Plumbing Service

Hidden Leak Detection & Repair Across North Texas

Find hidden leaks before they damage your home.

A hidden leak can quietly destroy a home long before you ever see standing water. By the time stained drywall, warped flooring, or a triple-sized water bill appears, the underlying pipe has often been leaking for weeks or months. McDade Plumbing offers professional leak detection and repair across Burleson, Granbury, Cleburne, Crowley, Joshua, Aledo, Glen Rose, and surrounding communities.

We find leaks the way they should be found — with electronic listening equipment, pressure testing, and thermal imaging — not by cutting random holes in your walls and floors. Most slab and concealed leaks are pinpointed with a single small access opening, repaired correctly, and tested under pressure before we leave.

Our team handles every common leak source: copper pinhole leaks, slab leaks, PEX joint failures, hose bib leaks, leaking water heaters, leaking shower pans, and supply lines to dishwashers, fridges, and washing machines. If there's water where it shouldn't be, we'll figure out where it's coming from.

Common Causes

Pinhole copper leaks

Older copper supply lines develop tiny pinhole leaks from corrosion. They often appear in attics or inside walls before they ever drip visibly.

Slab leaks

Hot or cold supply lines run through the foundation slab can rub against rebar or corrode, leaking water under the floor for months before symptoms show.

Failed solder or PEX fittings

Even properly installed fittings can fail decades later. We find the bad joint without tearing out an entire wall.

Worn-out shutoff valves and toilet supply lines

Angle stops and braided supply lines are common silent leakers behind toilets, sinks, and washing machines.

Cracked drain or vent pipes

Drain leaks usually show up as ceiling stains below upstairs bathrooms or wet spots near the slab.

Failing water heater tanks

A weeping water heater tank is leaking, even if there's no obvious puddle. We catch it before the full tank lets go.

Outdoor leaks at hose bibs and irrigation tie-ins

Exterior leaks can mimic indoor problems by softening the soil around the foundation. We trace them to the right source.

Warning Signs to Watch For

  • Higher-than-normal water bill

    If your monthly usage jumps without any change in your habits, a hidden leak is the most likely cause.

  • Warm or damp spot on the floor

    These are classic signs of a hot-water slab leak. Don't wait — slab leaks erode the soil under your foundation.

  • Mold, mildew, or musty smell

    Persistent musty odors in a bathroom, laundry room, or basement usually trace back to a slow leak inside a wall or under a fixture.

  • Water meter spinning with everything off

    Shut off every fixture, then watch the meter. If it's still moving, water is leaving the system somewhere.

  • Discolored, stained, or sagging drywall and ceilings

    A brown ring on the ceiling or a soft patch of drywall is almost always water damage from a hidden leak above.

  • Hissing sound in walls or near fixtures

    Pressurized water escaping through a small leak often makes a quiet hiss you can hear with the house quiet.

  • Cracks in the foundation or floor

    Long-running slab leaks soften the ground under the foundation and can cause new cracks in slabs and walls.

Our Repair Process

  1. 01

    System pressure test

    We isolate sections of the system and pressure test to confirm a leak exists and narrow down its general location.

  2. 02

    Electronic acoustic detection

    Specialized listening equipment hears water escaping a pressurized line through concrete, drywall, or soil.

  3. 03

    Thermal imaging

    For hot-water leaks, thermal cameras quickly highlight the temperature signature of the leaking line.

  4. 04

    Pinpoint marking and minimal access

    We mark the exact leak location so the repair opening is as small as possible — usually a single tile or a small drywall patch.

  5. 05

    Code-compliant repair

    Repairs use proper materials and connections, sized to the existing system and built to last.

  6. 06

    Final test and verification

    Before any access opening is closed, we re-pressurize the system and confirm the leak is gone.

Benefits of Professional Leak Detection

Stop damage before it spreads

Catching a leak early can mean a $400 repair instead of a $40,000 reconstruction.

Lower water bills

Even a small constant leak adds hundreds of dollars per year to your water bill.

Protect your foundation

Slab leaks left alone erode soil and can damage the foundation itself. Early detection protects the entire structure.

Healthier indoor air

Eliminating chronic moisture stops mold growth and improves air quality, especially for kids and anyone with allergies.

Insurance documentation

We provide clear written findings and photos that make filing an insurance claim straightforward.

Why Choose McDade Plumbing

  • Non-invasive electronic, acoustic, and thermal leak detection.
  • Pinpoint repairs that minimize damage to your home.
  • Family-owned local team that handles detection and repair in one visit.
  • Honest pricing — we don't sell unnecessary re-pipes.
  • Detailed written reports for insurance and your records.

Hidden leaks only get more expensive the longer they run. If your water bill jumped, your floor feels warm, or you can hear water you can't see, schedule a leak detection call before the damage spreads.

Call McDade Plumbing at 817-774-0748 to schedule professional leak detection anywhere in our North Texas service area.

Call 817-774-0748 — 24/7

Leak Detection FAQ

Answers to the most common questions we hear about leak detection.

Shut off every fixture and appliance in the house and check your water meter. If it's still moving, water is escaping somewhere. Other strong signs include a sudden spike in your bill, warm floor spots, and musty odors.

Need a Plumber Today?

Call now or request a free estimate online — we'll get back to you fast.

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