A water bill that jumped
A sudden or steady increase with no change in how you use water is one of the most common first signs of a leak.
Leak Detection & Diagnostics
Water leak investigation & plumbing diagnostics
A high water bill, the sound of running water, or a damp wall with no obvious source. When the cause isn’t clear, Tier One works through the system methodically until we find a real answer, and then we fix it.
Finding the problem is the hard part.
Some plumbing problems announce themselves. Others hide behind drywall, under a slab, or in a fixture that leaks so quietly no one notices. Guessing gets expensive: opening the wrong wall, replacing the wrong part, or paying a water bill that keeps climbing.
Tier One approaches these calls as diagnostics. We start with the simple checks that rule things out, such as the water meter, the toilets, the water heater, and the fixtures. Then we isolate parts of the system until the source is narrowed down. Once we’ve found it, we explain what we found and the realistic repair options.
Warning Signs
Signs of a hidden leak.
The meter moves with everything off
If the meter’s leak indicator is moving when no water is being used, water is going somewhere.
Sound of running water
Hissing or running water when every fixture is off can point to a toilet, a supply line, or a leak in a wall or under the floor.
Warm spots on the floor
In slab homes, a warm area of flooring can indicate a leak in a hot water line beneath it.
Damp walls or baseboards
Stains, bubbling paint, swollen baseboards, or a musty smell often mean water is reaching places it shouldn’t.
Water heater runs constantly
A heater that never seems to rest may be refilling because hot water is leaking somewhere in the system.
What We Handle
Leak and diagnostic services.
- Investigation of high water bills and unexplained water use
- Fixture, toilet and water heater leak checks
- Isolation of hot and cold supply lines to narrow down a leak
- Diagnosis of low pressure, noise and intermittent problems
- Repair of the leak once it’s located
- Reroutes or partial repipes when a line isn’t worth repairing
Check for a leak yourself
- Turn off every faucet and fixture, and make sure no appliance or irrigation is running.
- Find your water meter and note the reading, or watch its small leak indicator.
- Wait 15–30 minutes without using any water.
- If the reading changed or the indicator moved, water is being used somewhere. Give us a call.
Irrigation systems are a common source of water loss. If you have one, mention it when you call.
Our Approach
Methodical, not guesswork.
Listen first.
What you’ve noticed and when it started often tells us where to look.
Rule things out.
We check the meter, fixtures, toilets and water heater before assuming the worst.
Isolate the source.
We narrow the leak down to a section of the system before opening anything.
Fix it.
We explain the options, from a spot repair to a reroute, and complete the repair you choose.
FAQ
Leak detection questions.
What’s the most common cause of a high water bill?
Toilets are frequent culprits. A worn flapper or fill valve can leak silently into the bowl around the clock. Irrigation problems and dripping fixtures are also common. Hidden leaks in walls or under the slab are less common but more serious.
What happens if the leak is under my slab?
There are generally two options: open the floor and repair the pipe where it’s leaking, or abandon that section and reroute a new line through the walls or attic. The right choice depends on the location, the condition of the rest of the piping, and what’s above the leak. We’ll explain both.
Do you repair the leak too?
Yes. We’re a licensed plumbing contractor, so once the source is found, we can make the repair, reroute the line, or repipe the affected section.
What should I do if water is actively leaking?
Close your main water shutoff to stop the flow, then call us at 561-757-1048. If you don’t know where your shutoff is, that’s worth finding before you need it.
Related Services
Other ways we can help.
Repiping
Whole-home and partial repipes with careful planning, quality materials, and clean installation.
Repiping services
Plumbing Repairs
Toilets, faucets, shower cartridges, valves, hose bibbs, leaks, and everyday repairs.
Plumbing repair services
Water Heaters
Repair, replacement, troubleshooting, and installation for tank and tankless systems.
Water heater servicesRequest Service
Think you have a hidden leak?
Call or request service and tell us what you’ve noticed. If water is actively leaking, close your main shutoff and call us.