Full pressure test
We isolate the supply, drain, and irrigation loops with a hydrostatic test kit and pressure testing gauge. A 15-minute hold tells us which system is leaking before we bring in the electronics.
Licensed
Licensed & Bonded
Fully Insured
Insured & Bonded
24/7 Emergency
Same-Day Response
Warranty Backed
Workmanship Guaranteed in santa ana
What our Electronic Leak Detection includes
Every electronic leak detection service Santa Ana CA call includes the full diagnostic package below. Repair is quoted separately so you can decide whether to use us or your own contractor.
Electronic sweep and confirmation
We sweep the slab or yard with an ultrasonic leak detector and acoustic listening disc, then confirm with a FLIR thermal imaging infrared camera or moisture meter. Two methods, one marked location.
Written report with photos
You get a report showing the leak location, pipe material, depth, and photos of the readings. It is written so any licensed plumber can pick it up and make the repair without re-diagnosing.
Marked dig or cut spot
We tape and paint the exact spot on your floor or ground. That mark keeps the repair to one small access hole instead of exploratory demolition across the room.
Repair quote on the spot
If you want us to fix it, we quote the repair before we leave. Most slab and underground repairs are done in one to two days with warrantied parts and a post-repair pressure test.
Electronic Leak Detection in santa ana explained
Electronic Leak Detection in santa ana is a non-invasive diagnostic service that pinpoints hidden water and gas leaks using sound, heat, pressure, and tracer gas instead of demolition. We pressurize the line, sweep the slab or yard with an ultrasonic leak detector and acoustic listening disc, then confirm the exact spot with a thermal imaging infrared camera or moisture meter. Most residential jobs take two to four hours, and you get a marked location plus a written report before any repair begins.
Santa Ana homes built before 1980 often still run copper pipe under the slab, and that copper corrodes from the outside in after decades of Orange County's hard water. We see pinhole leaks in Floral Park bungalows, water main leaks near South Coast Metro, and irrigation line failures in Park Santiago yards. If you are searching for electronic leak detection near me Santa Ana CA, we cover every ZIP from 92701 to 92707 and can usually be on site the same day you call.
How our leak detection process works
Five steps from the first phone call to a marked, verified leak location. No guesswork, no surprise demolition.
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Schedule
Call or book online — a real human picks up and confirms a 2-hour arrival window.
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Diagnose
Licensed tech inspects on-site, then walks you through the cause and your options.
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Fix
The job is completed to code and done right the first time — no shortcuts, no surprises.
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Guarantee
Every job backed by a written workmanship warranty — and we stand behind it.
Tools and methods we use
Tools & Equipment
Ultrasonic leak detector
Listens for the high-frequency hiss of pressurized water escaping a pipe. It is our first pass on slab leaks and underground lines.
Acoustic listening disc
Placed on the floor or ground to amplify the sound of the leak through concrete and soil. Pairs with the ultrasonic detector for confirmation.
FLIR thermal imaging infrared camera
Reads temperature differences on floors and walls to reveal hot water leaks and hidden moisture without opening anything up.
Tracer gas detector
For gas lines and non-pressurized drains. We introduce a safe tracer gas and follow it to the break with a Sewerin or INFICON detector.
Pipeline inspection camera
A drain camera that shows root intrusion, cracked PVC pipe, and offset joints inside sewer and drain lines.
Moisture meter and soil probe
Confirms how far water has spread under a slab or behind a wall, and whether the leak is still active.
Hydrostatic test kit and pressure testing gauge
Isolates the supply, drain, and irrigation loops so we know which system is leaking before we sweep.
Methods & Standards
Two-method confirmation
We never mark a leak off a single reading. Acoustic plus thermal, or acoustic plus tracer gas, gets us within two to four inches on copper pipe and PEX tubing, which is tight enough for one small access hole.
Zone isolation
We shut off fixtures and valves to isolate the supply side, drain side, and irrigation loop. That step alone tells us whether we are chasing a slab leak, a water main leak, or a sprinkler break.
California Plumbing Code compliance
Every repair we make follows the California Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code, with IAPMO-certified fittings and materials. When a repair touches the main, we pull the City of Santa Ana building permit.
Post-repair pressure test
After any repair we re-pressurize the line and hold it to confirm the leak is gone. You get the test result in writing before we pack up.
When to call for electronic leak detection
01
You just got a water bill that is $100 or more higher than last month and nothing changed at home.
What we do: We start with a pressure test to see if the leak is on the supply side, then sweep the slab and yard with electronic gear. Most hidden leaks show up in the first 90 minutes of the visit.
→ You get a marked leak location and a repair quote the same day, and the meter stops spinning once the line is isolated.
02
Your floor feels warm in one spot, or you hear water running when everything is off.
What we do: That is a classic slab leak signal. We confirm it with acoustic listening and thermal imaging, then mark the spot within a few inches so the repair is one small access hole.
→ One cut instead of a trench, and the repair is usually finished in one to two days with a post-repair pressure test.
03
You are buying or selling a santa ana home built before 1980 with original copper pipe.
What we do: We run a full electronic leak detection service Santa Ana CA inspection: pressure test, slab sweep, moisture mapping, and a written report you can attach to the disclosure packet.
→ Buyer and seller both know the condition of the plumbing before closing, which prevents a renegotiation after the inspection period.
04
Your commercial space has water pooling near a tenant door and you cannot shut down for a week.
What we do: We work after hours, scan the slab and irrigation loop with electronic tools, and give your facility manager a marked report for the repair crew.
→ Business stays open, the leak is located in one visit, and the repair is scoped to one small area instead of the whole floor.
05
Your irrigation zone is soggy and the controller runs fine, but the water bill keeps climbing.
What we do: We isolate each zone, pressure test the lateral lines, and use acoustic gear to find the break in the drip tubing or PVC pipe.
→ The broken zone is repaired and capped, and your next watering cycle runs without wasting 500 gallons a day.
How Electronic Leak Detection runs in santa ana
Santa Ana sits on a mix of old and new housing stock, and that shapes every leak call. Pre-1980 homes in Floral Park, French Park, and Wilshire Square usually have copper pipe under the slab, and Orange County's hard water eats that copper from the inside out. We see pinhole leaks, hot spots on the floor, and foundation cracks from slow slab leaks in those neighborhoods almost every week. Newer builds near South Coast Metro tend to run PEX tubing, where failures cluster at pipe fittings and manifolds instead. Summer here pushes irrigation systems hard, so underground irrigation leaks and sprinkler system leaks spike from June through September. Winter rain does not freeze lines, but it does saturate soil and expose water main leaks that were already there. When you call for electronic leak detection for underground pipes Santa Ana California, we bring a pipe and line locator, soil probe, and tracer gas detector because you cannot hear a leak through wet clay the way you can through dry soil. We know the ZIP codes, the soil, and the pipe materials, and that is why we usually find the leak in one visit.
Neighborhoods We Serve
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Floral Park
Historic 1920s bungalows with original copper under the slab. Pinhole leaks and slab leaks are our most common calls here.
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South Coast Metro
Commercial and newer residential builds with PEX tubing. Failures cluster at manifolds, fittings, and irrigation loops.
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Park Santiago
Larger lots with mature landscaping and older irrigation systems. Underground line breaks and sprinkler leaks are routine.
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Downtown Santa Ana
Mixed-use and older commercial buildings where slab leaks and sewer line root intrusion show up together.
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Sandpointe
Coastal-influenced soil stays damp longer, which makes acoustic readings trickier and tracer gas more useful.
Local Conditions We Plan For
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Hard water from Orange County aquifers
Mineral buildup corrodes copper pipe from the inside, so pinhole leaks and slab leaks are more common here than in softer-water regions.
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Expansive clay soil
Soil movement stresses underground lines and can crack PVC pipe and water mains, especially after a wet winter followed by a dry summer.
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Hot, dry summers
Irrigation systems run daily from June to September, which is when we get the most sprinkler system and drip tubing leak calls.
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Pre-1980 slab-on-grade construction
Copper supply lines are buried in concrete, so electronic leak detection is the only way to find a break without demolition.
Slab leak in a Floral Park bungalow
Problems Electronic Leak Detection in santa ana solves
Most leaks we get called for fall into five buckets. Here is what they look like and what happens if you wait.
Problem
Water bill jumped with no visible leak
A hidden pinhole or slab leak can waste 10,000 gallons a month and add $80 to $200 to your bill while it quietly undermines your foundation.
Our Fix
We pressure test the system, then use electronic water leak detection Santa Ana tools to find the break. Most hidden leaks are located in under two hours and isolated the same day.
Problem
Hot spot on the floor or warm tile
A hot spot means hot water is escaping under the slab. Left alone, it softens soil, causes foundation cracks, and can cost $5,000 or more to fix.
Our Fix
Electronic slab leak detection Santa Ana California confirms the break within a few inches. We mark it, then tunnel or reroute the line so your floor stays intact.
Problem
Meter spinning with all fixtures off
That is a water main leak or underground line failure. It runs 24/7, erodes soil, and can flood your yard or driveway without warning.
Our Fix
We trace the line with a pipe and line locator and confirm the break with acoustic gear. Then we repair or replace the line in copper or PEX tubing and retest it.
Problem
Musty smell or stain on a wall
Slow in-wall leaks feed mold growth within 48 to 72 hours. By the time you smell it, the drywall and framing are usually already wet.
Our Fix
Thermal imaging and a moisture meter find the source without opening the wall. We repair the line, then you can dry and patch the drywall once it is dry.
Problem
Pool losing water faster than evaporation
A pool losing an inch a day can waste 20,000 gallons a month and damage the deck and surrounding soil.
Our Fix
We pressure test the pool loop and use acoustic gear to find the break in the buried returns or skimmer line, then mark the dig spot for a one-hole repair.
Why santa ana homeowners choose electronic leak detection
Finding the leak is half the battle. Here is what you get when you call us instead of a jackhammer crew.
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No unnecessary demolition
We mark the leak within a few inches before anyone cuts concrete. That means one small access hole instead of a trench across your living room, which typically saves $1,500 to $4,000 in concrete and flooring repair on a slab leak job in santa ana.
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Lower water bills fast
A pinhole leak can waste 10,000 gallons a month and push your bill up $80 to $200. Once we locate it with electronic water leak detection Santa Ana, we isolate the line the same day so the meter stops spinning and the next bill reflects the fix.
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Protects your foundation
Water under a slab softens soil and causes foundation cracks that cost $5,000 and up to repair. Catching a slab leak early with electronic slab leak detection Santa Ana California keeps the soil stable and your foundation warranty intact.
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Works on any pipe material
Copper pipe, PEX tubing, CPVC pipe, PVC pipe, and ABS pipe all respond to our acoustic and thermal tools. We also carry a pipeline inspection camera and tracer gas detector for sewer and gas lines that do not hold water pressure.
Licensed, insured, and reviewed
Licensed & Certified
- California C-36 Plumbing Contractor License — issued by California State License Board (CSLB)
- Backflow Tester Certification — issued by Orange County Water District approved program
- ASSE Standard Compliance — issued by American Society of Sanitary Engineering
- OSHA Safety Compliance — issued by Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- EPA WaterSense Partner Practices — issued by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Verified Reviews
Google ★★★★★4.9
They found a slab leak in our Floral Park home in under two hours and marked it within a few inches. One small hole, repair done the next day. Water bill is back to normal.
Yelp ★★★★★4.8
Called at 11 p.m. with water coming up in the garage. Tech was here in about 75 minutes, isolated the main, and came back in the morning for the full electronic scan. Flat price, no surprises.
BBB ★★★★★4.9
We manage a retail strip in South Coast Metro. They used thermal imaging and acoustic gear to trace the leak to an irrigation line instead of the slab. Saved us thousands in concrete work.
Google ★★★★★5.0
Honest pricing and they actually showed us the readings on the screen. Found a pinhole leak in our copper pipe that two other plumbers missed. Highly recommend for electronic leak detection in santa ana.
Frequently Asked Questions
Real answers to the questions we hear most often from local homeowners and property managers.
How much does electronic leak detection cost in Santa Ana CA?
Most residential jobs run $250 to $550 in 2026, depending on whether we are scanning a slab, a yard, or a commercial building. That price covers the pressure test, the electronic sweep, and the written report. Repair is quoted separately, and we waive the detection fee if we cannot locate the leak.
What equipment is used for electronic leak detection?
We use an ultrasonic leak detector, acoustic listening disc, thermal imaging infrared camera, electronic leak detection wand, moisture meter, and pressure testing gauge. For gas and sewer lines we add a tracer gas detector and pipeline inspection camera. Brands on our trucks include RIDGID, Fluke, Milwaukee Tool, FLIR, Sewerin, Gutermann, and INFICON.
Is electronic leak detection accurate on slab leaks?
Yes. On slab leaks we confirm the location with at least two methods, usually acoustic listening plus thermal imaging, before we mark the floor. That dual confirmation gets us within two to four inches of the leak on copper pipe and PEX tubing, which is tight enough for a single small access hole.
Does electronic leak detection work for underground lines in California?
It does. For underground pipes Santa Ana California, we combine a pipe and line locator with a soil probe and tracer gas detector to trace the line and find the break without digging up the whole yard. Irrigation drip tubing, water main leaks, and pool plumbing leaks are all common calls for us in Orange County.
Related Services
Leak Detection
Our general leak detection service covers the full property, from the meter to the last fixture. Electronic Leak Detection in santa ana is the diagnostic step inside that service, and we often pair the two on older homes with multiple suspected leaks.
View Leak DetectionWater Leak Detection
Water leak detection focuses on supply and drain lines inside the home. We use electronic water leak detection Santa Ana tools to isolate the leak before it damages drywall, cabinets, or flooring, then repair the line the same day whenever parts allow.
View Water Leak DetectionSlab Leak Detection
Slab leaks are our most common electronic call in santa ana. Electronic slab leak detection Santa Ana California pinpoints the break under the concrete so we can tunnel or reroute instead of jackhammering the whole room. Most slab repairs are done in one to two days.
View Slab Leak DetectionPool Leak Detection
A pool losing an inch of water a day is usually a plumbing leak, not evaporation. We pressure test the pool loop and use acoustic gear to find breaks in buried returns and skimmer lines, then coordinate the repair with your pool service.
View Pool Leak DetectionSewer Line Leak Detection
Sewer leaks do not hold water pressure, so we switch to a pipeline inspection camera and tracer gas detector. We locate root intrusion, cracked PVC pipe, and offset joints, then give you a camera recording and a repair quote.
View Sewer Line Leak DetectionGas Leak Detection
If you smell gas, leave the building and call us from outside. We use a tracer gas detector and combustible gas meter to find the leak at the fitting, valve, or underground line, then make the repair code-correct under California Plumbing Code.
View Gas Leak DetectionContact Planet Plumbing
Call us at 714-844-9877 or email info@planetplumbing.com. We answer the phone 24/7 for emergencies and schedule same-day appointments for most leak detection calls in Santa Ana. Our office is at 1234 W 1st St, Santa Ana, CA 92703. We look forward to helping you.
Planet Plumbing
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Phone
7148449877 -
Address
1240 S Wright St, Santa Ana, CA 92705
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Hours
Mon–Fri: 7AM – 7PM
Sat: 8AM – 4PM
Sun: Emergency Only
24/7 Emergency Available