Slab Leak Detection
Acoustic listening and pressure testing find breaks under your concrete floor, so we only open up the spot that matters.
★ 4.8 Stars · 8,500+ Google Reviews · Calls answered 24/7
Leak Detection & Repair in Northern California
By the time you see a hidden leak, it's usually been working on your home for weeks. Earl's Plumbing pinpoints it with electronic leak detection — so we open up the right spot, not your whole floor — and fixes it right.
Water spraying right now? Shut off your main valve, then call (530) 343-0330 — we answer 24/7.
Earl's Plumbing finds and repairs hidden water leaks throughout Northern California, from Shasta County to Placer County, including slab leaks, leaks in walls and ceilings, and underground water line leaks.
We use electronic listening equipment and pressure testing to pinpoint the leak first, with no service call fee and a free quote before any repair.
Call or text (530) 343-0330 or schedule online.
Electronic leak detection
$0 service call fee
Slab leaks
Same-day when available
Financing (OAC)
CSLB #772565
Web-only offer
$25 OFF
Leak Detection & Repair
Mention this page when you call or text, or add "$25 web offer" when you book online.
📞 Claim by Phone 📅 Claim OnlineOffer ends this month. One per household.
💦 Burst pipe or water pouring in? Shut off your main water valve — then call us.
The main is usually where the line enters the house or at the meter by the street. We answer 24/7 and prioritize active leaks.
Signs You Have a Hidden Water Leak
Hidden leaks rarely announce themselves. These are the early warnings we see most.
A water bill that jumps for no reason
Running water sounds when everything is off
Damp, stained, or soft drywall with no visible source
Warm or damp spots on the floor — a classic slab leak sign
Low water pressure throughout the house
Musty smell or mold with no obvious cause
Try the meter test. Turn off every faucet and appliance, read your water meter, and don't use any water for two hours. Read it again. If the number moved, water is going somewhere it shouldn't — and that's when to call us.
Leak Detection & Repair Services
From a suspicious water bill to water coming through the ceiling.
Wall & Ceiling Leaks
Leaks inside walls and ceilings located before the drywall gets ruined or mold sets in.
Underground Water Line Leaks
Main line leaks between the meter and the house found and repaired. Soggy yard? This is often why.
Crawl Space Leaks
Supply and drain leaks under the house repaired before they soak insulation and subfloor.
Reroutes & Repipes
When old pipes keep leaking in new spots, a reroute or whole-house repipe stops the cycle.
Smell Gas? That's Different.
Don't call a plumber first. Leave and call 911, then PG&E. Once it's safe, see our gas line repair page.
Small Leaks Add Up Fast
A leak you can't see is still on your water bill every month.
9,300+
gallons a year wasted by the average household's leaks
3,000+
gallons a year from one faucet dripping once per second
1 in 11
homes has leaks wasting 50+ gallons every day
Source: U.S. EPA WaterSense
How Leak Detection Works
Find it first. Then fix it. No guessing, no tearing up your house to go looking.
Call, text, or book
Tell us what you're seeing and when works for you. Mention the $25 offer.
Pressure test
We test your lines to confirm there's a leak and narrow down which line it's on.
Pinpoint it
Electronic listening equipment locates the leak so we know exactly where to open up.
Free quote & repair
We show you what we found, give you repair options and a firm price, then fix it right.
★★★★★
"Working with Earl's on a leak in our home's crawl space was one of the BEST service experiences we've ever had! Everyone was so professional, from the person we initially called… to our technician himself, Travis. Travis was on time, friendly, professional and eager to get the job done. He got it done quickly and completely! He identified the exact issue and fixed it so fast."
— Chico homeowner · Crawl space leak repair · Technician: Travis
Why Homeowners Call Earl's for Leak Detection
Finding a leak is half the job. Finding it without wrecking the house is the other half.
Pinpoint, then open up
Electronic detection first means smaller holes, less flooring damage, and a smaller repair bill.
Honest repair options
Spot repair, reroute, or repipe — we tell you which makes sense for your pipes, even if it's the cheapest.
Straight talk
We tell you what we found — even if it means pointing the finger at someone else's work.
No service call fee
Free quote before any repair. No trip charge, no obligation.
24/7 for active leaks
Calls answered day or night. Same-day service when a technician is available.
Financing available
For bigger fixes like slab leak reroutes and repipes, on approved credit.
Why Northern California Homes Leak More Than You'd Think
I'll be straight with you — this isn't an easy place for pipes. Plenty of valley homes sit on concrete slabs, so the water lines run right under your floor, where a leak stays invisible until it isn't. Add mineral-heavy water that eats copper from the inside out, old galvanized steel, and the swing from valley summers to foothill winters, and pipes fail sooner than they should.
We once found a pipe that looked perfect from the outside with a pinhole you could barely see — and it had been running water under a slab for months. That's why we find the leak before we start cutting. If your pipes are past patching, we'll tell you, and we handle full house repipes too.
— Clinton EarlOwner, Earl's Plumbing · Your Friend in the Business
28
Years serving Northern CA
8,500+
Google reviews
$0
Service call fee
24/7
Calls answered
Chico 4.8 ★ · 5,039 reviews
Redding 4.8 ★ · 2,527 reviews
Yuba City 4.8 ★ · 1,002 reviews
Call or Text Your Nearest Earl's Office
Three local offices covering eight Northern California counties. Every line takes calls and texts.
Redding
Redding · Anderson · Cottonwood · Shasta Lake · Palo Cedro · Red Bluff · Corning
(530) 244-3275
Schedule Leak Detection Online — Free Quote
Book in about a minute, right here on the page. Mention "$25 web offer" in your notes and we'll apply it.
1Pick your service
2Choose a time that works
3Get a confirmation — done
Rather talk to a person? Call or text (530) 343-0330 — we answer 24/7.
Water pouring in? Don't book online — shut off your main valve and call (530) 343-0330.
Leak Detection Questions, Answered
Straight answers to what Northern California homeowners ask us most.
How do I know if I have a hidden water leak?
The most common signs of a hidden water leak are a water bill that jumps for no reason, the sound of running water when everything is off, damp or stained drywall, warm spots on the floor, low water pressure, and a musty smell. To check, turn off all water, read your meter, wait two hours, and read it again. If it moved, you likely have a leak.
How does Earl's Plumbing find a slab leak?
Earl's Plumbing finds slab leaks with electronic listening equipment and pressure testing instead of guesswork. Pressure testing confirms which line is leaking, and acoustic equipment lets the technician hear water escaping under the concrete and mark the spot. That way we only open the floor where the leak actually is, which saves your flooring and keeps the repair smaller.
How much does leak detection cost?
Earl's Plumbing gives you a free, upfront quote before any leak detection or repair work begins. Price depends on the type of leak, where it is, and how hard it is to reach. There is no service call fee, and online customers get $25 off. Financing is available on approved credit for larger repairs. Call or text (530) 343-0330.
What should I do if a pipe bursts?
If a pipe bursts, shut off your home's main water valve right away, usually found where the water line enters the house or at the meter near the street. If water is near outlets or electrical panels, stay clear and shut off power if it is safe to do so. Then call Earl's Plumbing. Calls are answered 24 hours a day.
What happens after you find a slab leak?
After Earl's Plumbing finds a slab leak, we explain your repair options and give you a free quote for each. Depending on the pipe, the fix may be a spot repair through the slab, rerouting the line through the walls or attic, or a whole-house repipe if the pipes are failing in several places. We tell you honestly which one makes sense.
How long does leak detection take?
Most leak detection appointments take one to two hours, depending on the plumbing system and the type of leak. Slab leaks can take a bit longer because the technician tests each line under the foundation. Before any repair begins, your technician walks you through what they found, shows you where the leak is, and explains what comes next.
Does Earl's Plumbing charge a service call fee for leak detection?
Earl's Plumbing charges no service call fee, ever. Straight answer: I've never liked that practice — you shouldn't have to pay just to find out what something costs. We come out, find the problem, and give you a free quote. What you do from there is up to you. No pressure, no trip charge, no gotchas. That's how we've operated since 1998.
Can Earl's Plumbing come out today, and can I text instead of calling?
Earl's Plumbing offers same-day service when a technician is available, and calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Every office line also takes texts: Chico (530) 343-0330, Redding (530) 244-3275, or Yuba City (530) 674-0330. If water is actively spraying, shut off your main valve and call rather than text.