Hidden Leak Detection and Repair in San Jose, CA
A hidden leak wastes water and quietly damages floors, walls and foundations. Our San Jose plumbers find it with acoustic, thermal and pressure testing, so we open only what's needed, and then repair it properly. Finding a typical accessible leak costs $150 to $600; slab, underground and multi-unit leaks run up to about $1,500.
- Google 4.9130+ reviews
- Licensed C-36 · C-20 · ACSLB License #1101278
- 1-year labor warranty24/7 service since 1986

Leak Detection and Repair Services
Non-invasive detection first, targeted repair second.
Water leak detection
Leaks in walls, ceilings, floors and underground lines located with electronic listening, thermal imaging and pressure testing.
Pipe leak repair
Pinhole leaks, failed fittings and split pipes repaired in copper, galvanized, PEX and CPVC, or rerouted when that's the better fix.
Slab leak detection and repair
Leaks in lines under a concrete slab found and repaired, rerouted or repiped. See slab leak repair.
Underground and main line leaks
Leaks in the water service line between the meter and the house located and repaired, or the line replaced.
Gas leak detection
Gas piping tested and leaks pinpointed and repaired. If you smell gas, leave and call PG&E or 911 first. See gas line services.
Fixture and appliance leaks
Running toilets, dripping faucets, water heater and supply line leaks that add up on the water bill.
- A higher water bill
A bill well above the same month last year, without a change in use.
- The meter moves with everything off
Turn off all fixtures and watch the meter's leak indicator. Movement means a leak.
- Damp spots, stains or warped floors
Water stains on ceilings and walls, bubbling paint or cupped wood floors.
- Mold or a musty smell
Persistent mildew odors, especially in closets, cabinets or along baseboards.
- Sound of running water
Hissing or running water in walls or under floors when nothing is on.
- Warm spots or wet ground
Warm floors over a slab, or soggy, unusually green patches in the yard.
This page is about finding a hidden leak anywhere in your home’s plumbing. If the leak is under your concrete slab and you want to know the repair options, see slab leak repair.
How We Find Hidden Leaks
No single tool finds every leak, so we combine methods:
- Electronic and acoustic leak detection. Sensitive ground and wall microphones pick up the sound of water escaping a pressurized pipe, even under concrete.
- Thermal imaging. Infrared cameras show the temperature difference of a hot water leak or a wet area behind drywall.
- Pressure testing. Isolating sections of piping and watching for pressure loss confirms which line is leaking.
- Moisture meters and visual inspection. Confirm the extent of wet materials and spot obvious failures.
- Gas leak detection. Pressure tests and electronic detectors locate leaks in gas piping.
Common Types of Leaks
Slab leaks in copper lines under the foundation, often in homes from the 1950s to the 1970s. Wall and ceiling leaks from failed fittings and pinholes. Underground service line leaks between the meter and the house. Fixture leaks from toilets, faucets and supply lines. Water heater leaks from valves, fittings or the tank. Drain leaks, which only show when water runs and need a camera or flow test.
Repair Options After the Leak Is Found
For a single leak in sound pipe, we repair the section and pressure-test the line. When a pipe runs under a slab, rerouting it through the attic or walls is often less disruptive than breaking concrete. If the pipe is old galvanized or has had several pinhole leaks, replacing that run or repiping prevents the next one. We’ll price each option so you can choose.
Check for a Leak Yourself
Turn off every faucet and water-using appliance, then look at your water meter. Most meters have a small triangle or dial that spins with even a slight flow. If it moves, there’s a leak somewhere on your side of the meter; the EPA’s WaterSense program suggests the same meter check over two hours with no water in use. Our guide to detecting pipe leaks walks through more checks.
Sources
- U.S. EPA WaterSense: Fix a Leak Week
- U.S. EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
- PG&E: Gas Safety
Checked October 2026.
How Much Does Leak Detection Cost in San Jose?
Leak detection in San Jose ranges from $150 to $1,500. A typical accessible leak costs $150 to $600 to find; slab, underground and multi-unit leaks sit at the higher end.
| Service | Typical San Jose price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Leak detection, typical accessible leak | $150–$600 |
| Leak detection, all jobs | $150–$1,500 |
| Flat-rate pricing | Typically based on $150–$250 per hour, plus parts and drive time |
| After-hours flat-rate pricing | Typically based on $200–$300 per hour, plus parts and drive time, with a minimum charge |
| Inspection feeWaived for service plan members | $59 |
What affects the price
- Where the leak is. Under a sink is quick; under a slab or in the yard takes more testing.
- Methods needed. Some leaks need acoustic, thermal and pressure testing together.
- Building size. Multi-unit buildings and commercial systems take longer to isolate.
- Repair. The repair is priced separately once the leak is found.
Most repairs are quoted as a fixed price before we start. Ranges are typical for San Jose and the South Bay and don't include current specials.
Read the leak detection cost guide →How Our Leak Detection Works
Call or book online
Tell us what you've noticed. Active leaks get priority, 24/7.
Confirm the leak
We check the meter and isolate fixtures and lines to confirm a leak and narrow it down.
Pinpoint it
Acoustic listening, thermal imaging, pressure testing and moisture meters locate the leak to within inches.
Explain and price
We show you where it is and give you a written price for the repair options.
Repair
We open the smallest area possible, repair the pipe and pressure-test the line.
Document
Photos and notes for your records and insurance claim.
Leaks in San Jose Homes
The leaks we find most often follow San Jose's housing stock.
Slab foundations
Many 1950s to 1970s ranch homes have copper water lines under the slab. Pinhole leaks there are one of our most common calls.
Galvanized pipe
Older homes with galvanized steel pipe develop leaks at threaded joints as the pipe corrodes.
Water service lines
Soil movement and age crack older service lines between the meter and the house.
Multi-unit buildings
HOAs and apartment buildings call us to trace leaks between units and in shared lines.
Neighborhoods we serve: Downtown San Jose · Willow Glen · East San Jose · South San Jose · Evergreen · Cambrian Park · West San Jose · Berryessa · North San Jose · Blossom Valley
Current Specials
Save on your visit. Mention the offer when you book.
- Any Plumbing Service$50 OFFGet Offer: Any Plumbing ServiceLimit 1 per household. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires January 15, 2028. See details for Any Plumbing Service
- Sewer Line InspectionFREECamera inspectionGet Offer: Sewer Line InspectionLimit 1 per household. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires January 15, 2028. See details for Sewer Line Inspection
- Water Heater Installation$250 OFFGet Offer: Water Heater InstallationLimit 1 per household. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires January 15, 2028. See details for Water Heater Installation
- Second OpinionFREEAlready have a quote from another licensed plumber?Get Offer: Second OpinionFor customers with a quote from another licensed plumber. Expires January 15, 2028. See details for Second Opinion
- 12-Month Financing0%Interest for 12 monthsGet Offer: 12-Month FinancingThrough Synchrony, subject to financing approval. Expires January 15, 2028. See details for 12-Month Financing
- Seniors, Teachers & Healthcare Workers5% OFFSeniors 65+, teachers and healthcare workersGet Offer: Seniors, Teachers & Healthcare WorkersFor seniors 65+, teachers and healthcare workers. Expires January 15, 2028. See details for Seniors, Teachers & Healthcare Workers
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
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
Great service and great attitude. Dustin and Jay were up front with the time and cost. They explained the process and walked us through all the work they did. True pros, will definitely do business with them again. Thank you for fixing the leak!
Tran C.Google review
Leak Detection FAQs
What is leak detection?
Leak detection is locating hidden water or gas leaks with tools such as acoustic sensors, thermal imaging cameras, pressure tests and moisture meters, so the leak can be repaired without opening more than necessary.
What are the signs of a hidden leak?
A higher water bill, a meter that moves when nothing is on, damp spots or stains, mold smells, sounds of running water, warm spots on floors and wet patches in the yard.
Do you offer emergency leak detection?
Yes, 24/7, including weekends and holidays. After-hours work is billed at emergency rates, confirmed before we start.
What kinds of leaks do you find?
Slab leaks, leaks in walls and ceilings, underground water service lines, toilets, faucets, water heaters, gas lines and drain lines. We don't do pool leak detection.
How much does leak detection cost in San Jose?
Typically $150 to $600 for an accessible leak, and up to about $1,500 for slab, underground or multi-unit leaks. The repair is priced separately.
Will you have to tear open my walls?
Usually only a small opening at the leak. Pinpointing it first is what keeps the opening small.
Serving San Jose and the South Bay
Our shop is at 2880 Aiello Dr in San Jose. We provide leak detection across the city and nearby South Bay and Peninsula communities. See our full service area.
- San Jose
- Santa Clara
- Sunnyvale
- Mountain View
- Cupertino
- Campbell
- Saratoga
- Los Gatos
- Milpitas
- Morgan Hill
- Gilroy
- Fremont
- Palo Alto
- Los Altos
- Los Altos Hills
- Menlo Park
- Atherton
- Stanford
- Portola Valley
- Woodside
Leak detection in other cities
Content and prices reviewed October 2026.
Need leak detection in San Jose? We're here 24/7.
- 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