In 1993 Patti and her husband Joe Godwin packed their bags and left sunny Orange County, California to start up their leak detection business in Spokane, 20 years later, their business is thriving. To mark their anniversary they are participating in several trade shows and conferences, and this summer Patti Godwin is kayaking over 400 miles down the Columbia River through Washington.
“As a business owner, we are so proud to celebrate this milestone,” said Godwin, who now runs the day-to-day business operations, while Joe worked for 20 years in the field. “Our team provides a service that saves people money and helps protect water, this precious resource. Over the years, water stewardship has become a core principal of mine.”
The American Leak Detection franchise employs five, and has two service trucks that cover its vast service area. The team provides a variety of leak detection services for service lines, including pool and slab leak detection, sewer inspection and infrared leak detection. The techs use a variety of exclusive equipment and utilize cutting-edge technology to find leaks without causing damage to a customer’s property.
“We are glad to see our franchisees achieve milestones that are an ode to their accomplishments,” says Patrick DeSouza, President and CEO of American Leak Detection. “The Godwins were committed to creating their own success. Finding leaks isn’t just a job, Patti has been a remarkable example of a career filled with passion, their crew’s work has found and stopped countless water leaks and raised awareness.”
The Godwins provide leak detection services in homes, businesses and municipalities. They have built lasting relationships with plumbers, pool companies, and especially water purveyors to help build community awareness on water-use efficiency. The franchise serves an area serving over 1.5 million people in Spokane, Tri-Cities, Yakima, Moses Lake, Wenatchee, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and more.
Patti’s upcoming kayak journey down the Columbia River from the Canadian border to the Oregon border will take her through a most of their service area. Spot her this summer riding the rapids in her red kayak. To find out more about the trade shows that this American Leak Detection franchisee is involved with, visit www.pnws-awwa.org.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a leak detection specialist, call 509-536-5166. For more information about ALD, visit www.americanleakdetection.com.
is moving, when you know there has been no water usage inside the house, American Leak Detection suggests checking the hose bibs around your yard to make certain that the flow of water to the hose is shutting off completely when the hose is not in use. If these connections are tight, and the meter’s indicator is still moving, you may have a pressurized leak underground between the meter and your home. Or, you could have a slab leak or a leak in your irrigation system. Check your home’s foundation for cracks, uneven growth of vegetation or earth shifts, and walk your yard looking for spongy or even wet areas. If your inspection doesn’t turn up an obvious leak source, you’ll need to call in a leak specialist who can employ electronic leak detection technology to locate, and fix, the leak at its source. 
s face additional possible sources of water leaks that can be very costly over the course of a swimming season. Pool owners should use the spring season to prep their pool for summer fun by clearing the pool of leaves and other debris and checking the filtration system. Then, once the pool owner has filled the pool up to the middle of the skimmer opening and tested the water for safety, he or she should be alert for signs of water leakage. If the water level in the pool drops by one-eighth inch or more in a 24-hour period, if algae growth begins soon after a chemical treatment or if the pool’s automatic filler is running continuously, chances are the pool is leaking. Check for loose or missing tiles, cracks in the pool deck, cracks and gaps in the pool shell, and standing water, soggy spots or uneven grass growth around the pool. 
