Plumbing Leak Detection & Repair – Find it Fast. Fix it Right.
Hidden leaks waste water, destroy structures, and skyrocket utility bills. Olde Town Plumbing uses advanced detection technology to pinpoint leaks precisely – without tearing apart your home.
10,000+
Gallons wasted annually by the average household leak
10%
Of U.S. homes have leaks wasting 90+ gallons per day
$500+
Annual savings possible with leak repairs (EPA estimate
24–48 hrs
Window before mold begins growing in wet drywall
Why Leak Detection Matters
San Antonio's Hidden Leak Problem
Most plumbing leaks aren’t obvious. They lurk behind walls, under concrete slabs, beneath floors, and underground — silently draining your water bill and damaging your property for months before you notice them.
In San Antonio, hard water and significant temperature swings — from freezing winter nights to summer heat that can top 100°F — create harsh conditions for plumbing systems. These extremes accelerate pipe corrosion and joint failure, making hidden leaks more common here than in many other parts of the country.
Olde Town Plumbing’s San Antonio plumbers are trained and equipped with professional-grade detection tools to find leaks with as little cosmetic damage as possible. Rather than guessing and opening up walls in multiple locations, we pinpoint the exact location of the problem — then perform targeted, efficient repairs that minimize damage to your home.
Warning Signs
Signs You May Have a Hidden Plumbing Leak
These indicators don’t always mean a leak — but they warrant a professional inspection. The sooner a leak is detected, the less damage it causes.
Unexplained High Water Bills
If your water usage hasn’t changed but your bill has spiked, you’re likely losing water somewhere in your system. Even a small leak adds up to thousands of wasted gallons.
Sound of Running Water
Hearing water moving through pipes when all fixtures are off is a reliable indicator of a pressurized leak somewhere in your supply lines.
Stained or Bubbling Walls and Ceilings
Water stains, bubbling paint, or soft drywall are signs of moisture intrusion — often from a leaking pipe hidden in the wall cavity or above the ceiling.
Warm or Wet Spots on Floors
A warm area on a concrete slab floor can indicate a hot water line leak beneath the slab — one of the most destructive leak types if left unaddressed.
Mold or Musty Odors
Mold thrives in damp, dark spaces. A persistent musty smell — even without visible mold — can indicate chronic moisture from a hidden leak.
Low Water Pressure
A sudden or gradual drop in water pressure throughout your home may indicate water is escaping the system before it reaches your fixtures.
Meter Spinning with Everything Off
Turn off all water-using appliances and fixtures, then watch your meter. If it’s still moving, water is leaving your system somewhere it shouldn’t be.
Cracked Foundation or Settling
Water leaking beneath a foundation can erode the soil underneath, leading to foundation movement and cracking — a serious structural concern.
Our Technology
Advanced Leak Detection Technology We Use
If you’re experiencing any of the situations below, don’t wait — call our San Antonio plumbers immediately. Water damage compounds fast, and some plumbing emergencies pose direct safety risks.
Pressure Testing
We isolate pipe sections and apply controlled pressure to confirm the presence and location of leaks — particularly effective for supply lines and gas lines where visual access is limited.
Video Pipe Inspection
A flexible fiber-optic camera travels through your drain and sewer lines, transmitting live video of pipe interiors. We identify cracks, root intrusions, offset joints, and buildup with precision.
Tracer Gas Detection
For particularly difficult-to-locate leaks, we introduce a safe, inert tracer gas into the pipe system and use a sensitive detector to identify exactly where it escapes.
Moisture Meters
Handheld moisture detection devices measure water content in building materials, confirming the presence of moisture and helping us map its spread without opening walls.
Professional & Prompt Plumbing Service
Types of Leaks We Detect
Every Type of Plumbing Leak, Found and Fixed
Slab Leaks
Water and sewer pipes that run beneath the concrete slab of your San Antonio home are vulnerable to corrosion, soil movement, and pressure from the region's expansive clay soils. Slab leaks are particularly destructive because the water has nowhere to go — it saturates the foundation and can cause serious structural damage. Our acoustic and thermal tools locate slab leaks precisely so repairs can be made through targeted access points rather than broad excavation.
MOST COMMON IN SAN ANTONIO
Behind-Wall & Ceiling Leaks
Supply lines and drain connections inside wall cavities develop leaks from corrosion, failed fittings, or freeze damage. Thermal imaging and moisture meters allow us to trace the leak's path through the structure and open only the minimum necessary area for repair, saving you significant restoration costs.
Underground Water Line Leaks
The main water line running from the street meter to your home can leak due to age, soil movement, or root intrusion. These leaks are invisible at the surface but cause constant water loss and can undermine landscaping and driveways.
Sewer & Drain Line Leaks
Cracked or separated sewer lines under or around your home allow sewage to escape into the soil — posing health and environmental risks. Video inspection is the gold standard for diagnosing drain line condition, and we use it routinely to assess older lines and troubleshoot recurring backups.
Fixture & Appliance Leaks
Toilets, faucets, water heaters, refrigerator ice makers, and dishwashers are common sources of slow leaks that go undetected for months. We inspect all fixture connections during our diagnostic visits and repair or replace faulty components on the spot when possible.
Our Process
How Olde Town Plumbing Detects & Repairs Your Leak
1
Diagnostic Consultation
We discuss your symptoms — unusual bills, sounds, stains — and perform a preliminary assessment to determine the likely location and type of leak before deploying detection equipment.
2
Detection
Using video inspection, imaging and/or other methods, we systematically trace your plumbing system to locate the precise source of the leak. We document our findings with photos and readings.
3
Written Repair Estimate
We explain exactly what we found, show you the evidence, and present a written, flat-rate repair quote. You decide how to proceed — no pressure, no surprises.
4
Targeted Repair
We repair the leak using the minimum necessary access point — a single core drill location for a slab leak, or a precisely placed wall opening rather than a broad section. Quality materials and proper technique ensure a lasting repair.
5
Verification & Documentation
After the repair, we pressure-test or re-inspect to confirm the leak is fully resolved. We provide documentation of the repair for your records and homeowner’s insurance if needed.
Suspect a Leak in Your San Antonio Home?
Don’t wait — the damage compounds daily. Call Olde Town Plumbing for expert leak detection and targeted repair.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked QuestionsLeak Detection FAQ — San Antonio
How much does leak detection cost in San Antonio?
Leak detection costs vary depending on the type of leak suspected, the size of the property, and the equipment required. We provide a clear, upfront quote before beginning any detection work. In many cases, the cost of professional detection is quickly recovered through reduced water bills and by avoiding unnecessary demolition costs from guesswork.
Will you have to tear up my floor or open my walls to find the leak?
We know your home is valuable. We use the least invasive detection methods we can to locate leaks through the structure without demolition. When repair does require access — such as a slab leak repair — we open only the minimum necessary area, often a single, precisely placed access point.
I think I have a slab leak. How urgent is it?
Slab leaks should be addressed promptly. Water leaking beneath a foundation continuously saturates the surrounding soil, which can cause the slab to shift or crack, leading to expensive foundation damage. In San Antonio, where expansive clay soils are common, this risk is particularly pronounced. We recommend scheduling an inspection as soon as you notice the warning signs.
My water bill has been higher than usual. Does that definitely mean I have a leak?
Not necessarily, but it’s a strong indicator worth investigating. Increased water bills can result from a hidden leak, a running toilet, an irrigation system issue, or simply a change in usage patterns. We recommend the meter test: turn off all water in the home, note the meter reading, and check it again after 30–60 minutes. If it has moved, you likely have a leak.
Why Choose Us
What Sets Olde Town Plumbing Apart in San Antonio
State-Licensed Master Plumbers
Every job is performed or supervised by a Texas-licensed master plumber, ensuring code-compliant work that protects your home's value and your family's safety.
Upfront, Flat-Rate Pricing
We quote the price before we start. No surprise invoices, no hidden fees. You approve the cost, then we get to work.
Fast Response Times
Same day appointments are usually available and our technicians can reach most San Antonio neighborhoods in under an hour for emergency calls. We respect your time.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
We stand behind every repair and installation with a workmanship warranty. If something isn't right, we come back and make it right.
Family-Friendly Service
All our technicians are background-checked and drug-tested. We treat your home with the same respect we'd want in our own.
Locally Based
We're your neighbors — not a national franchise. Our investment is in the San Antonio community, and that shows in how we treat every customer.
Service Area
Serving San Antonio & Surrounding Communities
Our San Antonio plumbers travel throughout Bexar County, Kendall County and nearby communities. If you don’t see your neighborhood below, give us a call — chances are we serve your area.
Far North San Antonio
Northwest San Antonio
Northeast San Antonio