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Hidden leaks and high water bills

Water Leak Detection Services in San Antonio

Your water bill jumped, the meter will not stop moving, or something is damp and you cannot see where it is coming from. Call (210) 898-9754 or text us.

📝 Written estimate before work
✅ Your approval before we start
🪪 Verify any plumber at tsbpe.texas.gov
📍 1011 Ada St, San Antonio
The short answer

Stark Plumbing Solutions locates hidden water leaks in San Antonio homes, including leaks behind walls, under floors and in underground supply lines, using meter checks, pressure testing and electronic detection. The goal is to open as little as possible and repair the right spot.

What are you noticing?

Signs of Hidden Plumbing Leaks

  • A water bill that jumps with no change in use.
  • A water meter that moves when everything is off.
  • Warm or wet spots on floors.
  • Stains, bubbling paint or musty smells on walls and ceilings.
  • The faint sound of running water when nothing is on.
  • Lower pressure than usual.
  • Wet, soft or unusually green ground outside.

Water Leak Detection Methods

Different leaks need different tools. We start with the simplest tests and use the more advanced tools when needed.

How leaks are found
MethodWhat it does
Meter checkConfirms whether water is leaking at all
Isolation testingShuts off sections of the system to narrow where the leak is
Pressure testingShows whether a line holds pressure
Acoustic detectionListens for the sound of escaping water through pipe and soil
Thermal imagingSpots temperature differences from leaking hot water or damp areas
Electronic correlationPinpoints a leak along a buried line

Not sure which of these matches your problem? Describe it and we will point you to the right fix.

☎ Call (210) 898-9754

Underground Water Supply Leaks

The line from the meter to the house is buried and can leak without any sign for a long time. Clues are a moving meter, low pressure, wet or sunken ground, and a jump in the water bill.

Once we locate it, a spot repair or a section replacement can follow. See Water Line Repair & Replacement for repair options.

Leaks Behind Walls and Ceilings

A leak inside a wall or ceiling can soak insulation and framing for weeks before a stain shows. Locating it accurately means you open a small access point instead of cutting away large areas of drywall.

We also tell you if the damage needs attention beyond the plumbing, such as wet insulation or mold risk.

Slab Leak Detection

A leak under a concrete slab is hard to find without the right tools. Warm floor spots, a high bill and the sound of running water are common signs.

We locate it electronically, then discuss repair options. See Slab Leak Repair.

Diagnosing Unexplained Water Use

Not every high bill is a pipe leak. Running toilets, irrigation systems and appliance connections are common culprits, and one Reddit thread tells of a continuous-use alert that turned out to be irrigation, not plumbing. We check the easy causes first so you do not pay for a search you did not need.

Do the meter test: turn off every faucet and appliance that uses water. Look at your meter. If the low-flow indicator or the dial is moving, water is escaping. If it is not moving, the leak may only occur when something is in use, such as a toilet, irrigation or a water heater.

What Does Leak Detection Cost in San Antonio?

Pricing for leak detection varies with the method and how hard the leak is to find. Some providers charge a flat diagnostic fee, others combine detection with repair. Ask what is included and whether the fee applies to the repair if you proceed. We tell you in writing before we start.

What moves the price

  • How much of the system must be tested: one fixture, a line or the whole house.
  • Whether the leak is indoors, in a wall, under a slab or underground.
  • Which tools are needed: meter check, acoustic or thermal.
  • Whether repair is included or quoted separately.

How to avoid overpaying

  • Ask whether a detection fee is credited toward the repair if you proceed with the same company.
  • Ask for the price in writing before work starts, with labor, parts and any trip or diagnostic fee listed separately.
  • Ask the plumber to explain the cause in plain words. If you get a vague answer, get a second opinion.
  • Compare what is included, not just the headline price. A cheap special that grows into a long add-on list is not cheap.
  • Never let scope change on the fly. If something new is found, work should stop until you approve it.
  • Ask what happens if the problem comes back, and make sure anything promised is on the estimate.

What Happens When You Call Stark

  1. Call or textTell us what you see or hear. A photo helps. We will tell you what we think is going on and what the next step is.
  2. Diagnose firstWe start with the meter and isolation tests, then use electronic tools to pinpoint the leak and explain your options.
  3. Written estimate, your approvalYou get labor, parts and any trip or diagnostic fee in writing. We wait for your go-ahead, and we stop and talk to you first if the scope changes.
  4. Fix, test, clean upWe complete the work, test it, and explain what we did and what to watch for.

What to do right now if you suspect a hidden leak

  1. Turn off every faucet, appliance and irrigation zone.
  2. Check your meter. Note whether the leak indicator or dial is moving.
  3. Check toilets for a running or leaking flapper by adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank.
  4. If the meter keeps moving, shut off the main valve to stop damage while you wait.
  5. Take photos of stains, wet spots and the meter reading, then call us.
Water spraying or flooding? Shut off the main valve first, then call right away.

Why San Antonio Homeowners Can Trust the Process

Most people tell us the hard part is not the repair. It is knowing whether the price is fair. Here is how we handle it, and you can hold any plumber to the same standard.

Price in writing

Labor, parts and any trip or diagnostic fee are listed before work starts.

You approve first

We wait for your go-ahead. If scope changes, we stop and talk to you.

Cause explained

We tell you what we found and what your options are, without pressure.

Check the license

Look up any Texas plumber at tsbpe.texas.gov and ask for proof of insurance.

Local address

1011 Ada St, San Antonio, TX 78223. A real shop you can find.

Water Leak Detection Near You

We serve homes and businesses across San Antonio and nearby neighborhoods. Pick your area for local details.

San Antonio · Stone Oak · Alamo Ranch · Medical Center · Southtown · All Service Areas →

Stark Plumbing Solutions
1011 Ada St, San Antonio, TX 78223
(210) 898-9754

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Water Leak Detection FAQs

How can I tell if I have a hidden water leak?

Common signs are an unexplained jump in the water bill, a meter that moves when everything is off, warm or wet floor spots, stains or musty smells on walls, the sound of running water, and lower pressure. A meter check is the quickest test.

Can plumbers locate leaks without opening every wall?

Yes. Meter checks, pressure and isolation tests, acoustic detection, thermal imaging and electronic correlation can narrow a leak to a small area, so access is limited to the spot that needs it.

Why is my water meter moving when fixtures are off?

Water is moving somewhere between the meter and your fixtures. Common causes are a leaking toilet, a leak in the line from the meter to the house, a leak inside a wall, or a leak under the slab. A leak detection visit finds which one.

What if I think my leak is outside?

Check for wet or soft ground, a drop in pressure and a moving meter. Irrigation systems are a common source. If irrigation is off and the meter still moves, a buried line may be leaking.

Will I know the price before work starts?

Yes. You get a written estimate listing labor, parts and any trip or diagnostic fee, and we wait for your approval. If we find something that changes the scope, we stop and talk to you first.

Ready When You Are

Call or text with a short description and a photo if you can. We will tell you what we think is going on, what it involves and what the next step is.