Plumber in Laguna Beach, CA

Does Done-Rite find hidden leaks in Laguna Beach homes?

Yes. Done-Rite Plumbing & Rooter uses electronic tools to find hidden leaks in walls, ceilings and under slabs for Laguna Beach customers, then repairs the pipe.

A hidden leak can run for weeks before anyone notices. By the time a stain shows up or the floor feels warm, water may have been soaking into the house for a while. Finding the exact spot matters, because it means a smaller opening and a faster repair. We also handle drains, water heaters, fixtures and full repipes, so you can keep one plumber for the whole house.

How can you tell if you have a hidden leak?

Look for a water bill that jumps for no reason, a meter that moves when every tap is off, damp or warm spots on the floor, musty smells, or the sound of running water.

A quick check you can do yourself: turn off every faucet and appliance that uses water, then look at your water meter. If the dial or leak indicator keeps turning, water is going somewhere. Our page on a spinning water meter or high water bill explains what to look for.

Which signs point to a slab leak?

• A warm spot on a tile or wood floor, often from a hot water line
• Cracks in flooring or damp carpet with no spill nearby
• Low water pressure that came on without a clear reason
• The water heater running more often than normal

Learn more in our post on slab leak warning signs.

How does electronic leak detection work?

We use listening equipment, pressure tests and sometimes thermal imaging to narrow a leak down to a small area, so we only open what we need to.

Water escaping a pressurized pipe makes a sound. Sensitive microphones pick up that sound through floors and walls. A pressure test tells us which line is losing water, such as the hot side or the cold side. Thermal cameras can show a warm spot where hot water is spreading. Together, these tools turn a guess into a target. See how electronic leak detection works for a step-by-step look, or visit our electronic leak detection page.

Why do pipes start leaking?

Pipes can wear thin over time. Water chemistry, high pressure and movement can all play a part. Copper can develop tiny pinhole leaks. Pipes under a slab can rub against concrete or gravel as the house settles. Fittings can loosen after years of heating and cooling. None of these are anyone's fault, and most are fixable once found.

What are your options after a slab leak is found?

You can repair the single spot, reroute the line above the slab, or repipe if the system has several weak points. Slab leak repair runs $500 to $3,000.

A spot repair opens the floor over the leak and fixes that section. A reroute runs a new line through walls or the attic and leaves the old one in place. If a camera or pressure test shows more damage, a whole house repipe may make more sense. That runs $18,000 to $30,000, depending on the number of bathrooms. Our slab leak repair cost guide breaks down each choice. Visit our slab leak repair page for more on the work itself.

Do you work on raised-foundation homes too?

Yes. We work on both slab-on-grade and raised-foundation homes. On a raised home, pipes run through a crawlspace, which can make leaks easier to reach.

What does it cost to find a leak?

Leak detection is priced once we know what we're looking for, since a single wall leak and a whole-slab search are very different jobs. Finding the leak first usually saves money overall, because the repair opening is smaller and there's less flooring or drywall to replace. Our leak detection cost guide covers what affects the price. Our video inspection is free, and you can save 10% on repair or replacement, up to $200.

What should you do while you wait for a plumber?

Shut off the water at the main valve if water is spreading, move valuables out of the way, and turn off the water heater if a hot line is leaking.

Knowing where your main shutoff is can save a lot of cleanup. Most are near the front of the house or close to the water meter. If a pipe has burst, our guide on what to do when a pipe bursts has a short checklist.

How do you get leak help in Laguna Beach?

Call (714) 605-2950 or reach us through our contact page. We're open 6:00am to 7:00pm every day, and our 24/7 emergency service covers urgent leaks.

Tell us what you're seeing, like a wet spot, a high bill or a sound in the wall. We'll schedule a visit, and for urgent calls we aim for a 1-hour response with no trip charge. Every repair includes at least a 1-year warranty on labor, and financing is available with terms up to 10 years. Contact Done-Rite Plumbing & Rooter to book leak detection or plumbing service in Laguna Beach.