Most leaks don’t announce themselves. They show up as a water bill that keeps climbing, a soft spot in the drywall, or the sound of running water when every faucet is off. Cougar Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical has licensed plumbers who use non-invasive tools to pinpoint where the water is going, so the repair targets the right spot instead of opening walls to search. In winter, freeze-damaged pipes in crawlspaces and exterior walls often leak slowly for weeks before anyone notices.
Signs of a Hidden Water Leak
- A water bill that’s higher than usual with no change in how you use water
- Your water meter moving when every fixture in the house is off
- Damp spots, stains, bubbling paint, or warped flooring
- A musty smell or mold in cabinets, closets, or the basement
- Warm spots on the floor, which can point to a hot water line leaking under a slab
- Running water sounds with nothing turned on, sometimes from a toilet that won’t stop filling
- A drop in water pressure
- A water heater that seems to run more than usual
Quick check: Turn off every faucet and water-using appliance, then watch your meter for 15 to 30 minutes. If it moves, water is going somewhere. If water is actively flowing, shut off your main valve and call for emergency plumbing instead.
How Leak Detection Works
We start with the least invasive methods and narrow it down:
- Pressure testing to isolate whether the leak is on the hot or cold side and which line it’s on
- Acoustic listening equipment that picks up the sound of water escaping a pipe behind walls, floors, or concrete
- Thermal imaging to spot temperature differences caused by moisture or leaking hot water lines
- Moisture meters to confirm how far water has spread
These same tools handle slab leak detection, so a leak under your concrete foundation can be located without breaking up the whole floor. The result is a marked location, so any opening we make is as small as possible.
What Happens Next
Once we find the leak, your plumber explains where it is, what caused it (a freeze crack, corroded galvanized pipe, a pinhole in copper, or a failed fitting), and your repair options. You get upfront pricing before any work begins. When the fix is straightforward, we can often handle it during the same visit through our pipe and water leak repair service. Leaks under a concrete slab require a different repair approach, and we’ll walk you through it.
We also document what we find, which can help if you file an insurance claim.
Why Choose Cougar for Leak Detection
- Licensed plumbers with the tools to find leaks without guesswork
- Upfront pricing before any work begins
- 100% Service Fee Guarantee and 100% customer satisfaction guarantee
- 24/7 live answering and locally operated service across Spokane and North Idaho
Call (509) 253-5430 or schedule service online.
