Slab leak detection in Stuart and Martin County
Hot spots on the floor or a high water bill in Stuart, FL? Get matched with a licensed plumbing contractor for slab leak detection without tearing up the floor.
A slab leak is a leak in a water line that runs under or inside the concrete floor of your house. Because the pipe is buried, the leak can run for weeks or months before you know. The goal of detection is to find the exact spot so the repair can be small and targeted, instead of opening up half the house.
Signs of a slab leak
- Hot spots on the floor, which can point to a leak in a hot water line
- The sound of running water when every fixture is off
- A water bill that jumps with no change in how you use water
- Cracks in walls, floors or tile, or a floor that feels damp
- Low water pressure, or a water heater that seems to run all the time
- A musty smell or mildew under flooring, baseboards or carpet
Check the meter yourself first
Turn off every faucet and appliance that uses water, including the ice maker and irrigation. Find the water meter, which is usually in a box near the street, and look at the small leak indicator. If it moves, or if the numbers climb with everything off, water is leaking somewhere. If you shut the main valve at the house and the meter stops, the leak is on the house side of that valve. This does not tell you where the leak is, but it tells you whether to call someone.
How plumbers find a slab leak
A licensed plumbing contractor or a leak detection specialist has several tools. Which ones are used depends on the situation.
- Pressure testing. Isolating sections of pipe and watching whether pressure holds helps show which line is leaking.
- Acoustic listening. Sensitive microphones pick up the sound of water escaping from a pressurized pipe and help pinpoint the spot.
- Thermal imaging. A heat camera can show a warm area on a floor when a hot water line leaks.
- Line tracing. Locators follow the path of the pipe so the leak can be marked on the floor.
Often more than one method is used together to confirm the location before anyone cuts concrete.
What happens next
Once the leak is found, the plumber will explain your choices, usually a spot repair, a reroute or a repipe. See slab leak repair for how each works. Water that has been leaking under a house can also damage flooring and encourage mold, so it is worth asking whether any moisture follow up is needed.
Plumbing license and insurance
Plumbing work in Florida must be performed by a licensed plumbing contractor, and you can look up a license through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Many insurers cover some of the resulting water damage or the cost of accessing the pipe, but often not the pipe itself, and details differ. Check your policy, call your insurer before work begins, and keep photos and invoices. We cannot promise any coverage.
What it costs
Leak detection is often a few hundred dollars and can run higher for larger homes or tough locations. Some plumbers apply part of the detection fee to the repair. Ask before you book.
Not sure it is the slab? Read about high water bill investigation and water line and main line leaks.
Common questions
Can a slab leak be found without breaking the floor?
In many cases the location can be pinned down with listening equipment, pressure tests and thermal imaging before any concrete is cut. Cutting is usually only done once the plumber knows where to go.
Is a hot spot on my floor always a slab leak?
Not always. A hot spot can come from a leaking hot water line, but it can also come from other sources, such as ductwork or sun through a window. A plumber can confirm.
Related services
We refer homeowners in Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Port Salerno, Hobe Sound, Sewall's Point, and nearby communities.