A hidden leak wastes water, drives up your bill, and quietly rots framing and subfloor long before you see a stain. The hard part is finding it without tearing open walls at random. We use acoustic listening, thermal imaging, moisture meters, and pressure testing to pinpoint the source first, then open only what we have to.
Bloomfield Hills' older estates are especially prone to slab and behind-wall leaks where original supply lines have aged. Catching clean-water leaks early matters: the EPA notes a 24–48 hour window before trapped moisture creates a mold risk, so fast, accurate location is not just about the water bill — it protects your home.
What kind of leak do you have? How we find each one
The hard part of a hidden leak is finding it without opening walls at random. We match the detection method to the type of leak, pinpoint the source, and open only what we have to.
Hidden supply leak
A pinhole or fitting leak on a pressurized line. We confirm it with a meter and pressure test, then use acoustic listening to pinpoint the spot.
Best for: Meter moving, a high bill, or damp spots
Slab or in-wall leak
A leak beneath the slab or behind finished walls. Thermal imaging and acoustic sensors locate it so we open the smallest possible access point.
Best for: Warm floor spots, stains, or a faint hiss
Fixture or drain leak
A leak at a fixture, valve, or drain connection. We isolate supply from drain side and inspect to confirm the source before any repair.
Best for: Localized damp under or around a fixture
How we find it without demolition
- Confirm a leak exists with a meter reading and a pressure test
- Isolate whether it is supply-side, drain-side, or a fixture
- Pinpoint the source with acoustic listening and thermal imaging
- Open the smallest access needed and repair or reroute the line
- Verify the fix holds under pressure before we close up
- Document the source, moisture readings, and repair for your insurance file
When to call us for leak detection
A water bill that jumped
An unexplained spike often means a running toilet, an irrigation leak, or a hidden supply-line leak we can locate.
Damp spots, stains, or musty smell
Discoloration on ceilings or walls, warm spots on the floor, or a musty odor point to concealed moisture.
The meter moves with everything off
If the water meter creeps while no fixtures run, you have an active leak somewhere on the system.
Low pressure or hissing
A pressure drop or a faint hiss behind a wall can mark a pinhole or slab leak worth finding fast.
What's included in our leak detection
Every leak detection job is a complete, documented service — not a quick patch. Here's what you can expect when our licensed team is on site.
- A meter reading and pressure test to confirm and isolate the leak
- Acoustic listening and thermal imaging to pinpoint the source
- The smallest possible access opening — no exploratory demolition
- Repair or reroute of the failed line, verified under pressure
- Moisture readings and photos documented for your insurance file
- A check of related fixtures and lines while we’re on site
Our process
- 1
Confirm and isolate
We verify a leak exists with a meter and pressure test, then isolate whether it is supply, fixture, or drain side.
- 2
Non-destructive location
Acoustic sensors, thermal imaging, and moisture mapping pinpoint the source before we open anything.
- 3
Access & repair
We open the smallest area needed, repair or reroute the failed line, and verify the fix holds under pressure.
- 4
Document for insurance
We photograph the source, moisture readings, and repair so you have a clean record if you file a claim.
What affects the price
We never post fake prices. Here's what actually drives the cost — and we put the real number in writing before any work begins.
- Whether the leak is supply-side, drain-side, or a fixture.
- Location — an exposed basement line vs. a slab or in-wall leak.
- Detection method required (acoustic, thermal, pressure isolation).
- The repair itself: a fitting, a section of pipe, or a reroute.
- Any moisture documentation for an insurance file.
Why Bloomfield Hills homeowners choose Bloomfield Hills Plumbing for leak detection
We've served Bloomfield Hills and Oakland County for over 17 years, hold a 4.9-star rating across 138 reviews, and back every job with a licensed Michigan master plumber. Here's what that means for your leak detection.
We locate before we open
Acoustic, thermal, and pressure tools pinpoint the leak first, so we open the smallest area needed instead of guessing behind drywall.
Estate and slab experience
Bloomfield Hills’ older estates hide slab and in-wall leaks. We find them without tearing into finished spaces and original woodwork.
Documentation for your claim
We record the source, moisture readings, and repair, giving your insurer a clean, organized file — the carrier still decides, but you’re prepared.
Fast, because mold doesn’t wait
Clean water can start mold in 24–48 hours. We respond quickly and correct the source, not just the visible water.
Leak Detection & Repair FAQs
We use non-destructive tools first — acoustic listening devices, thermal cameras, moisture meters, and pressure isolation — to pinpoint the source. Only then do we open the smallest possible access point to make the repair. This is far cheaper than exploratory demolition.
Yes. We photograph the source, record moisture readings, and provide a written scope of the repair and affected areas. The carrier decides coverage, but complete documentation gives your claim the best footing. Keep your invoices and any receipts.
More urgent than most people think. Clean water trapped in framing can begin growing mold within 24–48 hours per EPA guidance, and a slow leak can rot a subfloor over months. Fast, accurate detection limits both the damage and the cost.
Watch for a water bill that jumped, the meter moving with everything off, damp spots or stains, a musty smell in one area, warm spots on the floor, low pressure, or a faint hissing behind a wall. Any one of these is worth a meter test and a call.
Yes. A slow leak can rot framing and subfloor over months, and clean water trapped in materials can start mold within 24–48 hours. Finding and fixing it early is far cheaper than the water bill plus the structural repair later.