Leak Detection Los Angeles | Find & Fix Hidden Leaks Fast

Hi-Tech Plumbing Services Inc. finds and repairs hidden leaks across Los Angeles. Based in Winnetka, we help homeowners and small businesses in the San Fernando Valley and nearby areas. We inspect slab leaks, leaks inside walls and ceilings, and underground water lines.

Why Finding Your Leak Early Saves You Thousands

You might think a small leak is no big deal. But here’s what actually happens: a tiny drip costs you money every single day. Over a month, it adds hundreds to your water bill. Over a year? Thousands. And that’s just the water bill—the real damage happens to your home.

Hidden water eats away at your foundation. It creates mold in your walls. It rots wood and damages drywall. By the time you finally find it, you could be facing $5,000, $10,000, or even more in repairs.

That’s why we exist. Finding leaks early is the cheapest insurance policy you can buy. In many cases, hidden leaks are caused by damaged or aging pipe-services issues that need prompt attention. Let’s find yours before it becomes a nightmare.

Acoustic listening for hidden wall leak in Van Nuys — non-invasive
Best Leak Detection & Repair - hi-tech plumbing
PRV and expansion tank installed after leak repair — West LA

How Do You Know If You Have a Hidden Leak?

Your home usually drops hints long before you see a puddle. Here’s what to watch for, and what each sign often means:

What you notice

What it often means

Water bill jumped, but your habits didn’t change

A leak is running 24/7 somewhere

Warm spot on a tile or wood floor

Hot water line leaking under the slab

Sound of running water with every tap off

Pressurized pipe leaking in a wall or under the floor

Stains, bubbling paint or soft drywall

Leak inside the wall or ceiling above

Musty smell or mold in one area

Slow leak that’s been there a while

Weak water pressure in one spot

Water escaping before it reaches the faucet

Cracked tile or floor that suddenly feels uneven

Long-running slab leak; call soon

Try This 2-Minute Water Meter Test

You can do a basic water meter test before calling a plumber. The full test may take 10–15 minutes.

  • Turn off faucets, the washing machine, the dishwasher, and any sprinklers that use water.
  • Find your water meter. It is often in a box near the street.
  • Look for the small leak indicator or watch the meter reading.
  • Wait 10–15 minutes without using water. If the meter moves, water may be flowing somewhere in the system.
  • If you can safely identify and close your home’s main water shut-off valve, check the meter again. If it continues moving, the leak may be in the service line between the meter and the shut-off valve. If it stops, the leak may be inside the home or on a line supplied after that valve. 

Some homes have separate irrigation lines or other plumbing connections, so this test cannot identify every leak. If you’re unsure, let a plumber check the system.

Bonus toilet test: Put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. Don’t flush. If colored water appears in the bowl within about 10–15 minutes, the toilet may have a leaking flapper.

Why Should You Fix a Small Leak Right Away?

It’s easy to ignore a leak when you can’t see it. But even a small leak can waste water and damage your home over time. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reported that household leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water each year. The amount depends on the number and size of the leaks.

Water damage can also lead to:

  • Damaged drywall and ceilings
  • Rotting wood and damaged flooring
  • Mold and musty smells
  • Higher water bills
  • Damage to areas under concrete slabs

A slab leak can also affect the soil beneath your floor. The longer a leak continues, the more damage it may cause.

Finding the leak early can help reduce repair costs and prevent a small problem from becoming a larger one.

OR

How Do We Find Leaks Without Tearing Up Your Home?

We use different tools to narrow down the source of a leak before opening walls or floors. The right method depends on the type of pipe, the location, and the signs of damage.

Tool

What It Does

Best For

Pressure test

Checks whether a plumbing line can hold pressure

Finding possible leaks in water supply lines

Acoustic listening device

Picks up the sound of water escaping from a pressurized pipe

Slab leaks and underground water lines

Thermal camera

Shows temperature differences that may point to moisture or a hot-water leak

Certain leaks behind walls and under floors

Moisture meter

Measures moisture in materials such as drywall and wood

Checking how far water may have spread

Sewer camera

Looks inside drain and sewer pipes

Finding certain drain-line problems

No single tool finds every leak. We may use more than one test to confirm the location. We’ll explain our findings and share photos or readings when available. Our goal is to limit unnecessary cutting and focus the repair on the area that needs attention

What Kinds of Leaks Do We Find and Fix?

Slab Leaks

Most San Fernando Valley homes built in the 1950s and 60s sit on concrete slabs, with copper or galvanized water lines running underneath. After 60+ years, those pipes wear thin, and a slab leak is often the result. It’s the most common leak we’re called for near our Winnetka shop. 

Leaks Inside Walls and Ceilings

A brown stain on the ceiling or a soft spot in the drywall usually means a supply line, drain or shower valve is leaking inside the wall. Our thermal camera and moisture meter show us where it starts, so we open one small, neat access hole, fix the pipe and patch it.

Underground Water Line Leaks

If the meter test showed a leak outside the house, the problem is likely your main water line, the pipe from the street meter to your home. Signs include a soggy patch of lawn, a sunken spot in the yard, or water bubbling up near the driveway. We locate it with acoustic gear, dig only where needed, and repair or replace the line. 

Fixture, Toilet and Water Heater Leaks

Not every leak is hidden. Running toilets, dripping faucets, leaking shut-off valves and water heaters that drip from the bottom waste water too. These are usually quick, low-cost fixes we can handle on the same visit, including water heater repair.

Smell gas? Don’t wait for a plumber. Leave the house right away. Don’t turn lights or switches on or off, and don’t light anything. From outside, call 911 or SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200. Once the area is safe, Hi-Tech can find and repair the leaking gas line. See our gas line installation and repair service.

What Are Your Leak Repair Options?

Option

When it fits

Good to know

Spot repair

One leak, pipe otherwise in good shape

Fastest and cheapest fix

Reroute

Slab leak, or a pipe that’s hard to reach

Leaves your floor alone; new pipe runs through walls or attic

Partial or full repipe

Repeat leaks, old galvanized or worn copper

Stops the cycle of leak after leak

If your pipes keep leaking, a repipe often costs less than repair after repair. Our pipe repair and repiping page explains when that makes sense.

How Do We Help Stop the Next Leak?

Patching a leak without asking why it happened is how people end up calling a plumber again in six months. Two common causes in LA homes are easy to fix:

  • High water pressure. California plumbing code calls for a pressure regulator (PRV) when street pressure is over 80 psi. Higher pressure strains every pipe and fitting in your home. We test it on every leak call, and if it’s high, we can install or replace your PRV.
  • No thermal expansion tank. When your water heater warms water, the water expands. Without an expansion tank to absorb that extra pressure, it pushes on your pipes every day. A small tank next to the heater solves it.

Hard water can also wear pipes over time; a water softener helps if your area has very hard water.

What Happens When You Call Hi-Tech?

We confirm the leak with a meter check and pressure test.

We pinpoint it using the right tools for your home.

You see the proof and get one clear written price. Your $75 is credited toward it.

We repair it with quality materials and pull a permit if the job needs one.

We test again under pressure to make sure the leak is gone, then clean up.

We tell you how to prevent the next one, whether that's a PRV, an expansion tank or nothing at all.

How Much Does Leak Detection Cost in Los Angeles?

Service

Typical price

Time

Leak check visit (meter test, pressure test, visual)

$75, credited to your repair

30–60 min

Electronic leak location (acoustic + thermal), if needed

$250 – $600

1–3 hours

Simple leak repair (under sink, exposed pipe)

$250 – $650

1–2 hours

Leak inside a wall or ceiling, with patch

$600 – $2,000

Same day

Main water line leak in the yard

$500 – $1,800

Half day – 1 day

Slab leak spot repair

$1,500 – $4,000

1–2 days

Slab leak reroute (one line)

$2,000 – $5,000

1–2 days

Pressure regulator (PRV) install

$450 – $900

1–2 hours

Your price depends mainly on where the leak is and how easy it is to reach. A leak under tile costs more to access than one behind drywall, and a reroute costs more upfront but avoids opening your floor. You’ll always see the price before we start.

What Does a Typical Slab Leak Call Look Like?

Here’s how a common Valley call goes. A homeowner in a 1960s Reseda house notices the water bill has nearly doubled and the kitchen floor feels warm near the fridge. Our tech runs a pressure test and finds the hot water line losing pressure. The thermal camera shows a warm streak under the tile, and the acoustic mic finds the loudest hiss about four feet from the fridge.

The homeowner has two choices: open the tile for a spot repair, or reroute the hot line through the attic. Because the copper is original and more leaks are likely, they choose the reroute. It’s done in about a day, the floor is never touched, and the meter stops moving.

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Why Los Angeles Chooses Hi Tech Plumbing Services

Licensed, bonded and insured

your home and your repair or installation stay fully protected. (License CSLB #1073669)

Upfront, flat-rate pricing

you get your real price before we start, never a surprise after.

Same-day service available

you get most repairs and installs finished in one visit.

Full-service plumbing

beyond sinks, get faucet installation, garbage disposal service, drain cleaning, and leak detection from the same trusted team.

Leak testing included

we check your work properly before we call your job done.

Local to Los Angeles

we know your housing stock, your drain systems, and your common issues, because we work on them every week, all across the city.

Plumbing Repair Services In Los Angeles

We fix all types of plumbing problems—leaky faucets, clogged drains, broken pipes, water heaters, and more. If something’s not working right, we’ll get it fixed fast! We also offer a low diagnostic fee anywhere in Los Angeles.

Area We Serve

From Beverly Hills to the San Fernando Valley, Hi-Tech Plumbing Services Inc. delivers expert plumbing solutions with same-day service, licensed technicians, and 24/7 emergency response throughout LA County.

Frequently Asked Questions About Leak Detection & Repair

Have questions? We’ve got answers. Explore our most commonly asked questions to learn more about our services, process, and what to expect when you work with Hi-Tech Plumbing Services.

Our leak check is $75 and is credited toward your repair. If a hidden leak needs full electronic location, that usually runs 250–600. Most repairs fall between $250 and $2,000; slab leaks run 1,500–5,000.

Yes, if you suspect a hidden leak. Finding the exact spot means we open one small area instead of guessing, which saves money on repairs, patching and water damage.

Start with the water meter test above. If the meter moves with everything off, you have a leak. A plumber with acoustic and thermal tools can then pinpoint it without opening walls.

Many policies cover the water damage from a sudden leak but not the pipe repair itself or damage from slow, long-term leaks. Check your policy. We provide photos and a written report to help with your claim.

Often, yes. We can reroute the leaking line through the attic or walls so your slab and flooring stay untouched.

Most leaks are found in 1–3 hours. Simple repairs are done the same day; slab leaks and main line repairs usually take 1–2 days.

Small repairs usually don’t. Rerouting, repiping and main line replacement often need an LADBS permit, and we handle it for you.

Leave right away, don’t touch switches or flames, and call 911 or SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 from outside. Once it’s safe, we can repair the gas line.

Worried About a Leak? Let's Find It Today.

You don't have to guess, and you don't have to tear up your home. A licensed Hi-Tech plumber will find the leak, show you the proof, give you a clear price and fix it right.

Serving Los Angeles and surrounding areas, including Padre Ranchitos and Westlake.

Our Reviews

At Hi-Tech Plumbing, we always put our customers first. That’s why so many people in Los Angeles trust us with their plumbing needs. We’ve got great reviews on Google and Yelp because we show up on time, do the job right, and treat our customers with respect. Check out what real people are saying about working with us!

Dimitry Karponosov profile picture
Dimitry Karponosov
11 months ago
Hi-Tech Plumbing were doing several different jobs at my house and I was impressed with professionalism and strong work ethics of every single technician/Plummer who was on site. Most importantly, they are honest and won’t be overselling you unnecessary parts and/or jobs. Thank you, Hussein & Co!
Oybek Bahronov profile picture
Oybek Bahronov
1 year ago
Nice and quick service. Friendly guys. Recommend their services.
Danial Khan profile picture
Danial Khan
2 years ago
Hi-Tech Plumbing Services Inc. is outstanding! Sam was friendly, professional, and incredibly fast. He arrived shortly after the call, quickly diagnosed the issue, and had it fixed in no time. The quality of the work was top-notch, and the customer service was excellent. I highly recommend Hi-Tech Plumbing Services Inc. for any plumbing needs!
Chris S. profile picture
Chris S.
2 years ago
Lovely people and super thorough. Thanks!
Nicole Prizer profile picture
Nicole Prizer
2 years ago
Very professional and great customer service. I would recommend to others!
Hailey Phan profile picture
Hailey Phan
2 years ago
Very professional, prompt, and efficient. They fixed my issue quickly, explained everything clearly, and charged a fair price. Great customer service Highly recommend!
Rylan Vu profile picture
Rylan Vu
2 years ago
AWESOME SERVICE!!! They were very nice and I would recommend to use them for any services needed.
  • yelp stars 5  They came and did everything fast and were very friendly would highly highly recommend to anybody who needs plumbing done quick. They also made sure to clean up really good... read more

    thumb Dee L.
    2/03/2025

    yelp stars 5  Our waterless tank was non-functional and this company answered the phone call quickly, diagnosed the problem quickly, ordered parts and installed within days. We are back with hot water and... read more

    thumb Shawna W.
    4/10/2025

    yelp stars 5  Amazing experience! He came out same day and took the time to go to the store and get what was needed to make sure we had hot water. Very friendly... read more

    thumb Kristin S.
    2/25/2025
  • yelp stars 5  Thank you Sam!! You were the most cordial, effective and fast, such a relieve!!! He replaced a leaky valve and adjusted our water heater to get circulation everywhere!! Thank you!!!

    thumb Andy B.
    2/19/2025

    yelp stars 5  Credit where credit is due! They were set out by AHS home warranty and I usually dread who they send out - not these guys! They were professional, on-time and... read more

    thumb Delta B.
    1/27/2025

    yelp stars 5  We called Sam on a Saturday evening for an emergency kitchen sink clog. Even though it was dinner time, he showed up quickly and fixed the issue efficiently. He was... read more

    thumb Terri L.
    3/10/2025
  • yelp stars 5  I was assigned Hi Tech through my AHS home warranty for a water heater issue and was worried it would be a waste of time like most AHS claims are.... read more

    thumb Brent S.
    2/24/2025

    yelp stars 5  We had High Tech come out to fix a broken water shut off valve at our home. Sam showed up within the time frame he said he would and got... read more

    thumb JuanandMegan V.
    1/02/2025

    yelp stars 5  Quick and efficient! Unclogged our main line. We're very pleased with their services.

    thumb Melissa G.
    4/27/2025

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