Water Service Line Leak Detection in Delray Beach, FL
A soggy patch in the yard, low pressure, or a meter that keeps running. We find leaks in the water service line between the meter and your Delray Beach property and keep the digging to the exact spot.
What your water service line is, and where leaks start
The water service line is the underground pipe that brings water from the water main and meter to your home or building. It runs through the yard, driveway or landscaping, so a leak can sit there for a long time with nothing visible on the surface.
In most cases the property owner is responsible for the part of the line on their side of the meter, and the utility handles the meter and the main.
Quick answer: Your water service line is the underground pipe between the water main and your home. If your meter keeps running after you close the main valve at the house, the leak is in that underground line. We pinpoint it with acoustic ground microphones and pressure testing, so digging stays small and targeted.
Signs of a service line leak
- A wet, soft or unusually green patch of lawn, even in dry weather
- Water pooling near the meter box, the curb or the foundation
- Low water pressure throughout the house
- A sinking or sunken area in the yard or driveway
- A water bill that climbs with no change in how you use water
- The meter keeps moving after you shut off every fixture and the irrigation
How we locate a service line leak
This starts with a quick check you can do yourself, and it tells us a lot before we bring any equipment.
Run the main valve test
Turn off every fixture and the irrigation, then close the main shutoff valve at the house and check the meter. If it still moves, the leak is in the line between the meter and the house. If it stops, the leak is inside the plumbing.
Confirm with a pressure test
We test the line under pressure to confirm it is losing water and to rule out the usual look-alikes.
Pinpoint it underground
We trace the route of the line and use acoustic ground microphones to find where the leak noise is loudest. Tracer gas helps confirm the spot when noise alone is not clear.
Mark it and report
We mark the exact location, show you the readings, and give you a written report with photos so any digging is small and targeted.
What makes service lines different in Delray Beach
Shifting sandy soil
Sandy ground moves with heavy rain and dry spells. Over time that movement stresses joints, connections and older pipe.
Tree roots and landscaping
Roots seek out moisture and can crowd or damage buried lines. Irrigation connections near the line are another common weak point.
Rain that hides the signs
Storm season and a high water table can leave the yard wet anyway, so a soggy lawn does not always mean a leak. We tell the two apart.
What you get from us
- A clear answer on whether the leak is in the service line or inside the house
- The exact location marked, so digging stays small
- Photos and plain explanations on site
- A written report you can pass on to a landlord, HOA or contractor
- Honest answers, including when the line is fine
If the problem turns out to be at the meter or on the utility side, we tell you so you know where the problem sits.
Wet spot in the yard or a meter that will not stop?
Close the main valve at the house, check the meter, then book your inspection.
Water Service Line Leak Detection questions, answered
How do I know if the leak is in my service line?
Turn off everything that uses water, then close the main valve at the house and watch the meter. If the meter keeps moving, water is escaping between the meter and the house. If it stops, the leak is inside.
Can you find the leak without digging up the whole yard?
Yes. We trace the line and pinpoint the leak with acoustic equipment and, when it helps, tracer gas. Any digging then focuses on one spot instead of a long trench.
Who is responsible for the service line?
In most cases the owner maintains the part of the line on their side of the meter, and the utility maintains the meter and the main.
Why is my lawn wet if it has not rained?
It can be a leak in the service line or an irrigation line. We check which one it is before anything is dug up.
Can a service line leak raise my water bill?
Yes. Water that leaks underground is still water that went through your meter. A bill that climbs with no change in habits is one of the clearest signs.
What should I do first if I suspect a leak?
Close the main valve at the house and check the meter. If it still moves, call us. Take photos of any wet areas and note when you first saw them.
What is the difference between a water main leak and a service line leak?
The water main is the large utility pipe in the street. The service line is the smaller pipe that branches off to your property. Where responsibility changes is usually at the meter, so a leak on your side of it is a service line leak.
Why is my water meter running when nothing is on?
A running toilet, an irrigation zone or a hidden leak can all move the meter. Turn everything off, close the main valve at the house and watch the meter. If it still moves, the leak is in the underground line.
Should I dig up the leak myself?
Closing the main valve and calling us is the safer first step. Digging blind near buried lines can damage them and does not tell you where the leak actually is.
Leak Detection Pros in Delray Beach, FL
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