Finding hidden leaks before cutting walls

A ceiling stain marks where water finished its trip, not where it set out. Water runs along joists, pipes and drywall before it surfaces, so tracking the source takes measurements, not hunches.

Leak traced before a wall is opened

Cut-outs kept as small as the job allows

Copper, PEX or ABS matched to what is there

Pressure test on every new joint

Is there a leak at all

First stop is the meter in the basement. Once every tap, toilet and appliance is shut, the little red or black dial on its face ought to sit dead still. If it turns, water is going somewhere. Then we close valves one at a time to pin it to hot, cold or one particular branch.
That quick check reveals whether we are hunting a pressurised supply leak, which runs constantly, or on the drain side, which only leaks when a fixture is used. Those two problems are found in very different ways.

Tracing it

A moisture meter, pin and pinless, maps the damp in drywall and subfloor. Thermal imaging picks out cool patches where evaporating water lowers the surface temperature, and warm patches if the leak is on a hot line. Together they usually narrow the source to a small area before any cut is made.
For drain leaks, we run water through one fixture at a time while watching the ceiling below. A shower pan leak only shows when the shower runs, while a drain joint leaks when the tub drains.

Signs you need this

A water bill that jumped for no reason
A meter that moves with everything turned off
A stain spreading on a ceiling or wall
Warm patches on a basement slab floor
A musty smell in one room

Opening up

When we cut, we cut a neat, square opening at the source, sized for the repair and for easy patching later. Pipes are repaired with the right material for the existing system. Then the area is left open to dry if needed, and we tell you when it is safe to close.
If the leak caused real damage, take photos before anything is cleaned up and call your insurer. Our job book entry can document the source and the repair.

How the job runs

1
A meter test confirms whether water is being lost.
2
Valves are isolated to narrow the leak to a branch.
3
Moisture meters and thermal imaging pinpoint the source.
4
A small, neat opening is made and the pipe is repaired.

Richmond Hill note: most houses here sit on York Region municipal water with fairly hard supply, and many basements have a floor drain tied to the sanitary lateral. Mention both on the phone; it changes what goes on the truck.

We would rather spend twenty minutes measuring than two hours cutting the wrong wall.

Want a second opinion on your own pipes first? Dial (365) 363-1575; the person answering holds the wrench.