Leak Detection and Leak Repair in Marietta, GA
Leak detection and leak repair in Marietta, GA is the process of locating hidden water leaks with non-invasive tools and repairing the damaged pipe with the smallest possible opening. Plumber Marietta GA finds leaks in walls, ceilings, slabs, crawl spaces and yard lines across Marietta and Cobb County. Call (770) 230-0611.
Leak detection is part of our licensed plumbing service for Marietta homes. Our plumbers locate the leak first, then open only the spot that needs repair.
What Are the Signs of a Hidden Water Leak?
A hidden water leak shows up as a higher water bill, a moving water meter, stains, musty odors, warm floor spots or running water sounds. These 8 signs point to a leak inside walls, floors or the yard:
- The water bill rises with no change in water use.
- The water meter moves while every fixture is off.
- Stains or bubbling paint appear on walls or ceilings.
- A musty odor or mold growth appears in one area.
- A floor spot feels warm, a sign of a hot water line leak under the slab.
- Running water sounds play when nothing is on.
- Water pressure drops at 2 or more fixtures.
- A strip of lawn stays soggy or unusually green.
A sudden spray or flood is an emergency. Shut off the main water valve and call our emergency plumbers in Marietta.
How Much Water Does a Hidden Leak Waste?
The EPA WaterSense program estimates that household leaks waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water per year in the average home. The EPA adds 3 more facts:
- 10% of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.
- A faucet dripping once per second wastes more than 3,000 gallons per year.
- Fixing easily corrected household leaks saves homeowners about 10% on their water bills.
Leaks also damage framing, flooring and drywall, and moisture supports mold growth. Early detection limits both water loss and repair scope.
How Do You Check for a Water Leak Yourself?
Check for a leak with 2 simple tests: the water meter test and the toilet dye test. Both tests take less than 1 hour.
Water Meter Test
The water meter test confirms a leak when the meter moves while all water use is off.
- Turn off every faucet, appliance and irrigation zone.
- Read the water meter and note the number, or watch the small leak indicator dial.
- Wait 1 to 2 hours without using any water.
- Read the meter again. A higher number or a turning indicator confirms a leak.
Toilet Dye Test
The toilet dye test finds a leaking flapper by showing tank water flowing into the bowl. The EPA recommends this test.
- Put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank.
- Wait 10 minutes without flushing.
- Color in the bowl means the flapper leaks. Flush afterward to clear the dye.
Our guide How to Find a Hidden Water Leak adds 5 more home checks.
How Do Plumbers Find Hidden Leaks?
Plumbers find hidden leaks with 5 non-invasive methods: pressure testing, acoustic listening, thermal imaging, tracer gas and line locating. Plumbers combine methods to confirm the exact spot before opening a wall or floor.
| Method | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure test | Isolates each line and watches for pressure loss | Confirming a leak and the line it is on |
| Acoustic listening | Amplifies the sound of water escaping a pressurized pipe | Leaks under slabs and in walls |
| Thermal imaging | Infrared camera shows temperature differences | Hot water line leaks under floors |
| Tracer gas | Safe gas pushed through the line escapes at the leak | Quiet leaks and yard lines |
| Line locating | Electronic locator maps the pipe route | Tracing buried lines before digging |
The plumber marks the leak point and explains the repair before cutting any surface.
How Are Water Leaks Repaired?
Water leaks are repaired by replacing the damaged pipe section, repairing the joint, rerouting the line, or repiping the home when leaks repeat. The repair depends on pipe material, location and age.
- Section repair: The plumber cuts out the damaged piece and installs new pipe. This fixes most single leaks.
- Joint or fitting repair: The plumber replaces a leaking valve, coupling or connector.
- Reroute: The plumber abandons a leaking line under a slab and runs a new line through walls or the attic.
- Repiping: The plumber replaces the home’s supply lines when leaks repeat in old or failing pipe.
Repeated leaks in polybutylene or corroded galvanized pipe point to repiping and polybutylene pipe replacement in Marietta.
What Is a Slab Leak?
A slab leak is a leak in a water line that runs under a home’s concrete foundation slab. Slab leaks show up as warm floor spots, cracked flooring, damp carpet and a moving water meter. Plumbers repair slab leaks by opening the slab at the leak point or by rerouting the line above the slab.
Who Repairs a Leak at the Water Meter?
The water utility repairs leaks at the meter and on its side of the meter; a plumber repairs leaks on the home side. Marietta homes use Marietta Power & Water inside city limits or Cobb County Water System in unincorporated Cobb County.
| Leak location | Who to call |
|---|---|
| Street, meter box or utility side of the meter | Your water utility |
| Service line between the meter and the house | A licensed plumber |
| Pipes inside walls, floors, ceilings and crawl spaces | A licensed plumber |
Our guide Marietta Power and Water vs Cobb County Water: Who to Call for a Leak lists each utility’s service area and phone number.
Leak Guides for Marietta Homeowners
Winter leaks often start as frozen pipes. Read about frozen pipe repair in Marietta. Weak flow at 2 or more fixtures has its own causes, covered in Low Water Pressure Causes and Fixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a leak under my slab?
A slab leak shows up as a warm floor spot, cracked tile, damp carpet, a moving water meter, or running water sounds under the floor.
Can you find a leak without tearing up walls?
Yes. Plumbers use acoustic listening, thermal imaging and tracer gas to find the exact leak point before opening the smallest possible area.
How much water does a dripping faucet waste?
A faucet dripping once per second wastes more than 3,000 gallons of water per year, according to the EPA WaterSense program.
Does homeowners insurance cover hidden leaks?
Coverage depends on the policy and the cause of the leak. Call your insurer, and keep the plumber’s written report and photos for the claim.
Who fixes a leak at the water meter in Marietta?
Your water utility fixes leaks at the meter and on the street side. Call Marietta Power & Water at 770-794-5150 or Cobb County Water System at 770-423-1000, depending on your address.
Book Leak Detection in Marietta, GA
High water bill or a stain that keeps growing? Call (770) 230-0611. Plumber Marietta GA finds and repairs hidden leaks across Marietta, East Cobb, Kennesaw, Smyrna, Roswell, Acworth and Vinings.