Underground Leak Detection
for Yards and Service Lines
Soggy patches in the lawn, a meter that never stops or water bubbling up near the driveway? Our underground leak detection locates leaks in buried pipes without digging up your whole yard.
Underground Leak Detection for Buried Water and Irrigation Lines
Underground pipes carry water from the city meter to your building, feed outdoor spigots, supply pools and fountains and run sprinkler systems across the property. Buried anywhere from a few inches to several feet deep, they’re easy to forget until something goes wrong. When one cracks or a joint separates, water seeps into the surrounding soil. Depending on the soil type, the leak may surface quickly as a wet spot or disappear downward for months with no visible sign.
Finding a buried leak without digging trenches across the lawn takes the right combination of tools. We start by confirming which underground line is leaking, using meter tests and valve isolation. Then we trace the pipe route with electronic locators, since many lines aren’t where property owners expect them to be. Ground microphones and correlators listen for the distinctive sound of water escaping under pressure, and tracer gas can locate quiet leaks in plastic pipe that doesn’t transmit sound well.
Underground Leak Detection Services We Provide
Buried pipes vary in material, depth and purpose. We use detection methods suited to each, so leaks under lawns, driveways, patios and landscaping can be located with minimal digging and disruption.
Service Lines
Locate leaks between the water meter and your home or business.
Irrigation Lines
Find breaks in sprinkler mains and lateral lines across your landscape.
Pipe Locating
Trace the exact path and depth of buried water pipes.
Acoustic Detection
Ground microphones pick up the sound of escaping pressurized water.
Tracer Gas
Safe gas detection for quiet leaks in plastic underground pipes.
Outbuilding Lines
Detect leaks in lines feeding garages, guest houses and barns.
Signs of a Leak in an Underground Water Line
Your yard often gives the first clues. A patch of grass that stays green and lush while the rest of the lawn browns in summer may be watered by a buried leak. Soggy ground, puddles that appear without rain, or soil that feels spongy underfoot point to water escaping below. In some cases, you may see water bubbling up through cracks in a driveway, sidewalk or patio, or notice a depression forming where soil has washed away.
Indoor and meter clues matter too. If your water meter keeps moving with the main shutoff closed, the leak is almost certainly in the service line between the meter and the building. Lower water pressure at every fixture can indicate a significant underground loss. Rising bills, especially in months when you aren’t irrigating, are another warning. In areas with sandy soil, leaks may drain away quickly and leave few surface signs, making meter tests particularly important.
Why Property Owners Trust Our Underground Detection
Digging in the wrong spot can destroy landscaping, driveways and hardscape, so precision matters underground. Our licensed and insured technicians locate the pipe route first, then use acoustic equipment and tracer gas as needed to narrow the leak to a small area. We mark the spot clearly, arrange utility locates before any digging and explain repair options. You’ll receive written findings with photos for insurance claims or utility bill adjustment requests.
Fast Service
Quick and Reliable Plumbing Services.
Qualified Team
Skilled and Certified Plumbers at Your Service.
Affordable Price
Competitive Quality Plumbing Solutions.
150+ Project Done
Our Track Record of Excellence.
Benefits of Professional Underground Leak Detection
Precise detection means a small excavation instead of trenching across your property, protecting lawns, gardens, pavers and concrete. Finding the leak quickly stops water waste and lowers bills, often dramatically for service line leaks. It prevents soil erosion that can undermine walkways, driveways and even foundations. Documented findings may help with utility leak adjustments. And once the line is mapped, future repairs, upgrades or landscaping projects can be planned with confidence.
Underground Leak Detection in CA, TX and FL
From clay soils in Texas to sandy ground in Florida and mixed terrain across California, soil type affects how buried leaks behave. Our technicians adapt detection methods to local conditions in all three states.
Who Owns the Underground Water Line?
Before repairs, it helps to know whose responsibility the leaking pipe is. In most areas, the answer depends on which side of the meter it sits.
Typically, the water utility owns and maintains the meter and the pipe from the main to the meter. The property owner is usually responsible for the service line from the meter to the building, plus any irrigation, pool or outbuilding lines on the property. Rules can vary, so local confirmation is wise.
If a leak appears on the utility’s side, contact them directly for repair. If it’s on your side, professional detection keeps excavation small. Many utilities also offer bill adjustments for documented private-side leaks once the repair is complete, which can offset part of the cost.
How Our Underground Leak Detection Works
Tell us about wet areas, meter movement or bill changes. We’ll ask about irrigation, pools and other buried lines on the property.
Your technician tests the meter and closes valves to isolate the leaking line. Electronic locators trace and mark the pipe route. Acoustic microphones listen along the route for escaping water, and tracer gas is used when pipe material or depth makes sound detection difficult. The leak is then pinpointed and marked.
You’ll receive written findings, photos and an explanation of repair options, from spot excavation to replacing an aging line. Before any digging, utility locates are arranged to protect other buried services. Our plumbers can complete the repair and restore the area, or provide documentation for your own contractor.
Locate Your Underground Leak Today
Wet yard or a meter that won’t stop? Call our licensed technicians for underground leak detection that finds buried leaks precisely and protects your landscaping.
Underground Leak Detection Questions Answered
How do you find leaks underground?
We trace the pipe route, then use ground microphones, correlators and sometimes tracer gas to pinpoint where water is escaping, without digging first.
Why is part of my lawn always green?
A buried leak can water that area constantly. If the patch stays green and moist during dry weather, an underground line may be leaking beneath it.
Who repairs a leaking service line?
Usually the property owner handles the line from the meter to the building, while the utility covers its side. Local rules can vary.
What is tracer gas leak detection?
A safe gas mixture is introduced into the drained pipe. Sensitive detectors find where it escapes through the soil, locating quiet leaks in plastic lines.
Will you need to dig up my yard?
Only a small area once the leak is pinpointed. Accurate detection avoids trenching and keeps damage to lawns and hardscape minimal.