Water leak detection in Greenville and the Upstate
Water leak detection for high water bills, ceiling stains or the sound of running water. We find the leak first, so the repair opens only what it has to.
A licensed Master Plumber on every job
4.8from 593 Google reviews
How do plumbers find a hidden water leak?
Ethical Plumbing uses acoustic listening equipment, thermal imaging, video pipe inspection and pressure testing to pinpoint hidden leaks in walls, slabs, crawl spaces and yard lines. Most leaks are found without opening anything until we know exactly where to look. Call 864-438-0525.
- Slab leaks
- Leaks in walls and ceilings
- Crawl space leaks
- Main water line leaks
Find it first, then fix it
Hidden leaks are expensive because of the water damage, not the repair. A pinhole in a supply line inside a wall or under a slab can run for weeks before a stain or a spike in the water bill gives it away. By then, drywall, flooring and framing may be wet.
Professional leak detection is about finding the exact spot without tearing your house apart to look for it. We start by confirming there is a leak and how fast it is running, then use the right equipment for your home to narrow it down. The repair then opens only the spot that needs it.
If you suspect a leak right now and can see water, shut off the main water valve and call us. If you only suspect a leak, the meter test in the questions below is a good first step.
Signs of a hidden leak
Small leaks can run for months before anything shows. These are the early signs worth a call.
- A water bill that jumps without explanation
- Stains or damp spots on walls or ceilings
- Musty smell or mold
- Warm spots on the floor (a possible slab leak)
- Sound of running water with everything off
- A water meter that moves with no taps open
How we find hidden leaks
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Acoustic listening
Sensitive microphones pick up the sound of water escaping a pressurized pipe, even under concrete.
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Thermal imaging
A thermal camera shows the temperature change a hot or cold water leak leaves in walls and floors.
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Video pipe inspection
A small camera inside the pipe shows cracks, breaks and failed joints.
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Pressure testing
We pressurize sections of the system and watch for a drop to narrow down where the leak is.
Leaks in Upstate homes
Many Upstate homes sit on crawl spaces, where a leak can drip unseen for months, soaking insulation and raising humidity under the house. A musty smell or higher humidity in the crawl space is often the first sign, and it is also why we offer crawl space encapsulation.
Slab homes have a different risk. A leak in a hot water line under the slab often shows up as a warm spot on the floor, and acoustic and thermal equipment are how we pinpoint it without breaking up more concrete than necessary.
Outside, red clay soil that expands and shrinks with the seasons puts stress on the main water line between the meter and the house. A wet spot in the yard that never dries out is a common sign of a main line leak.
What affects the cost of leak detection
You get a written price before we start. The main factors are:
- How many fixtures and lines need testing
- Slab, wall, crawl space or yard line
- Which detection equipment the job needs
- Access, such as a finished basement or tight crawl space
Leaks under driveways and roads
When a water line leaks under a driveway, sidewalk or road, many companies start by breaking up the concrete or asphalt. We do not. We bore underneath the pavement and run the repaired or new line through, so the surface above stays intact. That saves you the cost and mess of replacing a driveway on top of the plumbing bill.
How leak detection works
We confirm the leak
A quick meter test tells us whether water is escaping and how fast.
We pinpoint it
Using the right equipment for your home, we locate the leak before opening anything.
You choose the fix, in writing
Spot repair, reroute or replacement, with written prices for each.
We repair and retest
We fix the leak and test the system again to confirm it holds.
Why homeowners call Ethical Plumbing for leak detection
Every job starts with a diagnosis from a licensed Master Plumber, not a sales pitch. We explain what we found in plain terms, show you the options side by side, and put the prices in writing before anything starts. If a repair makes more sense than a replacement, we say so.
We treat your home like a job site that people live in: shoe covers on, work area protected, cleaned up before we leave, and a walkthrough of what we did. Ethical Plumbing has served the Upstate for 16+ years, and our team brings 100+ years of combined plumbing experience. You can meet our plumbers or read what customers say.
What customers say
Every review here is from a real customer. Names are shortened for privacy.
I would like to say that if you need someone to do any kind of repair for your plumbing, you need to contact ethical plumbing. They came out because we had a very bad leak with a pipe in our yard and they got it all accomplished in one day I am so grateful.
When we had an unexpected water leak in our front yard, Ethical Plumbing was able to come out promptly to assess and quote the issue. At nearly half the price of the competition, we were able to have it repaired, plus they were honest to refund a portion of the job that ended up not needing to be…
I can't recommend Ethical Plumbing enough! They were prompt, professional, and went above and beyond to fix my issue. The quality of their work was outstanding, and their attention to detail really impressed me. It's rare to find such reliable service these days—I'll definitely be calling them…
Water leak detection across the Upstate
We find hidden, slab and yard line leaks for homes and businesses in 7 counties. Towns with a local page are linked.
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Greenville County, SC
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Spartanburg County, SC
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Pickens County, SC
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Anderson County, SC
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Henderson County, NC
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Polk County, NC
- Tryon
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Transylvania County, NC
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Also serving
- Seneca, SC
- Gray Court, SC
Water leak detection FAQs
Do you have to tear up my driveway to fix a leak under it?
Usually not. We bore under driveways, sidewalks and roads to repair or replace the line, so the pavement above stays in place and you are not paying to replace concrete or asphalt too.
How long does leak detection take?
Most leak detection visits take a few hours. Large homes, slab leaks and yard lines can take longer.
Can you find a leak without digging or opening walls?
Usually, yes. The equipment lets us pinpoint most leaks first, so the repair opens only the spot that needs it.
What is a slab leak?
A slab leak is a leak in a water line under a concrete floor. Warm spots on the floor, the sound of running water and a high bill are common signs.
Is a high water bill always a leak?
Not always. Running toilets and irrigation systems are common causes. A meter test tells us quickly whether water is escaping somewhere you cannot see.
How can I check my water meter for a leak?
Turn off every faucet and water-using appliance. Find your meter and note the reading, or watch the small leak indicator. If it moves in the next 15 minutes with nothing running, water is escaping somewhere.
Can a hidden leak cause mold?
Yes. Mold can start growing on wet building materials within 24 to 48 hours, which is why finding a hidden leak early matters.
Will my homeowner's insurance cover a leak?
It depends on your policy. Many cover sudden water damage but not the pipe repair itself or slow, long-term leaks. Ask us for photos of what we find to share with your insurer.
What happens after you find the leak?
You get your repair options in writing, such as a spot repair, a reroute around a slab, or replacing a section of pipe. Nothing starts until you approve.
Do you install leak sensors and automatic shutoff valves?
Yes. We install leak sensors and automatic shutoff valves that close the main water line when a leak is detected. They are a good fit for second homes, rentals and water heaters in attics.
Ready when you are
Tell us what's going on.
A Master Plumber will find the cause, explain it in plain terms, and put your options in writing before any work starts.
- A licensed Master Plumber on every job
- Serving the Upstate for 16+ years
- Written prices, every job