The difference between a $300 pipe repair and a $3,000 drywall-and-remediation project is often just whether the leak was found before or after excessive wall opening. Our Leak Detection service in Newry uses the same detection methods utilities and insurance adjusters rely on — to pinpoint the failure location before anything is cut.
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A pressure test tells us a leak exists and how much water is escaping. Detection equipment tells us precisely where.
Acoustic detection is most effective on metal pipe (copper, cast iron) under slab or in concrete — materials that conduct sound efficiently. It works in quiet environments and requires shutting off the house briefly to establish a clean acoustic baseline.
Thermal imaging is particularly effective inside insulated wall cavities and for finding the extent of moisture spread beyond the immediate leak point. It tells us not just where the pipe is failing but how far the moisture has already traveled.
We isolate the supply system, pressurize it to operating pressure, and monitor pressure over a timed hold period. Any pressure drop confirms active water loss from the supply side. By isolating zones — hot side vs. cold side, section by section — we narrow down which branch of the supply system is leaking before the detection phase begins.
Tracer gas detection is the method of last resort for the most challenging cases — it adds cost and setup time. We use it when acoustic and thermal methods haven't produced a definitive location and the evidence clearly supports an active leak.
Hidden leaks occur in different locations throughout a property — each requiring a slightly different detection approach. Here's how we handle the most common scenarios in Newry, SC.
Confirmed slab leak location is documented with a marked point on the floor and provided to you in the written detection report, with coordinates relative to fixed reference points for the repair crew.
We document the thermal anomaly, mark the approximate pipe location, and recommend a minimal access cut rather than a wide wall opening.
We mark the ground above the detected leak location so the repair crew opens only the section they need to.
Pool plumbing — suction and return lines buried between the equipment pad and the pool shell — can develop leaks at fittings or in the pipe body that appear as unexplained water loss. We pressure-test the pool plumbing circuit, isolate the return and suction lines separately, and use acoustic detection to find which line and where.
Multi-story buildings, commercial kitchens, retail spaces, and industrial properties have complex pipe networks where a supply or drain leak can go undetected through multiple floors before surfacing. We approach commercial detection systematically — zone by zone pressure isolation, thermal scan of suspect surfaces, and acoustic confirmation.
Insurance claims for water damage from hidden leaks typically require documentation that the leak was not visible or detectable without specialized equipment. Our detection report includes: pressure test results confirming active water loss, detection method used, thermal imagery or acoustic mapping showing leak location, and technician certification information.
Here's exactly how a Masters Plumbing Service leak detection call plays out.
We start at the meter. All fixtures off, we watch the meter for 10 minutes. Movement confirms active water loss from the supply side. We also check for any visible evidence — water stains, soft floors, moisture readings with a moisture meter at suspect wall surfaces.
We isolate the supply system into zones — hot side, cold side, and if possible, individual branches — and pressure-test each zone to determine which branch is losing water. This narrows the area of active search significantly before detection equipment is deployed.
Within the isolated zone, we deploy thermal imaging first — scanning walls, floors, and ceilings for moisture anomalies. Then acoustic equipment confirms the specific pipe location and narrows it to the tightest possible point. Tracer gas is added if acoustic results aren't conclusive.
Insurance claims: the report is formatted to support a claim for water damage from a concealed leak. We can provide supplemental documentation on request.

My water bill doubled over three months with no change in usage. Masters Plumbing Service came out, confirmed the meter was moving with everything off, isolated the cold supply to the kitchen as the failing branch, and used the acoustic device on the slab to pinpoint a location 4 feet from the outside wall under the kitchen floor. The repair crew opened a 10-inch circle in the tile, found a pinhole in a copper elbow exactly where detection said it would be. I was skeptical acoustic detection was that precise — it was.
Our insurance company required professional leak detection documentation before approving the claim. Masters Plumbing Service's written report with pressure test data and thermal imagery was exactly what the adjuster needed. Claim approved. The detection cost was covered as part of the claim.
Pool was losing 2 inches of water per day — more than evaporation could explain. Masters Plumbing Service pressure-tested the plumbing circuit, isolated the issue to the return line, and ran acoustic detection along the line path to find the failure at a union fitting under the decking. Repair required pulling one deck board instead of the exploratory digging another company had proposed. Excellent, focused work.

Masters Plumbing Service provides professional Leak Detection for residential and commercial properties throughout Newry and the surrounding Newry, SC service area. Detection appointments available most weekdays and Saturdays.

Masters Plumbing Service's detection team finds hidden leaks in Newry homes and commercial properties using equipment that eliminates guesswork. The detection appointment pays for itself the moment it prevents one unnecessary wall opening.
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