Our Reviews
You know something’s wrong when your water bill jumps for no reason. Maybe you hear water running when everything’s turned off. Or you’ve spotted that telltale water stain spreading across your ceiling.
Hidden leaks don’t announce themselves until they’ve already caused serious damage. By the time you see water pooling or stains appearing, you’re looking at repairs that can easily hit thousands of dollars. Mold starts growing within 24-48 hours of water exposure, creating health risks for your family.
Our leak detection service finds the problem while it’s still manageable. We use advanced acoustic equipment and thermal imaging to pinpoint leaks behind walls, under slabs, and in underground pipes without any demolition. You get the exact location, a clear explanation of what’s happening, and honest recommendations for fixing it.
We’ve been serving River Forest and the greater Chicago area with reliable plumbing solutions. We’re a locally owned company that understands the unique challenges of Chicago-area homes, from older pipe systems to the freeze-thaw cycles that stress plumbing infrastructure.
Our team is licensed, bonded, and insured, giving you complete protection when we work on your property. We’ve seen every type of leak scenario in this area, from the common copper pipe failures in vintage homes to the slab leaks that plague certain neighborhoods.
What sets us apart is our commitment to transparency. We provide upfront pricing, explain exactly what we find, and never pressure you into unnecessary work. When you’re dealing with a potential leak, you need straight answers from people who know what they’re doing.
We start with a thorough assessment of your property and discussion about what you’ve noticed. High water bills, sounds of running water, or visible signs all give us clues about where to focus our investigation.
Next, we use specialized equipment to locate the leak. Our acoustic listening devices can detect the sound of water escaping from pipes, even when it’s buried under concrete or hidden behind walls. Thermal imaging cameras show temperature differences that reveal moisture patterns. For underground leaks, we may use tracer gas or electronic pipe locating equipment.
Once we’ve pinpointed the leak location, we mark it clearly and explain exactly what we’ve found. You’ll get a detailed explanation of the problem, what caused it, and your options for repair. We provide written documentation that’s useful for insurance claims if needed. The entire process typically takes 1-3 hours depending on your property size and the complexity of the leak.
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Our leak detection service covers every type of water leak you might encounter in River Forest homes and businesses. We handle underground water leak detection for service lines and sprinkler systems, leak detection in walls for supply lines and drains, and underfloor water leak detection for radiant heating systems and slab leaks.
River Forest’s housing stock includes many homes built in the 1920s and 1930s, which means we frequently deal with aging galvanized steel and copper pipes. These materials are particularly susceptible to corrosion and pinhole leaks. We also see issues with newer PEX installations where fittings may fail, and slab leaks in ranch-style homes built in the 1960s and 70s.
Our equipment can detect leaks as small as a few drops per minute, catching problems before they become emergencies. We provide same-day service for urgent situations and can coordinate with your insurance company if you need documentation for a claim. Every leak detection comes with a detailed report showing the exact location and our professional recommendations.
Leak detection typically costs between $200-$500 depending on your property size and the complexity of the search. This investment often saves thousands compared to the cost of water damage repairs or continuously high water bills.
We provide upfront pricing before we start any work, so you know exactly what you’re paying. If we find a leak and you hire us for the repair, we often credit the detection fee toward the repair cost. Consider that a single hidden leak can waste hundreds of gallons per day, quickly adding $50-$200 monthly to your water bill.
Yes, our non-destructive leak detection methods find leaks without any demolition. We use acoustic equipment, thermal imaging, and electronic locating devices that work through walls, concrete, and soil.
These advanced tools let us pinpoint leak locations within inches without cutting holes or digging exploratory trenches. You’ll know exactly where the problem is before any repair work begins. This saves you money on unnecessary demolition and restoration costs, and it means less disruption to your daily routine.
The only time we recommend opening walls or floors is when we’ve already confirmed a leak location and you’ve decided to proceed with repairs.
Most leak detection jobs take 1-3 hours depending on your property size and how obvious the leak signs are. Simple cases where we can hear water running or see clear moisture patterns may take just an hour.
Complex situations involving multiple potential leak points or large properties can take longer. We work systematically to ensure we don’t miss anything, but we also respect your time. If we’re dealing with an emergency situation, we prioritize finding the main leak source quickly to minimize ongoing damage.
We’ll give you a time estimate when we arrive and keep you updated if the search takes longer than expected.
The most common sign is an unexplained increase in your water bill, especially if your usage patterns haven’t changed. You might also hear the sound of running water when all fixtures are turned off, or notice your water meter spinning when no water is being used.
Visible signs include water stains on ceilings or walls, damp spots on floors, unusually green patches in your yard during dry periods, or the smell of mold or mildew. Some leaks create warm spots on floors if they’re affecting hot water lines, or cause foundation settling if they’re washing away soil under your home.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s worth having a professional investigation. Early detection prevents minor leaks from becoming major disasters.
Yes, we offer 24/7 emergency leak detection services for urgent situations. If you’re dealing with active water damage, rapidly increasing water bills, or signs of a major leak, we can respond quickly to minimize the damage.
Emergency situations might include water bubbling up through your basement floor, sudden loss of water pressure throughout your home, or obvious signs of a main line break. We understand that water damage gets worse every hour, so we prioritize emergency calls.
For non-emergency leak detection, we typically schedule within 1-2 business days. But if you’re seeing active water damage or your water meter is spinning rapidly, call us immediately for emergency service.
Insurance coverage depends on your specific policy and the cause of the leak. Most homeowner’s policies cover sudden and accidental water damage but exclude damage from gradual leaks or maintenance issues.
We provide detailed documentation of our findings, including photos and written reports that insurance companies typically require for claims. If the leak caused covered damage, your insurance may reimburse the detection cost as part of the overall claim.
We recommend calling your insurance company as soon as you discover water damage to understand your coverage. We’re happy to work with your adjuster and provide any documentation they need. Even if insurance doesn’t cover everything, early detection usually saves far more than it costs by preventing extensive water damage.
