It’s a question we hear all the time: “I think I have a leak — should I call a plumber or a leak detection company?” The answer depends on what you’re dealing with, and getting it right from the start saves you time and money.
Here’s a simple breakdown.
Call a Plumber First If…
- You can see the leak. A dripping faucet, a pipe under the sink that’s visibly wet, or a running toilet are all problems a plumber can diagnose and fix on the spot.
- You have a known plumbing issue. If you know what broke, you need a repair, not a detection service.
- Your water heater is failing. Leaks from water heaters, pressure relief valves, or supply connections are standard plumbing repairs.
For general plumbing repairs and drain issues in the Seattle area, Big John’s Plumbing and Drain offers same-day service with honest, upfront pricing.
Call a Leak Detection Specialist First If…
- Your water bill has spiked but you can’t find why. A hidden leak somewhere in your system is the most common culprit, and finding it requires specialized equipment — not a visual inspection.
- You hear water running but nothing is on. This often points to an underground or in-wall leak that a plumber won’t be able to locate without tearing things apart.
- You have warm spots on your floor or damp carpet with no obvious source. Classic signs of a slab leak.
- You had a recent inspection that flagged a potential leak but didn’t confirm the location. A leak detection service gives you the precise location before any digging starts.
- Your yard has unexplained soggy patches or dying grass. Underground irrigation or sewer leaks often show up this way.
Why Does This Order Matter?
If you call a plumber first for a hidden leak, they’ll often need to start opening walls or floors to find it — which costs money and causes damage. A leak detection service finds the exact location first, so your plumber or sewer specialist can go straight to the problem. It’s almost always cheaper to detect first.
When You Might Need Both
This is actually very common. Leak Detection Northwest finds the problem. Then, depending on what’s found:
- Sewer line issue → Pipelining Northwest handles trenchless sewer repair across the Seattle area
- Plumbing supply issue → Big John’s Plumbing and Drain handles the repair
All three companies serve the greater Seattle area and work well together. If you’re not sure where to start, start with us — we’ll point you in the right direction after the inspection.