We probably have a slab leak as hearing water running under sinks and near tubs but none on in house and we don't see any water anywhere inside or outside. Water running sound stops if main water shut off. But it comes back if someone turns on water in either bathroom although quiet until then when main water turned back on. Is there new technology to find leak exaxtly? Please give recommendations. Thanks.

Have you isolated it to one section of the piping? For example: from the meter to the ball valve located where the water pipe enters your home? Or from that ball valve to the interior of the home? Is your water rolled in copper under the slab and coming up into the walls? These rolled in systems are designed to keep the fittings above the slab, to remove soldered joints under the slab as a possible leak location. I don't know the answer your question regarding new technology. Someone that does leak detection can answer you. Before you call them out you need to be certain no faucets, shower/tub valves, hosebibs or angle stops are leaking through, otherwise you are _issing into the wind.

Hi and thanks so much for replying. No, we have not determined what part of property has the leak as we still have the old gate valve that shuts off water supply to house. It does turn now though and hadn't for twenty years according to husband. Since everyone seemed to think that gate valve might leak even when off, husband has just been turning main water off at night to get rid of the annoying sounds of water running under both bathroom faucets and bath tub spouts and to prevent a future astronomical water bill here. Does that mean we have four leaks? I have ruled out that no more water leaking outside of house as areas in question have had the PVC capped in those areas by husband now. He is great with PVC pipe but hesitates on the copper inside and all the old valves here. The only area of PVC I can't determine if still maybe a problem is the front water sprinklers. About three months ago I told husband of suspected leak there and he dug it up to find tree roots had bent the PVC and created a leak so that is why water pressure there wasn't full. He replaced it and it seemed like that problem had been fixed and front lawn not brown anywhere with not that much watering at night. I must admit that we never saw a water leak there either but I just suspected it. I am very water conscious here and recycle even the laundry water so this running water sound is really bothering me. About a month ago, husband took kitchen faucet apart to try to replace part Price Phister sent to make pull out part have stream and spray water option. He couldn't install it as he said stem part it required work on to install could break off and then we would have no water in kitchen unless new faucet. So it is very true that we have a bucket list here of questionable faucets, valves, sprinklers, rose drips etc. But we don't have any obvious water leaking anywhere so how could it be that the sound of running water is so apparent even when all water is turned off? Could something simple in those questionable items actually cause the sound of running water even when water off? Thanks for any help on all of this. I agree that if we can't figure approximately where on property the leak is we are doing what you said in the wind.



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It is "old technology" but you cannot afford the $40,000.00 to buy it for just one leak. Call a leak detection specialist.

You said, "It does turn now though and hadn't for twenty years according to husband."

You must understand that gate valves historically fail because the brass stem and the gate stop working because it is corroded and the stem, even though you can turn it, is not opening or closing the gate. This is why you need to replace the gate with a ball valve. Just do it so you will find out on which side of the valve the leak is on.


Also you said, "Does that mean we have four leaks?" There is no way of knowing until you take care of the above step."

Also you say, "I have ruled out that no more water leaking outside of house as areas in question have had the PVC capped in those areas by husband now." How can you rule this out when the leak may be traveling down through the earth, depending on the soil type you have, for example clay does not drain near as easy as sand.

All Plumbing requires maninenance and it sounds like you have deferred that responsibility. When a homeowner does that they invite costly leaks. You need to establish a relationship with a contractor that can locate leaks. Do your homework and Google the topic so you can be smart about who you choose. So I suggest you locate where the leak is and get it fixed. Then you can worry about replacing faucets or rebuilding them to keep the cost of water down. You are certainly not alone. All over the country folks are just beginning to understand the value of water and that it is a limited resource. We feel it right now in California. You are on the right track to learn about your systems and then monitor what is happening. Good luck.