Leak Detection & Plumbing Repair

Water Stains? Rising Bills? Damp Smell?

Leaks don't announce themselves—they hide behind walls, under slabs, and inside cabinets while quietly destroying your home.

The Tankless Plumber locates leaks fast and stops them before water damage costs multiply. Owner-operated by Andy Bello, a licensed plumber with [43/45] years in the trade—including decades of work on Boise's older homes where cast-iron stacks, galvanized transitions, and tight crawlspaces make leak detection tricky.

📞 Call/Text: 208-995-6791
Active leak? Call now—we'll walk you through emergency shutoff.

Common Leak Scenarios We Handle

Visible Leaks

• Water heater leaks (fittings, pressure relief valve, tank corrosion)

• Toilet leaks (wax ring failure, supply line, tank bolts)

• Faucet/valve leaks (under-sink supply lines, shutoff valves, cartridge leaks)

• Fixture leaks (shower valve, tub spout, lavatory pop-up drains)

• Appliance supply lines (washing machine, dishwasher, ice maker)

Hidden Leaks (Detective Work Required)

• Slab leaks (hot water lines under concrete—common in 1970s-1980s Boise homes)

• Wall cavity leaks (shower valve bodies, drain lines, supply risers)

• Crawlspace leaks (older galvanized/copper transitions, frost damage)

• Irrigation backflow into potable lines (cross-connection = spiking bills)

• Running toilets (flapper failure = 200 gallons/day wasted = $50+/month)

Leak Symptoms That Bring People to Us

• Water stains on ceilings, walls, or cabinets

• Damp/musty smell (especially basements, crawlspaces, under sinks)

• Water bill spike with no usage change

• Meter spinning when all fixtures are off

• Low water pressure (leak diverting flow before it reaches fixtures)

• Wet spots in yard, driveway cracks, or foundation settling

• Sound of running water when everything is shut off

How We Find + Fix Leaks

Step 1: Rapid Triage (Fast Wins First)

• Visual inspection of fixtures, water heater, visible supply lines

• Meter test (all water off → meter still moving = active leak)

• Isolate zones (shut off sections to narrow leak location)

• Listen for hissing, dripping, or flow sounds

Step 2: Diagnostic Testing (When Leak Is Hidden)

• Pressure testing (pressurize sections to reveal weak points)

• Isolation testing (shut off hot vs. cold, main floor vs. basement)

• Acoustic detection (listen for flow in walls/slabs)

• Thermal imaging (cold spots from active water = leak zone)

Diagnostic fee: $[XX] (applied to repair if you proceed)
Free estimates: For visible leaks with obvious access

Step 3: Options + Repair Scope

Before we cut drywall or break concrete, you'll know:

• What failed (pipe material, fitting type, age-related vs. defect)

• Access requirements (can we fix through cabinet? or need wall cut?)

• Repair cost vs. strategic re-pipe (if multiple failures likely)

• Restoration scope (what's included, what's separate)

Step 4: Execute + Verify

• Approved repairs only (no scope creep without discussion)

• Leak-free verification (pressure test, meter test, visual inspection)

• Cleanup + work area protection (drop cloths, cardboard, vacuum)

What's Included

Every leak detection visit includes:

• Targeted inspection (meter test, visual survey, isolation testing)

• Leak source identification (or honest assessment if more invasive testing needed)

• Repair options presented upfront (cost, access, timeline)

• Approved repairs completed (parts + labor)

• Post-repair verification (leak-free check + meter test)

Typical leak repairs included in base service:

• Supply line replacement (braided flex, compression fittings)

• Shutoff valve replacement (under-sink, toilet, water heater)

• Faucet cartridge/seal replacement

• Toilet wax ring, tank bolts, flapper replacement

• Water heater pressure relief valve, drain valve

• Accessible pipe section replacement (copper/PEX transition)

What's NOT Included (Unless Quoted Separately)

• Drywall/tile removal + restoration (we make clean access cuts; you hire drywall contractor or we quote separately)

• Mold remediation (if leak has been active >72 hours, specialist required)

• Large-scale re-pipe (if multiple sections failing, whole-house re-pipe quoted separately)

• Slab excavation (foundation-access leaks require specialist equipment; we can coordinate)

• Irrigation system leaks (separate scope unless backflow-related)

Typical Time Windows

Emergency situations: Active flooding? Call immediately. We'll walk you through shutoff and prioritize your visit (same-day or next-day in most cases).

Customer Prep Checklist

✅ Note when you see water (after showers? overnight? when washer runs?)
✅ Clear access to affected area, main water shutoff, and meter
✅ Take photos of stains, wet spots, meter reading
✅ Secure pets (we'll be accessing multiple areas)
✅ Know your main shutoff location (we'll verify, but saves time)

Meter test you can do before we arrive:

1. Shut off all water (faucets, toilets, appliances, irrigation)

2. Go to your water meter (usually front yard, green plastic lid)

3. Watch the meter dial or digital readout for 10 minutes

4. If it moves at all = active leak somewhere

What You Get

✔ Leak found and stopped—not just patched
✔ Clear plan if access/restoration work is needed
✔ No surprise costs—diagnostic fee disclosed upfront, repair quoted before work
✔ Workmanship warranty—[X years] on labor

Why Boise Homeowners Choose The Tankless Plumber for Leaks

Leak Detection for Older Boise Homes

If your home was built before 1980, you're dealing with:

• Cast-iron drain stacks (prone to rust-through at fittings)

• Galvanized supply lines (corrode from inside, low pressure = leak indicator)

• Copper-to-galvanized transitions (electrolytic corrosion)

• Slab-on-grade hot water lines (1970s-1980s construction = leak risk)

What that means for leak detection:

• We don't just find the leak—we assess if it's isolated failure or system-wide aging

• We'll tell you if spot repair makes sense or if strategic re-piping prevents repeat visits

• We protect hardwood floors, tile work, and original finishes during access and repair

Service Area — Treasure Valley

Boise (North End, East End, Bench, Downtown, Foothills) • Meridian • Eagle • Kuna • Star • Nampa • Caldwell • Middleton • Nearby Treasure Valley communities

FAQ — Leak Detection + Plumbing Repairs

Q: How do I know if I have a hidden leak?
A: Run the meter test (instructions above). If your meter moves with all water off, you have an active leak. Other signs: unexplained bill spike (20%+ increase), damp smell, stains, low pressure.

Q: Should I shut off water immediately?
A: Yes, if:

• Actively leaking/flooding (shut main valve + call us)

• Water near electrical (shut main valve + call electrician + call us)

• Staining/damage spreading (shut section valve if possible)

If minor drip: You can wait for scheduled visit, but place bucket/towels to prevent damage.

Q: What's the main water shutoff, and where is it?
A: Usually one of these locations:

• Basement/crawlspace: Near where main line enters house (copper/PEX line from street)

• Garage: On exterior wall near water heater

• Exterior: Valve box in front yard near meter (requires special key)

Turn clockwise to close. If stuck, don't force—call us.

Q: Do you repair what you find?
A: Yes, if:

• Accessible (under sink, behind access panel, exposed crawlspace)

• Within approved scope (you've approved the repair quote)

• Parts available (common valves, fittings, flex lines = same-visit; specialty parts = return visit)

No, if:

• Major access required (drywall/tile removal beyond clean access cut)

• Structural concerns (rotten subfloor, mold, foundation issues = specialist)

• Outside scope (irrigation, well systems, municipal main line)

Q: What if the leak is behind drywall or tile?
A: We'll:

1. Pinpoint leak location (minimize access cuts)

2. Explain access options (smallest opening possible)

3. Make clean cut, complete repair, verify leak-free

4. Provide photos + measurements for your drywall contractor (or quote restoration separately)

Q: How much does leak detection cost?
A:

• Visible leaks (faucet, toilet, valve): Usually free estimate (repair quoted on-site)

• Hidden leaks (wall, slab, crawlspace): $[XX] diagnostic fee (applied to repair if you proceed)

• Complex leaks (multiple zones, slab excavation): May require additional testing (quoted separately)

Q: Will you provide documentation for insurance?
A: Yes. We can provide:

• Photos of damage + leak source

• Written scope of repair work

• Itemized invoice

• Recommendations for restoration (if separate contractor needed)

Q: Can you fix slab leaks?
A: Depends. If the leak is:

• Accessible from crawlspace/basement: Yes (standard repair)

• Under concrete slab: We'll locate it, but repair may require specialist equipment (concrete coring, tunneling). We can coordinate or refer.

Q: Do you handle emergency leaks after hours?
A: [YES/NO + FEE] (placeholder—client to confirm policy)

Q: What causes most leaks in Boise homes?
A:

• Age (copper fittings fail at 40-50 years; galvanized corrodes at 30-40 years)

• Hard water (180-220 ppm = scale buildup, pressure spikes, valve failures)

• Frost damage (crawlspace pipes, exterior hose bibs in cold snaps)

• Water heater failure (pressure relief valve, tank corrosion)

• Poor repairs (compression fittings over-tightened, shark-bite fittings on hot lines)

Related Services

• Water heater leaking? — Water heater repair + replacement

• Hard water causing scale/corrosion? — Water softener service

• Toilet running/leaking? — Toilet repair + replacement

• Faucet dripping? — Faucet + valve service

📞 Call/Text: 208-995-6791
✉ Email: tanklessplumber@yahoo.com

Leak damaging your home? Let's find it and stop it.