Leak Detection in Moses Lake, WA

Your water bill doubled, nothing looks wrong, and the lawn is the same as it was last month. Either someone is using a lot more water, or something is leaking where you can’t see it. In Moses Lake, where summer irrigation can make a bill hard to read, finding the difference takes a method. Shephard Plumbing locates hidden leaks across Moses Lake using non-invasive techniques, so we find the problem before anyone cuts into a wall or a slab.

Is It a Leak or Just Summer?

Lawns and landscaping drive a large share of summer water use in Moses Lake, so a bigger bill doesn’t always mean a leak. The first step is to separate the possibilities. Turn off every fixture and appliance, then check the water meter. If the dial or the low-flow indicator is still moving, water is going somewhere. If it isn’t, the extra use is probably on the surface, not in the walls.

If the meter does move, the next question is where. Isolating the house from the irrigation system, then isolating individual zones, narrows it down. A leak on the irrigation side is a different repair than one under the house, and knowing which saves a lot of guesswork.

We’ll walk through those steps with you, so you understand how the diagnosis works and what we’re finding.

Finding the Leak Without Opening Everything Up

Hidden leaks happen in places that are difficult to reach: inside walls, under slabs, in crawl spaces, and underground between the meter and the house. Modern detection tools let us find them without guessing. Acoustic equipment picks up the sound of water escaping a pressurized line. Thermal imaging shows temperature differences from leaking hot water or damp materials. Pressure testing tells us which section of piping is losing pressure.

Used together, these methods let us pinpoint a leak to a small area before any repair work begins, which limits damage and cost.

Here is what our leak detection service includes:

• Meter testing to confirm whether water is escaping
• Isolation of irrigation, house, and underground supply lines
• Acoustic and thermal detection of hidden leaks
• Pressure testing of supply lines to narrow the location
• A clear explanation of what was found and what repair would involve

Why Slab and Underground Leaks Deserve Attention

Many Moses Lake homes are built on concrete slabs, with supply lines running underneath or through them. A leak there can soften soil, damage flooring, and waste water for months before anyone notices. Underground leaks between the meter and the house behave similarly, sometimes surfacing as a wet spot in the yard, sometimes remaining completely invisible.

Warning signs include a persistent warm spot on the floor, the sound of running water when nothing is on, unexplained mold or musty smells, cracks in walls or flooring, and a meter that moves when everything is off. Any of them is worth a call.

Once we’ve found the leak, we can discuss repair options, including repairing the line in place, rerouting it, or, where appropriate, replacing a section. We’ll tell you what’s practical, and what it would cost, before any work begins.

A leak you catch early is almost always cheaper than one you find after it’s damaged the structure.

Slow Leaks in Newer Moses Lake Homes

Newer plumbing materials are durable, but they aren’t immune to problems. A fitting that wasn’t fully tightened, a line without adequate support, a connection stressed by the house settling, or a fixture installed carelessly can all begin to seep after a year or two. Because newer homes tend to have finished surfaces and sealed cavities, a slow leak can go unnoticed for a long time.

If you’ve bought a new Moses Lake home, a leak check in the first year or two, while the builder’s warranty is still active, is a smart precaution. If a problem turns up, the documentation we provide can support a warranty claim.