A high water bill with no visible leak
If your bill jumps and your habits haven't changed, water may be leaving through a line you never see.
Water Line Leak Detection in Orange, CA
Your water bill doubled. The meter's leak dial keeps spinning even with every tap off. Maybe there's a soggy patch in the lawn that never dries. The leak may be in the buried line between your meter and your house.
We find underground water line leaks for Orange homeowners and property owners. We trace the line and pinpoint the leak from above ground, so only one small spot needs to be dug, not your whole yard or driveway.
- Find out if the leak is outside, under the slab, or inside the walls
- Pinpoint the spot instead of trenching the whole line
- Know if it's on your side of the meter or the city's
- Answered 24/7 at a local 714 number. Licensed, insured and certified
Tell us what your meter and bill are doing. We'll explain what the inspection involves before you book.
Quick answer
What Is Water Line Leak Detection?
Water line leak detection finds leaks in the buried pipe that carries water from your meter to your home, also called the service line or main water line. These leaks often show up only as a high bill, a moving meter, or a wet spot in the yard. Pros confirm the leak with a meter and pressure test, trace the pipe's path, and then listen through the ground to pinpoint it.
Why a Buried Line Leak Is Easy to Miss
A leak in your yard line doesn't drip on your floor. The water soaks into the soil, so you may never see it. Sometimes it runs off into a storm drain or under a driveway. The only clue may be your bill.
That's why we start with the meter and work outward:
- Is water leaving the system? A meter check with everything off tells us.
- Is the leak outside or inside? Shutting the main valve at the house and watching the meter separates the yard line from everything inside.
- Where is the line, and where on it is the leak? A locator traces the pipe. A ground microphone finds the sound of water escaping.
Our team is professional and experienced in this kind of testing, and we explain each step as we go.
How every visit works
- ListenWhat you have noticed
- TestMeter and pressure
- PinpointNarrow it to the spot
- ExplainOptions in plain words
Warning signs
Signs Your Water Line May Be Leaking
The meter moves when all water is off
Turn off every faucet, toilet, appliance and sprinkler. If the meter's leak indicator still turns, water is going somewhere.
A wet, soggy or extra-green patch in the yard
A strip of lawn that stays wet or grows greener than the rest, even in dry weather, can sit right above a leaking line.
Water near the meter box
Water pooling in or around the meter box can mean a leak at the meter connection or on the line right after it.
Lower water pressure through the whole house
When water escapes before it reaches your home, every faucet can feel weaker.
Cracks, dips or damp spots on a driveway or walkway
Water under concrete can wash out soil and leave damp spots or small sinks in the surface.
Meter still moving with everything off? Call (714) 439-5275. A buried leak runs day and night, and you pay for every gallon.
Water bubbling up from the ground or flooding near the house? Turn off the main valve and see what to do in a water leak emergency.
Common causes
What Causes Underground Water Line Leaks?
01
Age and corrosion
Large parts of Orange were built in the 1950s to early 1970s, and many homes in Old Towne before 1920. Service lines that have never been replaced may be worn thin by age.
02
Shifting soil
Soil settles and moves over time. A buried pipe held in one spot can crack or pull apart at a joint.
03
Tree and plant roots
Roots grow toward water. They can wrap around a line or press into a weak joint.
04
High water pressure
Pressure that runs too high strains every joint and fitting on the line.
05
Damage from digging or heavy loads
Past yard work, fence posts or heavy vehicles over a shallow line can damage it, sometimes years before it leaks.
Our process
How We Find a Leak in Your Water Line
- 1
We start with your meter and bill
When did the bill go up? Is there a wet spot? This tells us where to start.
- 2
We confirm the leak at the meter
With all water off, we check the meter's leak indicator.
- 3
We split outside from inside
We close the main valve at the house. If the meter still moves, the leak is in the yard line. If it stops, the leak is inside, and we test there instead, including under the slab.
- 4
We trace the line
A pipe locator follows the line from the meter to the house so we know its real path, even under lawns, planters and concrete.
- 5
We pinpoint the leak
A ground microphone listens along the line for the sound of escaping water. Where needed, tracer gas helps find very small leaks.
- 6
We mark it and explain your options
We mark the spot and explain what we found, including whose side of the meter it's on. If you want, we can also take care of the repair.
Want to know where your water is going? Call (714) 439-5275 or request a water line inspection.
Equipment
Tools for Finding Buried Line Leaks
Meter checks and pressure test gauges
They confirm water is leaving the system and show which part of the system is losing pressure.
Pipe and line locators
They trace where the buried line actually runs, so we don't search the wrong path.
Ground microphones and acoustic listening devices
They amplify the sound of water escaping a pressurized pipe through soil, grass and concrete.
Tracer gas
For very small or quiet leaks, a safe gas is put into the drained line and detected where it comes up through the ground.
Why Pinpoint the Leak Before Anyone Digs?
- One small hole, not a trench. Lawns, planters and driveways stay mostly intact.
- The bill comes back down. A buried leak can waste water every hour. Finding it ends that.
- Protect your foundation and driveway. Water washing out soil under concrete can cause cracks and settling.
- Know whose problem it is. A located leak shows if it's on your side of the meter or the provider's.
Before you dig, call us first: (714) 439-5275.
Why choose us
Why Orange Homeowners Call Clearcrest for Water Line Leaks
We know how water is delivered here
Most of Orange gets its water from the City of Orange Water Division, and parts of East Orange from the East Orange County Water District. We help you figure out which side of the meter the problem is on.
We test before anyone digs
Every search starts at the meter, not with a shovel.
Landlords and property managers get clear answers
A located leak makes it simple to decide what to fix.
A local 714 number, answered 24/7
Clear service terms and a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Our commitments
What You Can Count On
- Licensed, insured and certified.
- Transparent service process. You see the meter readings and the marked spot.
- Clear service terms. Read our terms.
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
- Available 24/7 at (714) 439-5275.
Licensed
Insured
Certified
How do I check my water meter for a leak?
Turn off every faucet, toilet, appliance and sprinkler. Find your meter, usually in a box near the street, and lift the lid. Look at the small leak indicator, often a triangle or star. If it turns, water is moving. Wait 15 to 30 minutes and check the reading again to be sure.
How do I know if my main water line is leaking?
The strongest sign is a meter that keeps moving after you close the main shut-off valve at the house. Wet spots in the yard and lower pressure everywhere are other clues.
Who is responsible for a leak between the meter and the house?
In most cases, the property owner. The line from the meter to your home is usually yours, and the line on the street side is usually the provider's. Check with your water provider to be sure.
Can you find a leak under my driveway without breaking it?
Usually, yes. The search is done from above with a locator and a ground microphone. If the line needs a repair, the opening is only at the marked spot, or the line can sometimes be rerouted around the driveway.
Why is my water bill high but I see no water?
A buried line can leak into the soil without ever showing on the surface. A running toilet can also cause it. A meter test tells you which.
Does homeowners insurance cover water line leaks?
It depends on your policy. Some cover the damage a leak causes but not the pipe itself, and some offer extra coverage for service lines. Check your policy or call your insurer.
How much does water line leak detection cost?
It depends on how long the line is, what's on top of it (grass, concrete, planters), and how easy the leak is to hear. Call us and we'll explain what the inspection involves before you book.
Service area
Water Line Leak Detection Across Orange
We find yard and service line leaks across Orange, from Old Towne to East Orange, and in nearby cities: Anaheim, Santa Ana, Tustin, Garden Grove and Villa Park. See all service areas.
What we do
Other Ways We Help
Slab Leak Detection
Warm floors or water running under concrete
Learn more
Hidden Water Leak Detection
Stains and damp spots in walls and ceilings
Learn more
Pipe Leak Detection
Pinhole leaks and leaking supply pipes
Learn more
Pool Leak Detection
Pools and spas losing water
Learn more
Pool Leak Repair
Fixing the pool leak once it is found
Learn more
Commercial Leak Detection
Apartments, condos and business buildings
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Emergency Leak Detection
Active leaks, day or night
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Water Leak Repair
Pipe, slab and water line repairs
Learn more
Meter Spinning or Bill Climbing?
A buried leak won't stop on its own. Call us, tell us what your meter and bill are doing, and we'll find the leak and explain your options before anyone digs.
Answered 24/7 · Licensed, insured and certified · 100% Satisfaction Guarantee