Leak Detection & Repair in Des Moines
Hidden, slab, and pinhole leaks found fast with electronic detection — repaired before they ruin floors and drywall.
How much does it cost?
Electronic leak detection runs $150–$400 in Des Moines. The repair itself varies a lot — a simple accessible pinhole is $200–$500, a slab leak under tile is $1,500–$2,500, and a whole-home repipe is $4,000–$9,000.
What's the process?
Acoustic and electronic detection to pinpoint the leak without ripping up your house, then repair with the least invasive access possible. Insurance-friendly documentation included.
How fast can you come?
Same-day for active, gushing leaks. Detection appointments typically within 24 hours — every day a hidden leak runs, your water bill climbs and damage spreads.
Typical leak detection & repair prices in Des Moines
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Electronic leak detection | $150–$400 |
| Slab leak repair | $1,000–$3,500 |
| Whole-home PEX repipe | $4,000–$9,000 |
Planning ranges for the Des Moines metro in 2026. Your written quote depends on the equipment, access and what we find on site — you see the price before any work starts.
Found a wet spot or a high water bill? Don’t wait.
Hidden leaks are the most expensive plumbing problem in any home — not because the pipe itself is hard to fix, but because every day you don’t find it, the damage spreads. Drywall, baseboards, hardwood floors, subfloor, insulation, and eventually framing. Mold starts inside 48 hours in a wet stud bay.
Why Des Moines has more slab leaks than people expect
A surprising number of Des Moines homes are built on slab — especially mid-century ranches in Beaverdale, Urbandale, and Clive, and most newer builds in Ankeny, Waukee, and West Des Moines. Iowa’s expansive clay soil shifts with every wet-dry cycle, and that movement stresses copper lines run through or under the slab. Pinhole leaks at fittings are common after 25–30 years.
A slab leak usually shows up as a warm spot on the floor, a damp baseboard, an unexplained water bill spike, or the sound of water running when nothing is on. If you have any of those, call before you start ripping up tile.
Electronic detection saves the demo bill
The old way was to guess where the leak was and cut. The right way is acoustic listening and thermal imaging to pinpoint the leak within inches, then make one small access cut. We’ve never met a homeowner who wanted more drywall patched than less.
Galvanized pipe in older homes
If your house is pre-1970 and still has original plumbing, it’s likely galvanized steel. It corrodes from the inside, restricts water flow, and once one pinhole shows up, more are coming. Whole-home PEX repipe is invasive but final — most homes can be done in 2–3 days.
What's included
- Electronic and acoustic leak detection
- Slab leak detection and repair
- Pipe rerouting around bad sections
- PEX and copper repipes (partial or whole-home)
- Access work that respects your drywall, tile, and floors
- Insurance claim documentation and photos
- Water meter analysis for unseen leaks
- System pressure testing and verification
Signs you need leak detection & repair
- Water bill jumped with no change in usage
- Damp drywall, ceiling stains, or peeling paint
- Musty or mildew smell in a wall or floor
- Water meter spinning when nothing is running
- Low water pressure throughout the house
- Warm spot, damp spot, or mold on a slab floor
Our process
-
Call
Tell us what you're seeing — high bill, wet spot, sound of running water. We schedule detection within 24 hours, same-day for active leaks.
-
Detect
We isolate the system, listen for the leak with acoustic equipment, and use electronic sensors and thermal imaging to pinpoint location within inches. No exploratory demo.
-
Repair
Smallest possible access — cut one drywall panel, not a wall. We repair or reroute the line, pressure test, and document everything for your insurance.
-
Verify
Re-pressurize, run all fixtures, and check the meter. We confirm the leak is gone and your house is dry before we close access and clean up.
Leak Detection & Repair: frequently asked questions
How much does a slab leak cost to fix in Des Moines?
Detection runs $150–$400. The repair depends on access — if we can reroute the line above the slab (often through a basement ceiling), it's $1,000–$1,800. If we have to break the slab and tile to repair in place, plan on $2,000–$3,500 including floor restoration. Rerouting is almost always the better call.
How does electronic leak detection actually work?
We pressurize the line with air or water, then use ultra-sensitive microphones, ground sensors, and thermal cameras to find exactly where the leak is. It locates leaks within inches, so we cut one small access panel instead of guessing and tearing up half your floor.
When does a house need a whole-home repipe?
If you're seeing multiple pinhole leaks in the same year, or you have galvanized steel pipe (common in pre-1970 Des Moines homes), it's time. Galvanized rusts from the inside out, restricts flow, and starts leaking everywhere within a few years of the first pinhole. PEX repipe is $4,000–$7,500 for most single-family homes.
Will my homeowner's insurance cover this?
Insurance generally covers the damage (drywall, floors, contents) but not the pipe repair itself. We document everything — photos, leak location, cause, water-damaged materials — and write reports that adjusters accept. We've worked with every major Iowa insurer.
How fast does a hidden leak actually do damage?
Faster than you'd guess. A pinhole in a hot water line behind drywall can soak a stud bay overnight and start growing mold inside 48 hours. If you suspect a leak, shut off the main and call us — don't wait for the weekend.
Leak Detection & Repair across Central Iowa
Same crew, same upfront pricing in every city we serve:
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