Detection starts at $339 and up. Every visit includes a written report. We locate the leak, provide an estimate for repair, and perform repairs. The starting fee is not a flat quote for every job.
Book an on-site leak detection appointment
Regular appointments: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Central. Emergency service is available 24/7 by phone. Call 972-333-5448 to discuss availability.
Explore our slab, water, pool and gas leak location services.
Written by Steven Shipler, Texas Licensed Master Plumber and Responsible Master Plumber — Texas License #45825.
If you know you have a plumbing leak but cannot tell exactly where it is coming from, professional leak detection is often the smartest first step before opening walls, cutting concrete, removing flooring, or excavating around the foundation.
In Dallas, Plano, Richardson, and surrounding North Texas communities, Lone Star Leak Locators’ detection fees start at $339 and up, depending on the complexity of the plumbing system and how difficult the leak is to isolate and locate.
Leak Detection Only
Starting at $339
To isolate and locate the leak using professional testing, acoustic tools, electronic listening equipment, cameras, or related leak-detection methods.
What Does “Leak Detection Only” Mean?
Leak detection only means the primary objective is to determine where the plumbing system is leaking.
It is separate from the actual plumbing repair.
For example, a homeowner may know there is unexplained water use because the meter continues moving while all fixtures are turned off.
But that does not tell us:
- Whether the leak is inside or outside the house
- Whether it is on a hot or cold water line
- Whether it is beneath the slab
- Whether it is inside a wall
- Whether it is in an underground yard line
- Whether more than one leak exists
The purpose of professional leak detection is to narrow those possibilities before destructive work begins.
Leak detection should answer one very important question: Where should the repair begin?
Why Leak Detection Costs Vary Between Jobs
The biggest difference is usually complexity.
| Type of Leak Detection | Pricing | What May Be Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Accessible Leak | Scope-specific quote | Visible plumbing, accessible fittings, basic pressure or meter testing. |
| Hidden Plumbing Leak | Scope-specific quote | Electronic listening, pressure testing, branch isolation, or concealed piping evaluation. |
| Slab or Underground Leak Location | Scope-specific quote | Acoustic equipment, geophone listening, plumbing isolation, underground locating, repeated verification. |
These are examples of testing scopes, not fixed-price packages. Confirm the detection fee for your property before booking. The actual cost depends on the plumbing system, accessibility, number of lines, leak depth, test time, and tools required.
The Most Important Part Is Not Hearing a Noise
Acoustic leak detection is not as simple as putting headphones on and listening for water.
A trained leak technician compares sound at multiple points and combines those readings with what the plumbing system is doing.
We may pressure test a line, isolate plumbing branches, compare hot and cold water systems, inspect meter movement, and then use electronic or acoustic equipment to narrow the location.
The sound has to make sense with the plumbing layout.
That is one reason Master Plumber involvement matters.
Three Tools Used for Professional Leak Detection
1. Acoustic Leak Detection Equipment
Electronic acoustic equipment amplifies underground leak sounds so the technician can compare readings across floors, concrete, walls, and surrounding areas.
2. Geophone Listening Equipment
A geophone is designed to detect vibration and sound traveling through the ground, concrete, or other materials. It can be especially useful when evaluating pressurized underground water leaks.
3. Inspection Cameras and Pressure Testing Equipment
Cameras can help inspect accessible cavities or piping conditions, while pressure testing helps confirm whether an isolated plumbing section is actually losing pressure.
Leak Detection Before Concrete Cutting
This is where professional detection can save a homeowner a substantial amount of money.
If a leak is believed to be underneath a concrete slab, it can be tempting to start opening the floor near the visible moisture.
But water does not always travel straight upward.
It can move through soil, gravel, cracks, pipe penetrations, and other pathways beneath the foundation before appearing somewhere else.
That means the wet spot is not automatically the leak location.
Spend the money to locate the leak before spending the money to repair it. Testing helps inform the repair plan before destructive work begins.
Questions to Ask Before Approving an Estimate
A useful estimate starts with a clear scope. Before your appointment, ask:
- Which plumbing system or pool components will be tested?
- What detection fee applies to this property?
- What happens if additional testing is needed?
- What repair work is included in the separate repair estimate?
- If access or restoration work is needed, how is it covered in that estimate?
We always provide a written report. When a leak is identified, we provide an estimate for repairs, and our team performs repairs. Discuss the proposed work and timing before approving it.
What You Receive After Leak Detection
Master Plumber Report
Lone Star Leak Locators provides a written Master Plumber Report documenting the leak-detection findings.
The report may include:
- The plumbing system tested
- Meter or pressure-testing observations
- Lines or branches isolated
- Electronic or acoustic findings
- The probable leak location
- Testing limitations
- The recommended repair starting point
Texas Licensed Master Plumber and Responsible Master Plumber — Texas License #45825
Leak Detection in Dallas, Plano & Richardson
Lone Star Leak Locators provides leak detection throughout Dallas, Plano, Richardson, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, and surrounding North Texas communities.
Dallas homes may have a mix of older and newer plumbing systems, remodels, and under-slab water lines.
Plano properties often include slab foundations with concealed plumbing that may require acoustic and electronic leak detection.
Richardson homes may have original plumbing combined with later additions or repairs, which can make isolation especially important.
Dallas Leak Detection Service Area
Need a Leak Located?
Leak Detection Only: Starting at $339
Test it. Isolate it. Locate it. Verify it before opening the property.
Call Lone Star Leak Locators: 972-333-5448Schedule Leak Detection Online
Book an on-site leak detection appointment
Regular appointments: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Central. Emergency service is available 24/7 by phone. Call 972-333-5448 to discuss availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does leak detection cost?
Lone Star Leak Locators’ detection fees start at $339 and up depending on the complexity of the plumbing system and how difficult the leak is to isolate and locate.
2. Is repair included in the leak detection price?
No. Leak detection and repair are normally separate services. The detection identifies the probable location so the repair can be priced accurately.
3. Can you locate a leak under concrete?
In many situations, acoustic equipment, pressure testing, isolation, and electronic leak-detection methods can narrow an under-slab leak before concrete is opened.
4. What is acoustic leak detection?
Acoustic leak detection uses sensitive electronic listening equipment to detect and compare sounds created by pressurized water escaping from piping.
5. Can cameras locate plumbing leaks?
Cameras can help inspect accessible cavities and piping conditions, but they are only one tool. Pressure testing and acoustic methods may also be necessary.
6. How long does leak detection take?
Please allow approximately 90 minutes for an appointment. Actual testing time varies with the property, access and problem; complex work may take longer.
7. Why does leak detection cost more on some homes?
Larger plumbing systems, multiple branches, deeper piping, difficult access, and underground leaks generally require more diagnostic time.
8. Can the wet spot be somewhere other than the actual leak?
Yes. Water can travel through soil, framing, wall cavities, and beneath slabs before becoming visible.
9. Should I cut concrete before professional leak detection?
In most cases, professional testing should come first so destructive access is based on evidence rather than guesswork.
10. Can you locate hot-water leaks?
Yes. Hot- and cold-water systems can be evaluated separately when the plumbing layout permits isolation.
11. Can underground yard lines be tested?
Yes. Underground water lines can often be pressure tested and evaluated using acoustic or electronic locating equipment.
12. Can there be more than one leak?
Yes. A plumbing system can have multiple leaks, which is why retesting after repair may be important.
13. Will I receive a written report?
Yes. Lone Star Leak Locators provides a Master Plumber Report documenting the testing and findings.
14. Do you provide leak detection in Plano and Dallas?
Yes. Lone Star Leak Locators serves Dallas, Plano, Richardson, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, and surrounding North Texas communities.
15. Who reviews the leak findings?
The plumbing findings are backed by a Texas Licensed Master Plumber and Responsible Master Plumber, Texas License #45825.
Confirm Your Detection Fee Before Booking
For planning purposes, Lone Star Leak Locators’ detection fees start at $339 and up.
The price depends on how difficult the plumbing system is to test and how much work is required to isolate the leak and identify the most likely repair location.
The important point is that this is the diagnostic cost, not necessarily the repair cost.
Confirm the diagnostic scope and fee before booking. Repair is estimated after the leak is located.
Lone Star Leak Locators
Slab • Water • Pool • Gas Leak Detection
972-333-5448