Water leaks can waste a lot of water and cause expensive damage. Finding leaks early can help you avoid high repair bills, water waste, and property damage. But how much does water leak detection cost?
This guide breaks down the costs, what factors affect the total money you need to spend on leak detection, the importance of detecting leaks early, and more.
Why Should You Check Water Leaks Early?
Ignoring leaks can cause more than just a high water bill. Here’s what can happen if leaks go unchecked:
High Water Bills
A leak means you’re paying for water you’re not using. Even a small, steady drip from a faucet can waste hundreds of gallons per month. A running toilet can waste even more—up to 200 gallons of water per day. That can add $70–$100 extra per month to your bill.
Mold and Mildew
Damp areas create the perfect environment for mold and mildew. This isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it can affect your health. Mold exposure can cause breathing problems, allergies, and skin irritation, especially for people with asthma. Once mold spreads, it can be hard to remove, leading to costly remediation.
Water Damage
Leaks don’t just affect your plumbing. Over time, water can weaken drywall, cause wood rot, and damage flooring. If the leak is inside a wall, it can go unnoticed for months, slowly causing damage that is expensive to repair. In severe cases, water can weaken a home’s foundation, leading to cracks and structural issues.
Low Water Pressure
If your shower or faucets suddenly have weak pressure, a leak could be the reason. When water escapes from a hidden pipe, less water reaches your taps. This is especially common in older homes where pipes may be corroded or damaged.
Strange Sounds
Hearing water running when no one is using it? That’s a sign of a hidden leak. The sound of dripping, hissing, or rushing water inside walls or under floors means water is moving where it shouldn’t be. This often happens with slab leaks, where pipes leak under the foundation, making them hard to spot.
Structural Damage
Long-term leaks can lead to serious structural damage. If water collects under a home’s foundation, it can shift the soil and cause cracks in the structure. In extreme cases, this can lead to sinking floors or doors that won’t close properly. Repairing foundation damage is one of the most expensive home repairs, often costing thousands of dollars.
Higher Energy Bills
Leaks don’t just waste water—they can also waste energy. If you have a hot water leak, your water heater works harder to keep up, leading to higher gas or electricity bills.
Pest Problems
Standing water from leaks can attract termites, cockroaches, and rodents. Many pests are drawn to damp areas, especially in basements or crawl spaces. Fixing leaks can help keep pests out and prevent infestations.
How Much Does Water Leak Detection Cost?
Water leak detection costs can vary depending on various factors. Below is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay and what factors affect the price.
Average Cost of Water Leak Detection
In most cases, professional water leak detection costs between $175 and $350 (and even more depending on the severity of the leak). This price may cover the inspection and identification of a leak. Some companies charge a flat rate, while others may charge by the hour.
Factors That Affect the Cost
Several things can influence the final price, including:
Location of the leak – Leaks underneath the sink or behind toilets can differ in price depending on the tools and expertise needed to fix them without affecting other pipes.
Type of leak detection method – Thermal imaging, acoustic sensors, and infrared cameras may add to the cost.
Your location – Prices depend on where you live and how many professionals are available in your area.
Urgency – Emergency services often come with higher fees, especially if you need detection outside of normal business hours.
Leak detection is just the first step. If a leak is found, you may need to pay for:
Plumbing repairs – Fixing a leak can cost anywhere from $150 to $1,000, depending on the severity.
Water damage repairs – If the leak has caused damage to your home, repairs for walls, floors, or ceilings can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the total cost.
Reinspection fees – Some companies charge for a second visit to confirm the repair was successful.
Different Leak Types and How Hard They Are to Find
Not all leaks are the same. Some are easy to spot, while others can go unnoticed for months. The harder a leak is to find, the more it may cost to detect. Here’s a breakdown of common leak types and why some are trickier to locate than others.
Leak Type | Detection Difficulty | Occurrence | Signs to Look For |
Faucet and fixture leaks | Easy | High | Dripping water, rust, or mineral buildup around the fixture. |
Toilet leaks | Moderate | High | Silent/hidden leaks, high water bills, color appearing in the bowl after adding food coloring to the tank. |
Pipe leaks under sinks | Moderate | Medium | Puddles, damp spots, and a musty smell under the sink. |
Slab leaks | Hard | Low | Warm spots on floors, cracks in walls, unexplained high water bills. |
Underground leaks | Very hard | Low | Soggy patches in the yard, unusually green grass, and a drop in water pressure. |
Ceiling and wall leaks | Tricky | Medium | Water stains, peeling paint, mold, bubbling paint. |
How DrizzleX Helps You Detect Leaks and Stop Water Waste
DrizzleX helps you find hidden leaks before they drive up your water bill. Running toilets, dripping faucets, and other silent leaks can waste thousands of gallons every year. DrizzleX detects them early and alerts you so you can fix the problem before it gets expensive.
Most buildings that use DrizzleX cut their water bills by 25-45%, with savings covering the cost of the system in about 9 months. Let’s find the best price for you with a quote today!
In fact, here’s a sample case study of how DrizzleX helped property managers like you cut utility costs.
A building on S. Westlake Ave. with 128 tenants cut its water use by 29% after installing DrizzleX. That’s a big drop! Prior to that, water use was much higher, but with better tracking, they saved $32,591 in just one year.
Less wasted water, lower bills—pretty awesome, right? Just goes to show that DrizzleX’s smart water monitoring actually works.
Here’s another sample. A 10-unit building on S. Robertson Ave. with 13 tenants saw a 41% drop in water use after adding DrizzleX. That change led to $5,070 in savings over the year. Before, a lot more water was going down the drain, but now, the building uses less and pays less. Just a simple switch made a big difference!
FAQs About Water Leak Detection Cost
How much does it cost to diagnose a water leak?
The cost of a leak detection service depends on several factors, including the location of the plumbing leak, the complexity of the plumbing system, and the methods used. Professional leak detection services usually start at $150. If the leak detection specialists need to use specialized equipment like infrared cameras, ground penetrating radar, or hydrostatic water testing, the price can be higher. The cost may also vary depending on the rates of the leak detection company in your area.
How much does a water leak detector cost?
If you’re looking for DIY leak detection tools, prices range from $20 for basic moisture sensors to $300 or more for smart water monitors that connect to your phone. More advanced plumbing leak detection tools, like acoustic leak detection devices or moisture meters, can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000.
These tools can help locate hidden leaks, but they may not always be as accurate as a professional leak detection service. If you're dealing with an underground leak or a complex plumbing system, hiring leak detection specialists is usually the best option.
How do plumbers detect water leaks?
Plumbers use different methods to find hidden leaks in a plumbing system. For simple cases, they may rely on moisture meters to check for damp spots or infrared cameras to find temperature differences caused by leaking water. If the leak is underground, they may use acoustic leak detection to listen for water movement or ground penetrating radar to locate an underground leak. For certain plumbing leaks, plumbers may perform hydrostatic water testing, which checks for pressure drops in the pipes.
Professional leak-detection plumbing services have access to advanced technology that helps locate leaks without unnecessary digging or wall damage.
How much does a water leak detection test cost?
A plumbing leak detection test can cost anywhere from $100 to $600, depending on the complexity of the job and the tools required. If a plumber only needs moisture meters or infrared cameras, the cost will likely be on the lower end. More advanced tests, like hydrostatic water testing or acoustic leak detection, may cost more. If an underground leak is suspected, a leak detection company may need to use ground penetrating radar, which can increase the price. The total cost also depends on whether the leak detection specialists need to inspect multiple areas of the plumbing system or if repairs are required after the test.
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