Acoustic Leak Detection
Electronic listening equipment picks up the sound of pressurised water escaping a pipe, so the leak can be pinpointed through floors and walls.
Detection Methods · Alhambra, CA
Tracer Gas Leak Detection in Alhambra, CA
Some leaks are too small, too deep or too quiet for acoustic equipment. Tracer gas leak detection tackles those: the line is drained and filled with a tracer gas mixture, the gas escapes through the leak opening, rises through soil, slab or flooring, and a sensitive detector at the surface identifies exactly where it is coming out.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · Serving Alhambra & the San Gabriel Valley
Signs you may need this service
- A confirmed leak that acoustic listening could not locate
- Very small, slow water loss shown by the meter
- A leak under a slab, driveway or landscaped area
- Repeated leaks where the exact point matters before repair
Individual symptoms do not always prove a leak — they justify a proper investigation, which is what this service provides.
What this service investigates
Pressurised supply lines — including under-slab and underground runs — where the leak is small, deep or acoustically silent, and empty or drainable pipework.
Who it is for
- Homes where acoustic testing confirmed a leak but not its location
- Properties with under-slab or under-driveway supply lines
- Cases where avoiding unnecessary excavation matters most
How the process works
1
Isolate and drain the suspect line, then connect the tracer gas supply.
2
Pressurise the line with the tracer gas mixture at a controlled test pressure.
3
Sweep the surface above the pipe route with an electronic gas detector.
4
Mark the point of strongest gas concentration and cross-check against the pipe layout before reporting.
Equipment & methods
Tracer gas (a hydrogen/nitrogen forming-gas mixture as described on the existing service information), electronic hydrogen leak detector, and pressure monitoring.
What affects the diagnosis
The line must be capable of being isolated, drained and pressurised. Very deep leaks, heavy surface coverings and strong wind outdoors can disperse the gas and widen the indicated area. Gas composition and safety handling are confirmed on site before the test — ask us if you have any concern.
What you receive
The marked point of strongest detection, an explanation of the test readings, and advice on the smallest practical repair opening.
Read more: our guide related to tracer gas leak detection · All services · Service areas
Tracer Gas Leak Detection FAQs
Is tracer gas safe?
The forming-gas mixture used for leak detection is non-flammable at the concentrations used, non-toxic and widely used for this purpose. The technician confirms the mixture and handling on site, and the area is ventilated as part of the process.
Why use gas instead of listening equipment?
Gas finds leaks that make almost no sound — pinhole leaks, low-pressure leaks and leaks in plastic pipe that carries sound poorly. It is a complement to acoustic work, not a replacement for it.
Does the water need to be turned off?
Yes, for the tested line. That line is isolated and drained for the test, which is why the visit is planned with you in advance where possible.
How precise is it?
The detector reads gas concentration, which normally peaks directly above the escape point. Surface conditions can spread the reading, and that uncertainty is explained honestly with the result.
Related services
Pipeline Pressure Testing
Isolating a line and monitoring its pressure confirms whether it leaks, and which section — hot or cold, inside or outside — is responsible.
Underground Main Line Leak Detection
Pinpointing leaks in the buried service line between the water meter and your home — without digging up the yard to search.
Think you have a hidden leak?
The sooner a leak is confirmed and located, the less water is wasted and the less damage spreads. Call now, or send a short request and describe what you are seeing.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · 1065 Westminster Ave, Alhambra, CA 91803