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Leak detection
Leaks inside walls, ceilings, floors and slabs found with as little opening as possible, then repaired properly so the damage stops spreading.
Finding the source
A hidden leak can run for weeks before you see a stain, and by then the water may have traveled far from where it started. Cutting into drywall to look around is slow and messy. We narrow the source down first, using pressure testing, listening equipment and careful checks of every likely line.
Once the leak is pinpointed, we open only what is needed to reach it and repair the pipe or fitting properly. If the damage points to a bigger issue, like old pipe failing in several places, we tell you and explain the options.
Signs of a hidden leak
You rarely see the leak itself, so watch for its effects.
A higher bill without more use is often the first clue. Water running constantly somewhere adds up fast.
Brown rings on ceilings, bubbling paint or a floor that feels soft can mark water spreading from a pipe above or below.
A damp odor in a closet, cabinet or basement corner often means moisture is building up behind a surface.
If the water meter keeps turning when everything is off, there is a leak somewhere on your side of it.
Leak detection steps
We check the meter and test the system to confirm water is escaping and whether it is on hot, cold or drain lines.
Isolating sections and using listening and moisture tools narrows the search to a specific wall, floor or fixture.
We make a small, clean opening at the source instead of cutting large sections to search.
The pipe or fitting is repaired, the system is retested to confirm it holds, and you see the result.
Why Empire
The longer a leak runs, the more it costs. We focus on finding the real source quickly and opening as little of your home as possible. Then our licensed plumbers make a proper repair, test it and tell you plainly if there is anything else you should watch.
Pinpointing the leak first means smaller patches for your drywall or flooring contractor to repair afterwards.
In many cases we can fix the leak once it is found, so you are not waiting for another trip.
If your pipes are failing in more than one spot, we tell you so you can plan, not just patch.
You approve the cost of detection and repair before we start, so there are no surprises later.
Questions
Do not see your question? Call (443) 630-9804 during office hours and talk to a licensed plumber.
Turn off every faucet and water-using appliance, then look at the water meter. If the dial or leak indicator keeps moving, water is going somewhere. Also check toilets by adding food coloring to the tank. If color shows in the bowl without flushing, the flapper is leaking.
Usually only a small opening at the leak itself. We do the locating first so we are not cutting around to search. Some leaks are reachable from a basement, crawl space or access panel without opening a finished wall at all.
A slab leak is a leak in a water line running under a concrete floor. It can show up as warm spots on the floor, the sound of running water or a higher bill. We locate it, then explain options, which can include repairing under the slab or rerouting the line.
Our work is the plumbing. We make clean openings to reach the pipe and repair it properly. We can advise on the size of patch needed so your drywall or flooring contractor knows what to expect.
Yes, especially if it is inside a wall or ceiling. Small leaks rarely stay small, and water damage and mold cost far more than an early repair. A dripping faucet you can see is less urgent, but still worth fixing to save water.
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Service line leaks, low pressure and aging pipe fixed or replaced, from the meter to the house.
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Day-to-day plumbing repairs and upgrades for homes, from a dripping faucet to a full repipe.
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Fixture repairs and replacements done neatly, with the right parts and no leaks left behind.
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Request an estimate
Call (443) 630-9804 and tell us what you are seeing. We will explain how we will find it and the price first.
