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Leak Detection — South Shore MA
Finding the leak is the job. Anything before that is guessing with a saw.
A leak you can see is a repair. A leak you cannot see is a search, and the difference matters because the cheapest way to find a hidden leak is not to start opening walls. Rising bills, a meter that moves with everything off, a warm patch on a floor or a stain that keeps coming back all say water is escaping somewhere. The work is narrowing "somewhere" down to a specific foot of pipe before anything gets cut.
You probably need this if
- Your water bill climbed with no change in how the house is used.
- The water meter creeps even when every fixture and appliance is off.
- A stain on a ceiling or wall keeps returning after being painted over.
- A patch of floor is unexplainably warm, or you hear running water with nothing on.
- Persistent damp, musty smell, or mould in one area of a basement or crawlspace.
What the visit involves
Confirm there is a leak at all
A meter test with the house isolated tells us whether water is leaving the system, and roughly how fast. It is a short test and it separates a real leak from a fixture that runs occasionally.
Isolate the section
Shutting off zones in sequence narrows the leak to a branch: supply versus waste, hot versus cold, inside versus the service line. Most of the value in this job is in this step, done patiently.
Locate before opening
Once the section is known, we pin down the position before cutting anything, so access is one opening in the right place rather than several in the wrong ones. Opening a wall is the last step, not a diagnostic method.
Slab and underground leaks
Older South Shore homes with slab construction or long service runs are their own problem. These take longer to locate and we will tell you that up front rather than discovering it halfway through.
Tell you what it will take to fix
Location and repair are separate decisions. You get the finding and an upfront price for the repair before we continue.
Need leak detection?
Book online and we will diagnose it properly, explain what we find, and price the work before starting.
Leak Detection FAQs
How do I know if I have a hidden leak?
Turn off every fixture and water-using appliance, then watch the meter. If it still moves, water is leaving the system somewhere you cannot see. A sudden jump in the bill with no change in usage is the other common signal.
Will you have to tear open my walls?
Not to find it. The point of a proper location is that one opening is made in the right place, if any is needed at all. Opening walls to search is what we are trying to avoid, and it is the expensive way to do this.
How much does leak detection cost?
Our $99 service fee covers the visit and applies toward the work. Locating is priced before we start, and the repair is a separate upfront price once we know what we are dealing with.
Can a small leak really matter?
Yes, and usually the water damage costs more than the plumbing repair. A slow leak inside a wall or under a slab has time to work on framing and finishes long before anyone notices a stain.
Do you find leaks in the water service line?
Yes. A wet patch in the yard that never dries, or a meter that runs with the house isolated at the main, points outside rather than inside. That changes the repair considerably, which is why it is worth confirming first.
Not what you were looking for? See everything we do.
Why South Shore homeowners choose Johnson Bros.
Leak Detection on the South Shore
We diagnose the cause first and give you an upfront price before any work starts.
Not sure what's wrong? Send a photo or videoBooking online is the quickest way to hold the next open appointment. Call instead if it is urgent and you would rather talk to someone.
Can't talk right now? Get a callback.
How We Work
Clear communication, licensed work, and local support.
Licensed Plumbing Work
Massachusetts-licensed plumbing support backed by insured crews.
Fast Scheduling Updates
We tell you what timing is available and keep you updated if the schedule shifts.
Upfront Options
You get a clear explanation of the work and price before the job begins.
Repair-First Guidance
We help you understand whether repair, replacement, or follow-up service makes the most sense.
Leak Detection on the South Shore
We diagnose the cause first and give you an upfront price before any work starts.
Call for urgent help now. Book online when you want the next available fit for your schedule.