Every slab leak detection in santa ana call includes a full diagnostic workup, not just a quick listen. Here is what you get on the first visit, and what we quote separately if a repair is needed.
We isolate hot and cold lines and attach a pressure testing gauge to confirm the leak. You see the gauge drop with your own eyes. This step takes 20 to 30 minutes and rules out fixtures, irrigation, and the main line before we focus on the slab.
An acoustic listening disc and electronic leak detection wand pick up the sound of pressurized water escaping the pipe. We walk the floor in a grid and mark the loudest point. This is how we narrow the leak to a 6-inch window.
A thermal imaging infrared camera shows hot spots on the floor from a hot water line leak. It works through tile, carpet, and wood. We use it alongside acoustic tools to confirm whether the leak is on the hot or cold side.
A pipe and line locator traces the pipe route under the slab so we know depth and direction. This prevents cutting the wrong spot and tells us whether a reroute is possible without opening the floor at all.
You get a written summary with the leak location, pipe material, test readings, and repair options with pricing. If you plan to file an insurance claim, the documentation includes photos and pressure test results your adjuster can use.
Slab Leak Detection in santa ana is the process of finding water leaks in pipes buried under your concrete foundation. We use acoustic listening discs to hear the leak, thermal imaging infrared cameras to see hot spots on the floor, and pressure testing gauges to confirm the line is losing water. A slab leak usually means a copper pipe has corroded or a fitting has failed beneath the slab. Left alone, that water erodes soil, cracks the foundation, and feeds mold growth.
Most santa ana homes we see were built between the 1950s and 1980s with copper pipe under the slab. Orange County's hard water and soil movement take a toll. You might notice hot spots on the floor, a water bill that jumped $80 in one month, or the sound of running water at 2 a.m. when every fixture is off. If you need slab leak detection service Santa Ana homeowners trust, we start with non-invasive tools and only open the floor where the data points.
You get a clear sequence, not a mystery. Here is how a typical slab leak detection service Santa Ana call runs from the first phone call to the final test.
Schedule
Call or book online — a real human picks up and confirms a 2-hour arrival window.
Diagnose
Licensed tech inspects on-site, then walks you through the cause and your options.
Fix
The job is completed to code and done right the first time — no shortcuts, no surprises.
Guarantee
Every job backed by a written workmanship warranty — and we stand behind it.
Acoustic Listening Disc
Picks up the high-frequency sound of pressurized water escaping a pipe. We walk the floor in a grid and mark the loudest point to narrow the leak to a 6-inch window.
Thermal Imaging Infrared Camera (FLIR)
Shows hot spots on the floor from a hot water line leak. Works through tile, carpet, and wood without opening anything. We use it alongside acoustic tools to confirm hot vs. cold side.
Pressure Testing Gauge
Isolates the hot and cold lines and measures pressure drop. If the gauge falls, you have a confirmed leak. This is the first test we run on every slab leak call.
Pipe and Line Locator
Traces the pipe route under the slab so we know depth and direction. Prevents cutting the wrong spot and tells us whether a reroute is possible without opening the floor.
Pipeline Inspection Camera (RIDGID)
Confirms pipe material and condition from inside the line. We use it when the pipe is accessible to verify corrosion or a failed fitting before we quote the repair.
Moisture Meter and Soil Probe
Maps how far water has spread under the slab and into walls. Tells us whether the leak is active and whether mold growth is a risk in your home.
Tracer Gas Detector (Sewerin)
Injects a safe tracer gas into the line and sniffs for it at the surface. Works where acoustic alone is inconclusive, like under thick carpet or tile.
Hydrostatic Testing
We fill the line with water and watch the pressure over 30 to 60 minutes. A steady drop confirms a slab leak and rules out fixtures. This is the same method used on commercial buildings and it is the most reliable confirmation we have.
Acoustic Correlation
Two sensors listen to the leak from different points and a correlator calculates the exact location. We use Gutermann and Sewerin gear for this. It is how we pinpoint leaks under thick slabs where a single listening disc is not enough.
Thermal Mapping
We scan the floor with a FLIR camera and map temperature differences across the slab. A hot line leak shows as a warm streak. We overlay that map with the pipe locator route to confirm the leak point.
Non-Invasive First Approach
Every job starts non-invasive: pressure, acoustic, thermal. We only open concrete after you approve the repair and we have marked the spot. That is how we keep slab leak detection cost Santa Ana CA homeowners pay as low as possible.
Code-Correct Repair
Repairs follow California Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code. We use copper pipe, PEX tubing, or CPVC pipe with Viega, Uponor, NIBCO, or SharkBite fittings, and we pull City of Santa Ana building permits when the scope requires it.
01
What we do: Shut off the main valve and call 714-844-9877. We treat it as an emergency, dispatch a technician, and use acoustic and pressure tools to find the leak the same night. We isolate the line so you can keep water on to the rest of the house.
→ You get the leak located and stopped before it floods your foundation. Most emergency calls are diagnosed within 2 hours of arrival.
02
What we do: We run a full slab leak detection service Santa Ana visit: pressure test, acoustic scan, and thermal imaging. If the leak is under the slab, we mark it and quote the repair. If it is irrigation or the main, we tell you and save you the slab work.
→ You know exactly where the water is going and what it costs to fix. No more guessing, no more overpaying the water district.
03
What we do: We perform a pre-purchase slab leak inspection Santa Ana California buyers can rely on. We pressure test, scan with acoustic and thermal tools, and give you a written report with photos. If there is a leak, you have leverage in the negotiation.
→ You walk into the purchase with facts, not fear. The report tells you whether to ask for a credit or walk away.
04
What we do: That combination points to a hot water slab leak feeding mold growth. We locate the leak with thermal imaging and acoustic tools, then repair the pipe and dry the area. We can refer a mold specialist if the growth is extensive.
→ The leak stops, the floor cools, and the moisture source is gone. You avoid a mold remediation bill that can run $3,000 or more.
santa ana sits on a mix of old and new housing stock, and that shapes every slab leak call. Homes in Floral Park and French Park were built in the 1920s and 1930s with original copper pipe under the slab. Copper corrodes from the inside, so pinhole leaks and slab leaks are common after 60-plus years. Post-war tracts in Park Santiago and Madison Park used thinner copper that is now at the end of its life. Newer builds in Sandpointe and Cornerstone Village use PEX tubing, which fails differently: at fittings and crimp rings rather than along the pipe wall. Orange County's hard water accelerates corrosion on copper, and the region's clay soil moves with wet and dry cycles, stressing buried lines. We adjust our tools to the pipe material and the era of the home. If you need foundation slab leak detection Santa Ana California homeowners can trust, we start non-invasive and only open the floor where the data points. Summer is our busiest season because irrigation leaks and higher water use expose hidden problems. Fall and winter bring hot water line leaks as heaters run more. We run 24/7 year-round across ZIP codes 92701, 92703, 92704, 92705, 92706, and 92707.
Floral Park
1920s bungalows with original copper under the slab. Pinhole leaks and slab leaks are common. We use acoustic tools that work well through original hardwood floors.
Park Santiago
Post-war tract homes with thinner copper pipe now at end of life. We often recommend PEX reroutes through the attic to avoid repeated slab openings.
South Coast Metro
Mix of commercial and residential high-rises. Slab leaks here affect tenant spaces, so we work after hours and document everything for property managers.
Sandpointe
Newer construction with PEX tubing. Leaks tend to be at fittings and manifolds rather than mid-pipe, so we pressure test zones separately.
Downtown Santa Ana
Historic buildings with a mix of copper, galvanized, and CPVC pipe. We identify the material first because repair methods differ for each.
Hard water from Orange County Water District
Mineral buildup corrodes copper pipe from the inside, causing pinhole leaks that grow into slab leaks. We see this most in homes over 40 years old.
Clay soil that expands and contracts
Wet and dry cycles move the soil under the slab, stressing pipe joints and fittings. This is a leading cause of slab leaks in santa ana's older neighborhoods.
Summer irrigation and higher water use
Irrigation leaks and slab leaks both spike in summer. We isolate the irrigation system first so you do not pay for slab work when the problem is in the yard.
Post-war copper reaching end of life
Homes built between 1950 and 1980 have copper pipe that is now 45 to 75 years old. We assess wall thickness and recommend spot repair or full reroute based on condition.
A slab leak is rarely just a wet floor. It is a water bill, a foundation risk, and a mold problem waiting to happen. Here are the calls we run most often.
Problem
A hidden slab leak can waste 10,000 gallons a month and cost you hundreds before you see a wet spot. The longer it runs, the more soil erodes under the foundation.
Our Fix
We pressure test the lines and use acoustic tools to find the leak fast. Most santa ana homeowners get a confirmed location the same day, and we quote the repair before any concrete is opened.
Problem
A hot water line leak under the slab heats the floor above it. That heat also dries and cracks the slab, and the moisture feeds mold growth in nearby walls.
Our Fix
A thermal imaging infrared camera shows the hot spot in real time. We trace the hot line with a pipe and line locator, then repair or reroute the pipe. You get a dry floor and a stable pressure reading.
Problem
That hiss is pressurized water escaping a pipe. It will not stop on its own, and shutting off the main only pauses the damage. Foundation cracks and mold follow within weeks.
Our Fix
We use an acoustic listening disc to pinpoint the sound and confirm with a pressure test. Emergency slab leak detection Santa Ana CA calls get priority dispatch, and we shut down the leak before it spreads.
Problem
Water under a slab softens the soil and causes settlement. Small cracks become structural problems, and repair costs climb fast once the foundation moves.
Our Fix
We find and fix the leak first, then document the foundation condition. Once the soil dries, we can recommend a foundation specialist if needed. Fixing the water source stops the movement from getting worse.
A slab leak never fixes itself. The sooner we pinpoint it, the less concrete you replace and the less water damage you pay for. Here is what you get when you call us.
Pinpoint Accuracy
We use acoustic listening discs and a pipe and line locator to mark the leak within 6 inches before any concrete is touched. That means one small opening instead of exploratory demolition across your living room floor. Most jobs we finish in a single visit.
No Guesswork Diagnosis
A moisture meter and thermal imaging infrared camera tell us whether the leak is on the hot or cold line, and whether it is under the slab or in a wall. You get a straight answer, not a maybe. We confirm with a hydrostatic test kit before we quote repair.
Emergency Response
Water under a slab does not wait for business hours. We run emergency slab leak detection Santa Ana CA calls 24/7, including weekends. If you shut off the main and still hear water, call 714-844-9877 and we will get a tech out same day.
Code-Correct Repairs
Every repair follows the California Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code. We pull City of Santa Ana building permits when the scope requires it, and we use materials that pass inspection: copper pipe, PEX tubing, or CPVC pipe with the right fittings and shut-off valves.
Google ★★★★★4.9
Planet Plumbing found our slab leak in under two hours after two other companies failed. They used a thermal camera and a listening disc, marked the spot, and fixed it the same day. The water bill is back to normal. Honest pricing and no pressure to replace the whole line.
Yelp ★★★★★4.8
Called at 10 p.m. with water running under the floor. They answered, walked me through shutting off the main, and had a tech out by midnight. Found the leak, repaired it, and tested it before leaving. Professional and calm under pressure.
BBB ★★★★★4.9
We manage several rental properties in santa ana and use Planet Plumbing for all slab leak calls. They document everything, work with our insurance adjusters, and never overcharge. Their reports are thorough enough for our records.
Google ★★★★★5.0
Hot spot on the floor for weeks. They used a FLIR camera, found the leak under the cabinet, and rerouted the line through the attic. No tile broken, no mess. Explained every step and left the site cleaner than they found it.
Our technicians hold California C-36 Plumbing Contractor License credentials and work under CSLB contractor license rules. We train on RIDGID and General Pipe Cleaners equipment, Fluke and FLIR thermal cameras, and Sewerin acoustic tools. We know santa ana building stock: the 1920s bungalows near Downtown, the post-war tracts in Park Santiago, and the 1980s builds in South Coast Metro. That local pattern recognition cuts diagnosis time. We follow California Plumbing Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, and IAPMO certification standards on every job, and we carry OSHA safety compliance on all sites.
Real answers to the questions we hear most often from local homeowners and property managers.
General leak detection is the parent service for slab work. If we cannot confirm the leak is under the slab, we widen the search to walls, ceilings, and fixtures. Same tools, same non-invasive approach, same santa ana coverage.
View Leak DetectionWater line leaks and slab leaks often look alike on a water bill. We isolate the main line, irrigation, and interior lines to tell you which system is losing water before we recommend slab work in your santa ana home.
View Water Leak DetectionA pool losing an inch a day can mask a slab leak or share the same soil. We test pool plumbing separately and check the surrounding slab so you do not pay for the wrong repair in South Coast Metro or Park Santiago.
View Pool Leak DetectionSewer leaks under a slab cause odor and foundation movement. We run a drain camera and pipeline inspection camera to separate sewer problems from pressure line slab leaks before any concrete is opened.
View Sewer Line Leak DetectionGas lines can run under slabs too. If you smell gas or your meter moves with everything off, we use a tracer gas detector and pressure testing to find it fast. Safety first, then repair, all under California code.
View Gas Leak DetectionUnderground leaks cover slab, yard, and main lines. We use acoustic and tracer gas methods to find buried leaks without digging up your whole yard, then mark the spot for a single targeted excavation.
View Underground Leak DetectionCall 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.
Phone
7148449877Address
1240 S Wright St, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Hours
Mon–Fri: 7AM – 7PM
Sat: 8AM – 4PM
Sun: Emergency Only
24/7 Emergency Available
