Leak detection for multi-unit and commercial buildings
Commercial Leak Detection in San Jose, CA
A leak in one unit shows up in another; an underground break shows up only on the water bill. We trace leaks in multi-unit and commercial buildings with acoustic, thermal and pressure testing, open only what's needed, repair them, and document everything for owners and insurers.
- 24/7 dispatchEmergency line for every property
- Plumbing + HVACCSLB License #1101278 (C-36, C-20, A)
- 1-year labor warrantyLicensed, bonded and insured since 1986
- Google 4.9130+ reviews
Schedule a Call
Pick a time to talk with our commercial team about your properties.
Who We Work With
Property managers
Residential, commercial and industrial portfolios.
HOAs and condo associations
Shared systems and common areas.
Restaurants, retail and offices
Work scheduled around business hours.
Schools and public agencies
Prevailing wage and insurance requirements met.
Commercial Leak Detection Services
Detection first, then a targeted repair.
Leaks between units
Water through ceilings and walls traced to the source unit, riser, drain or fixture.
Slab leaks
Leaks under ground-floor slabs located and repaired, rerouted or repiped.
Underground service lines
Breaks between the meter and buildings located, often across parking lots and landscaping.
Irrigation and fire lines
Leaks in irrigation mains and around backflow assemblies found and repaired.
Drain and stack leaks
Leaking drains and stacks found with cameras and flow tests.
Documentation for claims
Photos, test notes and repair records for owners, boards and insurers.
Why Managers Call Us for Leaks
Less demolition
Pinpointing the leak first keeps openings small.
The right responsible party
Clear findings help sort out what belongs to the owner, the tenant or the association.
Repair in the same visit
Many leaks are repaired as soon as they're found.
Records for insurance
Documentation of cause, damage and repair.
How We Find and Fix Commercial Leaks
Confirm
Meter checks and isolation tests confirm a leak and narrow it to a zone.
Pinpoint
Acoustic, thermal and pressure testing locate it, often to within inches.
Approve
Findings and repair options for your approval.
Repair
Targeted repair, reroute or replacement, pressure-tested.
Document
Photos and notes for your records and any claim.
Recent Leak Detection Work
Underground hot water leak, 8 units
A major underground hot water leak affected eight units. Our plumber isolated it by installing ball valves on the manifold, so residents kept water while the repair was planned.
Same-day ceiling leak in a condo
Sent by an HOA management company, our plumber traced a leak coming through a ceiling and replaced the leaking fitting during the same-day visit.
Underground copper line repair
A leaking underground copper tee exposed and repaired with clamps in an excavated trench.
Pricing and Service Agreements
Clear pricing
Service and repair work is priced at a flat rate or on an hourly basis. Larger projects, such as repipes, sewer replacement and equipment installations, are custom quoted.
Service agreements
Flexible service agreements and payment terms for property managers and associations, and scheduled maintenance for plumbing and HVAC. Maintenance plans.
24/7 emergency response
Call (408) 978-3093 any time for leaks, backups and no-heat or no-cooling calls. Emergency work is priced separately.
Today we had a major underground hot water leak that affected 8 units. Daniel came out and used his experience to find and isolate the issue by installing ball valves on the manifold allowing us to have water. Very happy with the service. Way to go Daniel and way to go CPI!!!!!!
Larissa D.Google review
We had a leak from the ceiling inside our condo. CPI was recommended by our HOA management company because they successfully completed several other jobs in our complex. Scheduling the appointment was easy and we were able to get a same-day appointment. Danny from Consolidated came out to do a leak investigation and was able to replace a leaking fitting during the same appointment. We had a very good experience with CPI and are glad our HOA recommended them.
Ernesto M.Yelp review
We had a water service line leak. Danny the technician arrived on time and explained everything to us clearly. He is nice, knowledgeable and professional. He finished the job by himself perfectly and the area was left clean. We would definitely request this technician again when we contact CPI Service in the future.
Thu L.Google review
Leaks in Multi-Unit Buildings: What to Plan For
Watch the meter
In single-meter buildings, a jump in use is often the first sign of a hidden leak. Reading the meter overnight, when use is low, confirms it; San Jose Water and the EPA describe the same no-use meter test.
Slab construction
Many South Bay buildings from the 1950s to the 1970s have copper lines under slabs, where pinhole leaks are common.
Responsibility
CC&Rs and leases decide who pays; documentation of the source settles most questions.
Repeat leaks
Several leaks in the same system usually mean it's time to plan a repipe.
How Leaks Behave in Multi-Unit Buildings
Water travels. A leak from a supply line, drain or shower pan in one unit often appears as a stain or drip in the unit below, or several units away along a joist or pipe chase. That’s why we test before opening: isolating each unit’s supply, running drains one at a time, and using acoustic and thermal tools to follow the water back to its source.
Common Sources
- Supply line pinholes in older copper and galvanized piping.
- Drain and stack joints, which leak only when fixtures above are used.
- Shower pans and tub overflows, a frequent source of ceiling stains below.
- Water heater and mechanical room leaks from fittings and relief valves.
- Underground service and irrigation lines, which show up as wet ground or a rising bill.
After the Repair
Dry wet framing and drywall promptly to prevent mold, keep the documentation with your maintenance records, and watch the meter for a few weeks. If the same piping keeps failing, plan a repipe before the next one.
We trace leaks in buildings in Cupertino, Milpitas and Los Gatos as well as San Jose. The service area page lists every city we cover.
Sources
Checked October 2026.
Commercial Leak Detection FAQs
How do you find a leak between units without opening every wall?
We isolate fixtures and lines, then use acoustic listening, thermal imaging, moisture meters and pressure tests to narrow it down, so openings are small and targeted.
Can you document the leak for insurance or the HOA?
Yes. We provide photos and notes on the source, the damage and the repair.
How is this work priced?
Service and repair work is priced at a flat rate or on an hourly basis. Larger projects are custom quoted after we see the site. Emergency and after-hours work is priced separately.
Do you find underground leaks under parking lots?
Yes, using acoustic equipment and pressure testing to locate the break before any digging.
What if the building keeps having leaks?
Repeated leaks in the same piping usually mean the system is failing. See multi-family repiping.
Need a reliable plumbing and HVAC partner for your properties?
- CSLB License #1101278 (opens CSLB in a new tab): C-36 Plumbing · C-20 HVAC · A General Engineering
- 1-year labor warranty on our work
- BBB A+ Accredited Business (opens BBB in a new tab)
- Technicians trained and certified: NASSCO PACP, MACP and LACP · Rheem heat pump · Noritz Level 3 tankless · OSHA safety
- Member of IAPMO, NASSCO, BOMA, IFMA · Se habla español