When you need it
Hidden leaks are patient. A pinhole in a copper line inside a wall can drip for months before drywall softens enough to show it. Meanwhile, mould grows, subfloors rot and the meter keeps turning. The sooner the source is found, the smaller the repair.
- A Peel water bill well above last year's for the same months
- The meter's low-flow indicator spinning with every tap closed
- Warm patches on a basement slab floor
- Bubbling paint, brown rings on ceilings or a musty closet
- The sound of running water when the house is quiet
Our guide to reading your water meter walks you through a simple overnight test you can do first.
How we do the job
We narrow the search before we use any tools. Isolating fixtures one at a time tells us whether the loss is on the hot side, the cold side, or a toilet quietly running into the bowl. From there, the equipment depends on what we suspect.
- Pressure test sections of supply pipe to confirm a loss
- Use acoustic listening gear to hear escaping water through floors and walls
- Scan with a thermal camera to trace hot water leaks and damp cavities
- Check moisture readings in drywall and flooring to map the wet area
- Open a single, small access point where the evidence converges
Once found, we can usually repair the leak on the same visit, then leave the access opening tidy for drywall patching.
What affects the work
Leaks under concrete slabs or within finished ceilings take longer to pinpoint than those in an unfinished basement. Pipe material also matters: copper tends to pinhole, older polybutylene fails at fittings, and PEX usually leaks at crimp rings or where it has been nicked by a screw. Drain leaks are a separate category, and we may use a sewer camera to find cracked drain pipes rather than supply lines.
What you receive afterward
Afterwards you receive a brief written report: where the leak was, what caused it, what we repaired and anything else we noticed along the way. Photos of the damaged fitting or pipe are included. That record is useful for an insurance adjuster, for a future buyer and for your own peace of mind when a similar stain appears years from now.
Brampton specifics
Brampton's housing spans 1950s bungalows with copper and galvanized lines through to 1980s and early 1990s homes that may contain grey Poly-B, which is prone to fitting failures. Insurers often want to know the source and cause of a leak, and our written findings help with that conversation. If the leak points to wider pipe trouble, read about repiping or our homeowner guide on how to spot a hidden leak.
Asked at the shop counter
Does finding the leak mean wrecking a wall?
Usually only one small opening, placed where the evidence points. Detection is about keeping that opening small.
Can a running toilet really raise my water bill?
Yes. A flapper that leaks silently can waste a large amount of water each day without making any noise.
Is a slab leak common in Brampton?
Less common than wall and ceiling leaks, since most homes have basements with exposed or accessible supply lines, but it does happen.
Questions about this job? Call (365) 413-9125 and talk to a plumber.