero six one. They found the leak and were able to re-route my water line through my attic and did not have to bust up the slab. Very satisfied with their work.

I have seen the leak detectors hook up an air hose to the water line and then use a stethoscope type device on the ground to find the air noise to locate the leak.

Thanks for the recommendation. Might try to give them a call tomorrow.

I talked with Accurate Leak & Line today (may be able to come by tomorrow). Guy said in most cases they prefer to reroute the line in the wall/attic instead of repairing in the slab. I have mixed feelings about that, but ultimately the location of the leak has a lot to do with which method I would prefer. He did give me a $3k ballpark which I'm sure can vary quite a bit. This sounded a bit high to me especially since I'd still be stuck repairing the cosmetics of the repair (drywall/texture/paint).

txag2008 said:

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Thanks for the recommendation. Might try to give them a call tomorrow.

I talked with Accurate Leak & Line today (may be able to come by tomorrow). Guy said in most cases they prefer to reroute the line in the wall/attic instead of repairing in the slab. I have mixed feelings about that, but ultimately the location of the leak has a lot to do with which method I would prefer. He did give me a $3k ballpark which I'm sure can vary quite a bit. This sounded a bit high to me especially since I'd still be stuck repairing the cosmetics of the repair (drywall/texture/paint).

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I would definitely get multiple bids as $3K sounds way out of line if they're only rerouting 1 water line and not busting slab and not doing wall patchwork repairs, etc.

update?

Had a guy come by and he confirmed that there was indeed a slab leak. He used a listening probe and he thinks it's in the water heater-bathroom-W/D area just like I was hearing.

I did get a quote from another company (Accu-Find) for $1700 that I've scheduled for repair/reroute. First available time is Feb 28. For the time being I'm turning off my water when I go to work (and at night if I think about it) at the meter.

Update: Is was fixed by relocating the cold & hot water lines from the water heater to the W/D with 3/4" PEX. I got lucky in that both wall penetrations are in inconspicuous spots.

tie ins above water heater


Access in entry closet


Access behind dryer