Hidden water means damage is already happening
When a pipe leaks inside a wall, under a floor or in the yard, the water has to go somewhere. It soaks drywall, rots framing and feeds mold long before anything shows on the surface. The earlier we find it, the smaller the repair.
If you hear water running when nothing is on, see a stain spreading or smell damp, shut off the water at the main and call. If the meter keeps moving with the water off, the leak is real.
Signs there may be a hidden leak
- The water bill jumps and your habits have not changed
- The meter dial or low-flow indicator moves with every fixture off
- Warm spots on a floor, which can point to a hot water line
- Musty smell, peeling paint, bubbling drywall or a stain that grows
- The sound of running or hissing water in a quiet house
- Low pressure at one or more fixtures
How we find a leak without tearing things open
- 1
Confirm there is a leak
We shut off fixtures and read the meter. If it moves, the supply line is losing water.
- 2
Narrow the zone
Isolating sections of pipe with valves shows which part of the system is leaking.
- 3
Pinpoint it
Thermal imaging, moisture meters and acoustic listening locate the leak behind the surface.
- 4
Explain and plan
You see where the leak is and what it will take to reach and fix it.
Meter running with everything off?
Call and we will tell you how to confirm the leak and what to do while you wait.
Where leaks hide and how we look
| Where | Common cause | How we find it |
|---|---|---|
| Inside walls | Failed joints or corroded pipe | Thermal camera and moisture readings |
| Under a slab | Pipe wear or movement | Acoustic listening and pressure tests |
| In the yard | Damaged service line | Meter test, then listening along the line |
| Behind fixtures | Supply lines, valves, drains | Visual and moisture checks |
A leak on the buried line between the meter and the house is covered on our water service line repair page.
What affects the price of leak detection
You get a clear price before work starts.
Reading your water bill in Bothell
The City of Bothell water page says it serves about 8,500 households and businesses, and four water districts serve other parts of Bothell. Check who serves your address before you call about a bill.
If you suspect a leak, the City of Bothell Utility Billing office handles leak and excess-use reports for city accounts. The City FAQ states that homeowners are responsible for repairs beyond the water meter, including the service line to the home. That is the part we can trace and fix.
Leak repairs follow the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as adopted in Washington under WAC 51-56 once the source is found.
Leak detection questions
Yes. We answer 24 hours a day, every day. If water is actively spraying, shut off the main and call (425) 845-0257. For a slow hidden leak, tell us when you call so we can plan.
Not usually to find it. Thermal imaging and moisture meters show where the water is. Opening the wall is needed only to repair the pipe.
Turn off all water and look at the meter. If the dial or small triangle is still moving, water is leaking somewhere after the meter.
No. Irrigation, a running toilet or a new appliance can raise a bill. A meter test separates normal use from loss. A running toilet is a common culprit, see toilet repair.
Sometimes the pipe can be rerouted. Other times the slab must be opened. We explain the options after we locate the leak.
Some policies cover the cost of finding a covered leak. Check your policy. We can provide a written report of what we found.