Non-Invasive Leak Detection Workflow: From Intake to Verified Fix
Water finds the smallest path and keeps moving. Drywall swells, wood cups, tile warms, and the meter never rests. You don’t need guesswork. You need a clean, step-by-step plan that finds the source, fixes it, and proves the fix without tearing the house apart. Here’s the plain-English walkthrough our team uses across Orlando and Central Florida, from the first call to a verified, bone-dry finish.
Step 1: Intake That Saves Time and Mess
A good repair starts with a smart intake. On your first call, we gather the details that matter: bill spikes, sounds at night, warm tile lines, recent plumbing work, irrigation schedules, and whether a pool auto-fill runs. We ask you to pick a two-hour “no-use” window. You shut off taps and appliances; we note meter behavior or portal readings. Those two hours draw a clear line between normal use and hidden loss. You send photos or short videos of the meter and the affected rooms. Now the field team rolls with a head start, the right gear, and a working hypothesis.
Why it helps: Intake narrows the search zone, cuts wall openings you don’t need, and trims the visit length. You get a focused plan, not a fishing expedition.
Step 2: Visual Survey and Moisture Mapping
The crew arrives, introduces themselves, and walks home with you. We log stains, cupped baseboards, cracked grout, or musty areas. Moisture meters scan walls, trim, and floors. Infrared helps spot temperature changes a hand can’t feel, especially along hot-water runs and shower walls. Outside, we note hose bibs, irrigation tie-ins, and the meter box.
What we learn: The survey tells us where water shows up, not just where it started. Water flows to the easiest exit, so the wet spot can sit yards from the leak. Mapping keeps us honest about that.
Step 3: Split the System, Inside vs. Outside
Next, we divide the puzzle in half. We close the house main and check the meter again.
- Meter stops → source lives inside the home.
- Meter keeps moving → source lives on the line from the meter to the house, or on irrigation.
If irrigation looks guilty, we isolate zones at the backflow or valves and watch the meter settle. This quick split removes guesswork and stops a lot of unnecessary indoor demos.
Step 4: Pinpoint With Non-Invasive Tools
With the search zone set, we bring out the accurate tools:
- Acoustic listening: Sensitive microphones “hear” water escape behind walls, under floors, and through slab.
- Thermal imaging: Hot-water leaks create heat patterns under tile or along walls. The camera shows the trail in seconds.
- Endoscopic video: A pencil-thin camera enters through a small hole to view lines and fittings, so we avoid wide openings.
- Smoke testing (for odors): Harmless smoke reveals vent or drain leaks that let sewer gas into rooms.
Each instrument reduces the area to inches. We mark the exact point and take photos so you see what we see.
Step 5: Choose the Least-Invasive Fix
Once we mark the spot, we choose a repair that solves the problem and protects finishes:
- Spot repair: Replace the failed section at the exact point of the leak.
- Sectional replacement: Swap a longer run if pipe shows age or pitting.
- Reroute: Run a new line around a bad section instead of opening large areas.
- Under-slab options: Use small, controlled access or trenchless methods to avoid tearing up floors.
We explain the plan in plain language, show you the markups, and answer questions. You get a straight path to dry walls and a solid water system.
Step 6: Work Clean, Contain Dust, Respect the Home
Good repair work should feel calm and tidy. We protect walkways, bag debris as we go, and keep access points tight. For slab work, we control dust and vibration. For wall access, we cut neat, square openings that patch well. We cap lines safely and keep kids and pets in mind while we work.
Step 7: Verify the Fix the Same Day
A fix means nothing without proof. We pressure-test the repaired line and watch the meter hit zero during a short no-use window. Moisture meters and thermal cameras confirm dry-down at the repair and nearby finishes. If we rerouted a line, we test fixtures for stable pressure and temperature.
You see proof: Photos of the failure, photos of the repair, and a final meter shot. That record helps with warranties and insurance.
Step 8: Document, Prevent, and Follow Up
You receive a simple packet: what failed, what we did, where we did it, and how to prevent a repeat. Common tips include toilet flapper checks, irrigation tune-ups, replacing brittle supply lines, and setting softener or PRV equipment correctly. If a room needs dehumidification, we share steps or connect you with trusted partners. A short follow-up confirms your meter still rests at night and the area stays dry.
Why Non-Invasive Wins in Central Florida
Our climate speeds up damage. Warm slabs hide hot-line leaks. Daily irrigation masks small supply leaks. High humidity feeds mold fast. Non-invasive methods move quickly and stay precise. You lose less tile, less drywall, and less time. You also get answers that hold up under the stress of summer and the start-stop cycles of busy homes.
What You Can Do Before We Arrive
- Note times you hear water when no one runs fixtures.
- Write down irrigation schedules and softener regeneration times.
- Take two meter photos 30 minutes apart during a quiet window.
- Clear space under sinks and around the water heater.
- Keep pets secure so doors can stay closed.
These simple steps shave minutes off the visit and help the crew lock in on the source.
FAQs: Non-Invasive Leak Detection in Orlando and Central Florida
1) Will you need to open my walls or floors?
We limit openings as much as possible. Cameras and listening gear let us mark the exact spot. If we need access, we cut small, clean openings or use controlled slab entry.
2) Can you confirm a slab leak without tearing up tile first?
Yes. Acoustic listening and thermal imaging give strong proof. We only open the slab after we mark an exact point and review the plan with you.
3) My meter shows night use. Could that be irrigation or a softener?
It can. We match the chart to your schedules, then run a short no-use test with irrigation and softener off. If the meter still moves, we track a leak.
4) How long does a typical repair take?
Most pinpoint repairs finish the same day. Reroutes or under-slab work can take longer. The key is a precise diagnosis so the repair stays focused.
5) Do you handle odor issues tied to vents or drains?
Yes. We use harmless smoke to reveal vent or drain leaks and then outline the repair. That stops sewer gas from entering living spaces.
Stop the spread and fix the source with Leak Doctor Inc. Call 407-426-9995 for fast, non-invasive leak detection and verified repairs across Orlando and Central Florida.