Hidden water leaks can quietly damage walls, floors, and foundations. If you’re in Northridge, Granada Hills, or Chatsworth—and the meter won’t stop spinning—this simple guide shows what to do before a pro arrives. We’re local, licensed, and ready to help. Start at our Homepage, browse Services, or Book Online.
Leak Detection Los Angeles: Meter Test Anyone Can Do
Safety first: If you hear hissing at a gas appliance or smell gas, step outside and call your utility. When safe, see Gas Line Installation & Repair.
The 15-minute meter test:
- Turn off all water inside and outside (sinks, showers, washer, sprinklers, ice maker).
- Locate your water meter. It’s usually at the curb or a sidewalk box. Wipe the lens clean.
- Watch the leak indicator. Most meters have a small triangle/star dial. If it moves when all water is off, you likely have a leak.
- Confirm over 15 minutes. Take a photo of the meter reading. Wait 15 minutes with all water off. Take a second photo. Any increase = a leak.
- Isolate the house vs. yard. If you have a main shutoff to the house, close it and re-check the meter.
- Meter still moves: Likely the service line between the meter and house.
- Meter stops: Leak is inside the home piping.
Need help? We can walk you through this by phone and schedule Leak Detection & Repair.
Plumber Los Angeles Tools: Thermal Camera & Acoustic Listening
Here’s how our techs pinpoint leaks without tearing up the whole house:
- Thermal camera: Finds warm lines under floors and behind walls, great for hot-water slab leaks.
- Acoustic listening: Sensitive mics pick up leak “hiss” in copper or PEX lines.
- Moisture meters: Show how far water has traveled in drywall or flooring.
- Camera inspections: If drains or laterals are suspected, we run a camera to check for cracks, roots, or bellies. For heavy buildup, we may recommend Hydrojetting.
You get photos/video and simple next steps before any repair begins.
Plumbing Services Los Angeles for Slab Leaks
Slab leaks are common in older Valley homes with copper under concrete. We’ll explain options in plain English:
- Pinpoint & spot repair: Open a small area to fix the exact leak.
- Reroute above slab (often best): Bypass the bad section by running new pipe through walls/attic—less jackhammering, faster cleanup.
- Sectional repipe or whole-home repipe: For multiple leaks or very old piping, see Piping & Repiping Services and Drain Line & Water Line Repiping.
If a water heater line or tank is the culprit, we handle Water Heater Repair and can strap/upgrade to current code.
Signs You’re Close to a Hidden Leak
- Warm spot on tile or wood flooring
- Musty smell or buckling baseboards
- High bill without changing your water use
- Soggy yard near the sidewalk or along the meter-to-house path
- Constant meter movement even when everything is off
If any of these match your home, Contact Us for a same-day visit. Check our Los Angeles Service Area and nearby cities like Burbank and Glendale.
What Happens During a Leak Visit (Step by Step)
- Listen & inspect. We review your meter test and walk the home with moisture/thermal tools.
- Pinpoint. Acoustic listening narrows the exact spot; we mark paths on painter’s tape.
- Explain options & pricing. Spot repair, reroute, or repipe. You choose.
- Containment. Floor protection and dust control for clean work areas.
- Repair. Fast, code-compliant fixes with quality materials.
- Confirm & clean. Re-test pressure, check meter, and tidy up.
For drain-related leaks, we may camera the line and, if needed, clear with Hydrojetting to stop backups.
Two Quick Valley Case Notes
- Northridge (near CSUN): High bill + warm hallway tile. Acoustic test confirmed a hot-line slab leak under a short run. We rerouted above slab through a closet, restored water the same day, and left the slab untouched.
- Chatsworth ranch home: Soggy strip along the driveway. Meter moved even with house shutoff closed → service line leak. We trenchless-replaced the meter-to-house section and added a pressure regulator.
Prevent the Next Leak (Simple, Local Tips)
- Label your shutoffs during our visit.
- Check pressure. Hillside areas can run high; a regulator saves pipes and fixtures.
- Upgrade old flex lines & valves at sinks, toilets, and water heaters.
- Treat hard water to reduce pinhole corrosion and scale: Water Softener Installation or Water Filtration.
- Learn more: Aging Pipes Crisis: 90% West LA Homes Face Emergency and Earthquake Plumbing Prep in Los Angeles.
Local FAQs (Northridge • Granada Hills • Chatsworth)
1) The meter moves but I don’t see water—what’s my first step in Granada Hills?
Turn off the house shutoff and recheck the meter. If it still moves, it’s likely the service line. We’ll confirm and quote a focused repair or Drain Line & Water Line Repiping if the pipe is failing.
2) Can you find a leak under tile without tearing everything up in Northridge?
Often, yes. We use thermal and acoustic tools to pinpoint first. Many fixes are small reroutes above the slab—fast and clean. Start here: Leak Detection & Repair.
3) My yard in Chatsworth is soggy by the sidewalk—sprinklers or pipe leak?
Run the meter test with irrigation off. If the meter moves, it’s likely a main/service line leak. We can isolate and replace just that section.
4) Will you patch walls/floors after a leak repair?
We leave clean openings ready for finishing. If you want, we can coordinate simple patches or refer you. Ask during Leak Detection & Repair.
5) Do you offer emergency help at night or weekends in the Valley?
Yes—see Emergency Plumber Los Angeles for after-hours support. We’ll guide you on shutoffs by phone, then dispatch a tech.
Ready to stop the mystery leak?
Schedule Leak Detection & Repair, check our Los Angeles Service Area, or Book Online. We serve homes across the Valley and greater LA—fast, clean, and friendly.