FAQs

A slab leak is a pressurized line leaking beneath the concrete foundation. They can cause: 

• Warm floor spots 

• Flooring damage 

• Mold 

• Rising water bills 

• Structural issues 

Using: 

• Pressure testing 

• Line tracing 

• Acoustic listening 

• Thermal imaging 

• On-floor marking of the leak location 

Repairs may be offered directly depending on your location. If not, referrals are provided. 

A leak between the water meter (or well) and the home—typically underground. 

Usually 18–36 inches, but colder regions may require 6–8 feet of depth.

Yes—your technician can help arrange:

A meter shutoff test

Confirmation that the leak is on the homeowner’s side

Clarification of local responsibilities

Yes—on the pressurized portion from the backflow to the zone valves. 

Some offices do; others provide trusted irrigation repair referrals. 

Signs of irrigation leaks include: 

• Wet areas when system is off 

• Hissing at the backflow 

• Constant water flow on the meter 

• Oversaturated soil 

Common signs: 

• Losing more than ¼–½” of water per day 

• Pump losing prime 

• Air bubbles in pump basket 

• Cracks around skimmers or jets 

• Wet spots near equipment 

Many offices offer: 

• Skimmer repairs 

• Equipment repairs 

• PVC line repairs 

• Crack sealing 

• Full repipes 

If repairs are not performed locally, you’ll receive high-quality referrals.

We introduce non-toxic smoke into sewer and vent lines to locate: 

• Dry or missing traps 

• Failed wax rings 

• Cracked vent lines 

• Slab sewer leaks 

• Hidden wall/ceiling openings 

Availability varies by office. If repairs are not offered, we provide qualified plumbing referrals.

To diagnose: 

• Blockages 

• Root intrusion 

• Cracks and pipe separations 

• Bellies/sags 

• Grease buildup 

Videos can be provided to plumbers for repair quoting. 

Yes—we identify sources of roof-related water intrusion such as: 

• Flashing failures 

• Vent penetrations 

• Skylights 

• Valleys 

• Ponding on flat roofs 

If repairs are needed, we refer you to roofing specialists when not performed in-house. 

Yes—using pressure tests, moisture mapping, and other diagnostic tools.

Repairs or referrals are provided based on location.

Yes—signs include: 

• Cold spots 

• Boiler pressure loss 

• Air in the system 

• Flooring damage 

• Uneven heating 

We use: 

• Loop isolation and pressure testing 

• Thermal imaging 

• Tracer gas testing 

• Acoustic listening 

• Surface mapping 

Repair availability varies by office; referrals are always provided if needed. 

Yes—often due to: 

• Concrete shifting 

• Freeze/thaw cycles 

• PEX wear 

• Manifold corrosion 

We locate leaks, and repairs or referrals are offered depending on location. 

Yes—where licensed. We perform:

Pressure testing

Sniffer testing

Tracer gas leak locating

Repairs may be available depending on the jurisdiction. If not, we refer licensed gas contractors.

If you suspect a major gas leak, evacuate and call 911 or your gas provider immediately.

Yes—frequent cycles of the pressure tank or pump often indicate a leak. 

We locate leaks in: 

• Pressure tanks 

• Well houses 

• Underground lines from well to home 

• In-home distribution piping 

Repairs or referrals are provided based on location. 

Yes. Reports include: 

• Photos 

• Test results 

• Marked locations 

• Recommendations for repairs or referrals 

Many of our offices do offer full repair services, including: 

• Slab leak repairs 

• Full Line Replacements 

• Line Re-routes 

• Main waterline repairs 

• Irrigation repairs 

• Boiler and radiant heat repairs 

• Pool & spa plumbing repairs 

• Drain line repairs 

• Well system repairs 

• Gas line repairs (where licensed) 

If your local office does not perform repairs directly, we will: 

• Provide referrals to trusted, licensed contractors 

• Coordinate with plumbers, HVAC companies, or specialized repair teams 

• Supply detailed documentation so repairs can be done accurately 

American Leak Detection uses proprietary equipment developed specifically for non-destructive leak detection. Our methods include acoustic listening devices to detect water movement through pipes and structures, electronic amplification to identify pressure differentials, thermal imaging to locate temperature changes caused by leaking water, and tracer gas testing for underground or enclosed plumbing systems.

We identify the source before any repair work begins. This protects your property and keeps repair costs focused on only what's needed.

Service call pricing varies based on property size, the type of system being evaluated, and your location. American Leak Detection operates through a nationwide network of locations, and pricing is set at the local level. Contact our team for accurate information for your service area.

Repair services are available at some American Leak Detection locations. When you schedule a service call, your local team will confirm what services are available in your area. Whether repairs are offered at your location, the detection service provides a complete picture of the problem so you can make an informed decision about what to do next.

If there is a leak present in your system, we will find it. Our technicians are extensively trained, our equipment is proprietary, and our process is built to confirm the source with precision. If no active leak is found, we will let you know and explain what may be causing the symptoms you're experiencing.

We start by learning about your home.

Depending on the property and service selected, we may review:

• The age and type of your home
• Plumbing layout and materials
• Water-use habits
• Previous leaks or water damage
• High-risk fixtures and appliances
• Irrigation, pools, and outdoor water systems
• Main shutoff location and accessibility
• Existing smart-home or monitoring devices
• Your alert and response preferences

We recommend a monitoring and protection setup that matches your home.

This may include whole-home flow monitoring, automatic shutoff, point-of-leak sensors, or a combination of devices and support services.

ALD installs or helps coordinate the installation of the recommended equipment.

We confirm that the device is positioned correctly, connected, and set up to monitor your home’s normal water activity.

Your system tracks water activity and sends alerts when it detects unusual flow or possible leakage.

Depending on the device and plan, you will be able to view water use, track patterns, and receive notifications through an app or dashboard.

When a leak is suspected or confirmed, American Leak Detection can help locate the source using minimally invasive diagnostic methods.

We can then help explain the findings and guide the repair process.

No monitoring device can prevent every water loss. However, earlier awareness and faster response can help reduce the amount of water released and the extent of resulting damage.

Water damage often becomes more severe when no one is home to notice the problem.

A monitoring and automatic shutoff system can be especially valuable for:

• Second homes
• Vacation properties
• Frequent travelers
• Snowbirds
• Rental homes
• Homes left vacant during renovations
• Families who spend long periods away from home

When unusual flow is detected, the system may alert you or automatically shut off the water, depending on the equipment and settings selected.

ALD can help you determine what level of protection makes sense for how you use your home.

A device can notify you that something is wrong.

A complete water-protection plan helps answer:

• Who receives the alert?
• What should they check first?
• When should the water be shut off?
• When should ALD be contacted?
• How quickly can someone respond?
• What testing may be needed?
• Who will help coordinate the repair?
• How will you know the problem has been resolved?

American Leak Detection helps create that plan before an emergency happens.

Not sure which monitoring system or protection plan is right for your home? 

American Leak Detection can review your plumbing system, water usage, previous leak history, risk areas, shutoff access, and protection goals. 

We will help you understand your options and recommend a practical monitoring and response plan for your home. 

We review your property, plumbing systems, water use, leak history, existing monitoring, and operational priorities.

The assessment may include:

• Property layout
• Water-intensive amenities
• Existing meters and monitoring devices
• Automatic shutoff capabilities
• High-risk plumbing areas
• Historical utility usage
• Prior leaks and repairs
• Current emergency-response procedures

Selected monitoring technology tracks water activity and generates alerts when unusual conditions are detected.

Depending on the property, monitoring may cover an entire building, specific systems, individual areas, or multiple locations across a portfolio.

American Leak Detection reviews available monitoring information and helps determine what dashboard alerts and parameters to set.

Not every alert requires an emergency dispatch. Some may be related to normal operations, maintenance issues, fixture problems, irrigation, or changes in facility use.

Professional review helps avoid unnecessary responses while making sure significant issues are escalated appropriately.

When field investigation is needed, American Leak Detection coordinates the appropriate diagnostic response.

Services may include:

• Domestic plumbing leak detection
• Underground water-line testing
• Irrigation leak detection
• Pool and spa leak detection
• Sewer and drain investigations
• Fixture and equipment evaluation
• Cause-and-origin testing
• Plumbing diagnostics

Once the problem is identified, ALD helps guide the next step. This may include operational correction, maintenance, targeted repair, additional testing, or repair coordination.

Program reporting helps your organization track alerts, identified issues, water-loss events, response activity, repairs, and potential savings.

The adjuster submits the available claim information, photographs, videos, reports, estimates, service records, and specific questions.

An experienced American Leak Detection professional evaluates the reported water loss, property information, plumbing findings, testing methods, and proposed repairs.

We identify conflicting information, unsupported conclusions, documentation gaps, and areas requiring further investigation.

ALD provides recommendations for the most appropriate course of action. This may include requesting additional information, completing targeted testing, scheduling on-site leak detection, performing cause-and-origin services, or obtaining further plumbing evaluation.

When an on-site service is necessary, ALD can help coordinate the next step through its nationwide Service Network.

American Leak Detection has a nationwide Service Network supported by Salesforce CRM, allowing for more efficient service delivery, secure customer records, timely reporting, and coordinated follow-up.

When a desk review determines that field services are necessary, ALD can help provide a connected path from technical review to:

• On-site leak detection
• Cause-and-origin testing
• Plumbing diagnostics
• Repair evaluation
• Plumbing repairs
• Monitoring-device inspection
• Preventive maintenance
• Ongoing water-risk management

This allows the desk review to serve as more than a written second opinion. It can become the first step in a complete diagnostic and repair solution.

Best when reports, photographs, videos, estimates, testing results, or contractor findings are already available and require technical review.

A desk review can help determine whether the existing information is sufficient or whether further investigation is justified.

Best when the source cannot be determined from the available documentation, physical testing is needed, or the existing contractor findings cannot be confirmed.

Best when the claim requires a more detailed opinion regarding the source, cause, duration, or conditions associated with the reported water loss.

Best when a contractor has submitted a proposed scope of work and the adjuster needs an independent assessment of the repair needs and potential solutions.

Every home has different water risks.

Your plumbing system, home age, water usage, appliances, irrigation, foundation type, shutoff location, climate, and previous leak history can all affect the type of protection you need.

American Leak Detection helps you choose the right level of protection based on an assessment of your home and your priorities.

Your recommended program may include:

• Whole-home water-use monitoring
• Unusual-flow alerts
• Automatic water shutoff
• Point-of-leak sensors
• Mobile or online alert access
• Professional alert review
• Annual system checks
• Preventive maintenance recommendations
• Priority leak-detection support
• Repair coordination assistance

We do not believe every home needs the same device or service plan. Our goal is to recommend a practical solution that fits your plumbing system, risk level, and budget.

Many monitoring systems can detect unusual water activity or automatically shut off the water.

However, a device may not tell you exactly what caused the alert.

An alert could be related to:

• A leaking toilet
• A dripping or damaged fixture
• An appliance supply line
• A water-heater problem
• An irrigation leak
• An underground service-line leak
• Normal household water use

American Leak Detection helps you move from the alert to the appropriate next step.

Our team can review the available alert information, discuss what was happening in the home, and help determine whether the issue requires monitoring, maintenance, leak detection, emergency shutoff, or repair.

Water damage often becomes more severe when no one is home to notice the problem.

A monitoring and automatic shutoff system can be especially valuable for:

• Second homes
• Vacation properties
• Frequent travelers
• Snowbirds
• Rental homes
• Homes left vacant during renovations
• Families who spend long periods away from home

When unusual flow is detected, the system may alert you or automatically shut off the water, depending on the equipment and settings selected.

ALD can help you determine what level of protection makes sense for how you use your home.

A device can notify you that something is wrong.

A complete water-protection plan helps answer:

• Who receives the alert?
• What should they check first?
• When should the water be shut off?
• When should ALD be contacted?
• How quickly can someone respond?
• What testing may be needed?
• Who will help coordinate the repair?
• How will you know the problem has been resolved?

American Leak Detection helps create that plan before an emergency happens.

Not sure which monitoring system or protection plan is right for your home?

American Leak Detection can review your plumbing system, water usage, previous leak history, risk areas, shutoff access, and protection goals.

We will help you understand your options and recommend a practical monitoring and response plan for your home.

We start by learning about your home.

Depending on the property and service selected, we may review:

• The age and type of your home
• Plumbing layout and materials
• Water-use habits
• Previous leaks or water damage
• High-risk fixtures and appliances
• Irrigation, pools, and outdoor water systems
• Main shutoff location and accessibility
• Existing smart-home or monitoring devices
• Your alert and response preferences

We recommend a monitoring and protection setup that matches your home.

This may include whole-home flow monitoring, automatic shutoff, point-of-leak sensors, or a combination of devices and support services.

ALD installs or helps coordinate installation of the recommended equipment.

We confirm that the device is positioned correctly, connected, and set up to monitor your home’s normal water activity.

Your system tracks water activity and sends alerts when it detects unusual flow or possible leakage.

Depending on the device and plan, you will be able to view water use, track patterns, and receive notifications through an app or dashboard.

When an alert occurs, ALD can help review the situation and recommend the next action.

When a leak is suspected or confirmed, American Leak Detection can help locate the source using minimally invasive diagnostic methods.

We can then help explain the findings and guide the repair process.

No monitoring device can prevent every water loss. However, earlier awareness and faster response can help reduce the amount of water released and the extent of resulting damage.