Leak Detection in Laredo, TX: Hidden Leaks, Slab Leaks and Burst Pipes

Short answer: Turn off every tap and appliance that uses water, then look at your water meter. If it still shows water moving, you probably have a leak. Warm spots on the floor, the sound of running water and a bill that jumps for no reason can point to a leak under the slab. Detection runs about $280 nationally; repairing a slab leak averages about $2,280.

Texas requires a license for plumbing work. Look up any plumber in the state's public database before you hire.

Check a plumber's license

What to do right now

Water spraying or pouring? Shut off the water at your main shut-off valve. If you can't, Laredo Utilities can do an emergency shut-off at the meter; their water and sewer emergencies page lists the 24-hour line.
Keep away from wet outlets and cords.
Take photos of the damage for your insurance before cleaning up.

For a burst pipe, see what to do when a pipe bursts.

Check for a leak at your meter

With all water off, a moving hand or a flow above zero means water is going somewhere (Laredo Utilities).

Laredo Utilities explains how to read the meter, which sits in a box near the curb or sidewalk with a metal lid marked "Water Meter" or "City of Laredo Water Meter":

Turn off all water in and around the house: taps, toilets, sprinklers, washer and ice maker.
Look at the meter. On a dial meter, watch the large hand. On a digital meter, shine a light on the display to wake it up and look at the flow rate.
If the hand moves or the flow is above zero, you likely have a leak.
For slow leaks, write down the reading, wait 20 minutes without using water and read it again. Any difference means water is going somewhere.

The EPA suggests a longer version: wait two hours without using water. It also suggests a toilet test: put a few drops of food coloring in the tank, and if color shows up in the bowl within 10 minutes, the toilet is leaking. Flush right after so it doesn't stain.

Signs of a slab leak

If your house sits on a concrete slab, some water lines may run under it. When one of those lines leaks, you may notice:

Warm spots on the floor, often along a hot-water line
The sound of running water when nothing is on
A water bill that rises with no change in use
Low water pressure throughout the house
Cracks in lower walls or baseboards
Damp carpet or a musty smell near a wall

How plumbers find and fix leaks

Narrow it down with the meter and by shutting off parts of the system.
Locate the leak with test equipment, such as a camera inside the line, so they open as little as possible.
Repair it. For a slab leak, the options include opening the concrete to fix that spot, lining the pipe from inside, or rerouting the line through the walls or attic and leaving the slab alone.
Give you a written estimate for each option before any concrete is opened.

What leak detection and repair cost

National figures from HomeAdvisor: finding a leak runs about $280 (most between $150 and $400). Repairing a slab leak averages $2,280, with most jobs between $630 and $4,400, depending on how the leak is reached and fixed. Prices in Laredo can be different; the plumber confirms the price before starting.

Why a small leak is worth fixing

The EPA estimates that leaks in an average household can waste more than 9,300 gallons a year, and that about 9% of homes have leaks wasting 50 gallons or more a day. A leak under a slab can also damage floors and walls before you see it.

Before you hire

Check the license in the state's public search.
Ask how they'll locate the leak and what that costs on its own.
Ask for the repair options in writing, with the price of each. Texas rules require proposals and invoices to show the Responsible Master Plumber's name and license number.
Ask whether the job needs a city permit. The plumber will tell you.

Leak detection FAQ

How do I know if I have a leak under my slab?

Start with the meter test above. If water is moving with everything off and you can't find a drip, and you also notice warm spots, running-water sounds or cracks, a slab leak is a real possibility. A plumber can confirm it.

Does my water bill tell me I have a leak?

A bill that jumps without a change in how you use water is one of the most common signs. The meter test tells you for sure.

Do slab leaks always mean breaking the floor?

No. Depending on the leak, a plumber may reroute the line through walls or the attic, or line the pipe from inside. Ask for the options and prices in writing.

Who fixes a leak at the meter?

If the leak is at the meter box, Laredo Utilities lists meter leaks among the problems to report on its emergency line. If you're not sure whether a leak is the city's or yours to fix, ask Laredo Utilities or your plumber.

Before you hire, check the license