Slab Leak Detection ProsSlab Leak Detection in Richardson, TX
If your Richardson water bill has jumped or a floor feels warm, a pipe under your slab may be leaking. Licensed plumbers serving Dallas and Collin Counties use pressure tests, acoustic listening and thermal imaging to pinpoint the leak before any concrete is opened, saving your floors and money.
- Acoustic listening
- Thermal imaging
- Tracer gas
- Pressure & hydrostatic tests
- Camera inspection
Why slab leaks happen in Richardson
Collin and Denton County sit on Blackland Prairie clay, among the most expansive soils in Texas. As it swells and shrinks, pipes under the slab bend, rub against concrete and pull at their fittings.
Many Richardson ranch homes date from the 1950s–70s and still have original cast-iron drains and copper supply lines.
Serving homes across Richardson, including neighborhoods near UT Dallas, Telecom Corridor, Canyon Creek.
Does a brand-new home in Richardson need slab leak detection?
Not routinely, but new homes do leak, usually at a fitting or from a pipe nicked during construction. If you see a warm spot or a high bill, test right away and tell your builder while the warranty applies.
How we find a slab leak without tearing up your floor
The same nine steps on every job, so you know what’s happening and why. Read the full process →
Listen and look first
The plumber hears what you've noticed and walks the home to look for clues.
Rule out the easy causes
Toilets, faucets, irrigation, the water heater and the AC drain are checked so you don't pay to search for the wrong leak.
Confirm the leak with the meter and a pressure test
A meter test and a pressure test prove water is escaping from the plumbing.
Isolate the leaking line
Hot, cold and branch lines are separated so the search focuses on the one that's leaking.
Test the drains, if needed
Drain leaks don't show on the meter, so they get their own hydrostatic test and camera check.
Trace the pipe's route
An electronic locator maps where the leaking line actually runs under the floor.
Pinpoint the exact spot
Acoustic listening, thermal imaging and tracer gas find where the water is escaping, and two methods must agree.
Scan the slab and mark the leak
The slab is checked for steel tendons and rebar, and the leak is marked on the floor.
Get your written report
You receive the leak's location, the line, the readings and photos in writing.
Signs of a slab leak in your Richardson home
- Water bill jumped with no change in use
- Meter keeps moving with everything off
- Warm spot on tile, wood or carpet
- Running-water sound when nothing is on
- Water heater runs constantly
- Damp carpet, cupped wood, musty smell
- Sewer smell or slow drains
- New cracks or sticking doors
I hear running water in my Richardson home, but nothing is on. What does that mean?
A faint hiss or trickle with every fixture off usually means a pressurized line is leaking somewhere, sometimes under the slab. Do a meter test to confirm, then have the line isolated and pinpointed.
What our slab leak detection covers in Richardson
We do one thing: find leaks under concrete slabs. Every visit is done by an independent, licensed Texas plumber who specializes in leak detection, so you pay to find the leak, not to break concrete searching for it.
Water Line Leaks
Find leaks in the pressurized supply lines buried in or under your slab.
Hot-Water Line Leaks
Thermal imaging traces warm spots and leaking hot-water runs.
Drain Line Leaks
Hydrostatic and isolation tests find drain leaks that never show on your meter.
Pressure Testing
Confirm a leak exists and measure how fast the line loses pressure.
Line Isolation & Tracing
Separate hot, cold and branch lines and map where they really run.
Acoustic Pinpointing
Ground microphones hear escaping water through the concrete.
Tracer Gas Detection
For very quiet leaks and plastic pipe, gas rises at the leak point.
Written Leak Report
Exact location, readings and photos for your insurer or water utility.
Find the leak first. Don’t pay anyone to search.
Most of the cost of a slab leak comes from searching for it and repairing the floor afterward. Slab leak detection is all we do, so you get an exact location before anyone touches your floor.
Licensed Texas plumbers
All work is done by independent plumbers licensed in Texas who will show their license number on request.
Typical prices up front
Know the usual range before anyone arrives, and get a written quote before work starts.
Documentation you can use
Photos, readings and a written summary for your insurer or your water utility’s leak credit.
Slab leak specialist vs. general plumbing contractor
Many general plumbers do excellent work. The difference is focus and equipment when the leak is hidden under concrete.
| What matters | Slab leak detection specialist (our network) | Typical general plumbing contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Only finding hidden leaks under slabs | Installs, repairs and remodels across all plumbing |
| Detection tools | Acoustic ground mics, thermal imaging, tracer gas, line tracing | Varies; often a pressure test and visual inspection |
| Locating the leak | Pinpointed before any concrete is opened | May open the floor in more than one place to search |
| Drain leaks under slab | Hydrostatic, isolation test and camera find the broken section | May recommend replacing the whole drain system |
| After the leak is found | Exact spot marked and documented; you choose who fixes it | Often moves straight into its own repair or repipe |
| Paperwork | Written report with photos for insurance and water credits | Usually an invoice only |
| Typical cost to locate | $150–$600 in most Richardson homes | Varies; exploratory openings add cost |
Tip: whoever you call, ask which detection methods they use and whether they’ll pinpoint the leak before opening the slab.
Water coming up through the floor in Richardson?
Shut off the main water valve and call now. We’ll connect you with a licensed slab leak specialist.
What slab leak detection usually costs
Published national and Texas ranges. You get the price before the visit.
Slab Leak Detection
- Meter & pressure testing
- Hot/cold line isolation
- Acoustic & thermal pinpointing
- Leak marked on the floor
- Written report with photos
What raises the price
- Larger homes with more lines
- More than one leak
- Very quiet leaks needing tracer gas
- Drain testing (a hydrostatic test is typically about $250)
- After-hours visits
What it doesn’t include
- Breaking or patching concrete
- Pipe repair or rerouting
- Foundation work
- Mold cleanup
We only do detection. You get the exact location and choose who does any repair.
Sources: This Old House, Angi/HomeAdvisor via Bob Vila.
Will I still pay for detection if no leak is found?
Usually yes, because detection is a diagnostic service. If no slab leak is found, you still learn where the water isn't going, which rules out costly guesses. Ask about the fee before the visit.
Insurance and slab leaks in Texas
Coverage depends on your policy and the cause. The Texas Department of Insurance has long said the standard HO-B policy covers damage to the dwelling, including the foundation, from an accidental discharge of water from a plumbing system. Many policies still exclude wear and tear, the pipe itself, and mold.
What helps your claim: shut off the water, protect your belongings, and get the leak documented by a licensed plumber before the adjuster visits.
Ask for a leak credit
Many Texas cities and MUDs credit part of the water lost to a hidden leak once it’s repaired. Most want a paid plumber’s invoice and a request within a set number of days, and allow one credit a year.
Keep your invoice, and call your utility soon after the repair to ask about its rules and deadline.
Questions about slab leaks in Richardson?
Still not sure if you have a slab leak? Call and describe what you’re seeing. A licensed plumber will tell you whether it’s worth a visit.
Call (000) 000-0000My 1960s Richardson ranch has original plumbing. How likely is a slab leak?
The risk is real. Homes from that era often have cast-iron drains and copper supply lines that are now 60 years old. Testing the drains with a hydrostatic test and the supply lines with a pressure test shows what you’re dealing with before something fails.
Does Blackland Prairie clay make slab leaks more common in Richardson?
It's a big factor. Blackland Prairie clay can swell and shrink more than almost any soil in Texas. Over years of wet and dry cycles, that movement stresses the pipes in and under your slab.
My new home in Richardson already has a leak. Is that normal?
It happens. In new homes, leaks usually come from a failed fitting, a nicked pipe or settling soil, not worn-out pipe. If you're still under the builder warranty, document the leak and contact the builder before any repair.
How much does slab leak detection cost in Richardson?
Detection usually runs $150–$600, depending on the size of the home, the number of lines and how hard the leak is to hear. You get the price before the visit and a written report of what was found.
Will homeowners insurance cover my slab leak in Richardson?
Often in part. Many Texas policies cover damage from an accidental discharge of water, including tear-out to reach the pipe, but not wear and tear or the pipe itself. Get the leak documented and call your insurer early.
Is a slab leak in my Richardson home an emergency?
Water coming up through the floor, a sewer smell or a fast-spinning meter needs help the same day. A slower leak should still be checked within days, because water under the slab can wash out soil and grow mold.
Last updated 2026-10-23