Frequently Asked Questions

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IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, TURN OFF YOUR WATER IMMEDIATELY.  

If the leak is inside your home or you have a burst pipe you should first turn off your water supply at your main shutoff valve. If you do not have a main shutoff valve, or don't know where it is located, you may turn off your water at your meter in an emergency situation. It is advisable to contact a plumber during such emergencies. If any damage has occurred it is also advisable to contact your insurance company. Do not touch any wet electrical fittings - call an electrician.

Most leaks in residential plumbing systems are found in the toilet tank. These leaks typically result from worn parts or improper alignment of some part of the flushing mechanism. It is important to find and stop these leaks because they will cause an increase in your monthly water bill.

More often than not the flapper in the bottom of the tank is the cause of the problem, which you can simply replace. Also the chain can be too long and get caught under the flapper. The chain should be long enough to reach from the lever arm to the top of the flapper without pulling on it.

Toilet leaks occur in two ways and very often are difficult to detect. First, the most common toilet leak and often hardest to detect is caused by a deteriorated or defected flush valve (flapper) or "tank" ball at the bottom of the toilet tank. If the flapper or ball valve does not seat properly and form a water-tight seal, water will leak around it into the toilet bowl. Often, this leak will occur without being heard. Here is an easy way to check for flush valve leaks and in just minutes, you can find out if a toilet is wasting thousands of gallons due to an undiscovered water leak. Remove the tank lid, then flush. After the flapper/tank ball drops and the tank refills, add several drops of dark food coloring) or a Fluidmaster leak detector tablet. Wait at least 20 minutes. If any trace of color appears in the toilet bowl, there is a leak.

The second most-common type of leak is caused by improperly adjusted or broken fill valve. If the float is set too high or the shut-off valve fails to close completely, water will continue to enter the tank and flow into the overflow tube. This type of leak can be seen simply by taking the tank top off and observing if water is flowing into the overflow tube once the tank is full. Excess water pressure can also have a negative effect on the operating system in your toilet.

Mainline Leak Detection currently provides professional leak detection and diagnostic services throughout South Central Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. Contact us with your property location and we’ll be happy to confirm service availability.

When you call Mainline Leak Detection, you’re working directly with Brian, the owner, an experienced leak detection specialist. From the initial conversation through the on-site investigation and final findings, you receive knowledgeable, personalized service without being passed from one person to another.

Mainline Leak Detection uses specialized diagnostic equipment designed to locate difficult and concealed leaks while minimizing unnecessary damage. Depending on the situation, our testing may include advanced acoustic listening equipment, electronic leak correlation, tracer gas testing, electromagnetic pipe locating, sewer camera inspection, and infrared thermal imaging. We select the appropriate testing methods based on the property, piping system, and conditions encountered on site.

If we’re unable to answer when you call, we make every effort to return your call the same business day. In most cases, you can expect to hear back within a couple of hours—and often much sooner. We’ll discuss what you’re experiencing, gather information about the property, and determine the appropriate next steps.

Many leak detection investigations can be completed in approximately two to four hours. However, every situation is different. Larger properties, complex piping systems, intermittent leaks, or difficult site conditions may require additional testing time or a return visit. Our priority is performing a thorough investigation rather than rushing to a conclusion.

No. Mainline Leak Detection specializes in diagnostics and does not perform plumbing repairs. We frequently work alongside plumbers and plumbing contractors who rely on us to locate difficult or concealed leaks before repairs begin. Once our investigation is complete, we provide our findings so you and your plumber can determine the appropriate repair.

Because we are independent from the repair work, our focus is on accurately identifying the source of the problem and helping minimize unnecessary excavation, demolition, and repair costs.

Yes. Mainline Leak Detection regularly works with homeowners, property managers, insurance professionals, restoration companies, and mitigation contractors when investigating the source and origin of water-related damage.

We can provide documentation of our findings when appropriate to assist with the claim or restoration process. Unless other arrangements have been made in advance, the property owner or customer who authorized the service is responsible for payment.

A slab leak occurs when a pressurized waterline located beneath a concrete slab or foundation develops a leak. Because the piping is concealed, the actual leak location may be different from where water or other symptoms first appear.

Common signs of a slab leak may include:

• Warm or unusually hot areas on the floor
• Damp or damaged flooring
• Unexplained moisture or mildew
• Increased water usage or higher water bills
• The sound of water running when fixtures are off
• Cracking or other damage associated with prolonged moisture

Mainline Leak Detection uses a combination of diagnostic methods to determine whether a leak is present and narrow down its location beneath the slab. Depending on the piping system and site conditions, our investigation may include:

• Pressure and isolation testing
• Electronic or electromagnetic pipe locating
• Acoustic leak detection
• Infrared thermal imaging
• Tracer gas testing when appropriate

A main or service line leak typically refers to a leak in the underground waterline supplying a home, building, or property. This piping generally runs between the water meter or private well system and the building.

Because these lines are underground, leaking water can sometimes travel a considerable distance before becoming visible at the surface if at all. Specialized locating and leak detection equipment can help identify the route of the waterline and determine the likely source of the leak.

Waterline depth varies considerably depending on the property's location, climate, installation practices, terrain, and the age of the system.

Some waterlines may be only a few feet below grade, while lines installed in colder climates are often significantly deeper to protect them from freezing. Rather than assuming a specific depth, Mainline Leak Detection can use electronic locating equipment when conditions allow to help determine the approximate route and depth of buried piping.

A sewer or drain camera inspection provides a view inside accessible piping and can help identify conditions that cannot be evaluated from the surface.

Camera inspections may help identify:

• Blockages and restrictions
• Root intrusion
• Cracked or damaged piping
• Separated or misaligned pipe connections
• Bellies or low areas that retain water and debris
• Grease, sediment, or other buildup
• Foreign objects or other obstructions

When needed, we can also locate accessible portions of the sewer line from above ground and document areas of concern. Video and inspection findings can be provided to your plumber, contractor, or property manager to assist with determining the appropriate repair.

Yes. Mainline Leak Detection provides diagnostic testing for certain types of structural and building-envelope water intrusion.

Depending on the situation, we may investigate potential entry points involving:

• Roof flashing
• Plumbing and mechanical penetrations
• Skylights
• Roof valleys and transitions
• Flat or low-slope roofing
• Exterior walls and building-envelope components
• Windows, doors, and other penetrations

Our role is to help identify the source or pathway of the water intrusion. If repairs are required, those repairs should be completed by the appropriate roofing, restoration, or building contractor.

In many situations, yes. Water appearing in a basement, beneath a slab, around a foundation, or elsewhere on a property does not necessarily mean that a pressurized plumbing line is leaking.

We use methods such as pressure testing, system isolation, moisture evaluation, thermal imaging, acoustic testing, and other diagnostic techniques to help determine whether the water is associated with the plumbing system or potentially originates from another source.

Yes. Hydronic snow-melt systems contain buried or embedded piping that can develop leaks over time.  Mainline Leak Detection can perform diagnostic testing to help identify leaking sections and narrow down the suspected leak location while minimizing unnecessary excavation or removal of finished surfaces. Once the leak has been located, the appropriate contractor can perform the necessary repair.

Mainline Leak Detection approaches every investigation with the goal of accurately identifying the source of the problem and providing you with the best information possible before repairs begin.

We combine extensive leak detection experience with professional diagnostic equipment and multiple testing methods rather than relying on a single technology.

However, leak detection is diagnostic in nature, and certain conditions—including intermittent leaks, multiple leaks, inaccessible piping, extremely small losses, piping materials, depth, environmental noise, and site conditions—can affect the ability to determine an exact location.

When conditions allow us to identify a suspected leak location, we clearly mark and document our findings. If testing does not indicate an active leak or does not support a definitive location, we will explain what we found and recommend appropriate next steps rather than marking an area without sufficient evidence.

Not every water leak is easy to see. While a leaking faucet or visible pipe may be obvious, leaks in underground waterlines, beneath concrete slabs, inside walls, or elsewhere within a plumbing system can go unnoticed for extended periods of time.

Hidden leaks can lead to higher water usage, property damage, and unnecessary repair costs if the source is not accurately identified. Recognizing the warning signs early can help you determine when it may be time for a professional leak investigation.

Common Signs of a Hidden Water Leak

• Hearing water running, dripping, or hissing when fixtures are turned off
• Unexplained warm or hot areas on a concrete floor
• Damp, discolored, or wet areas on walls, ceilings, or flooring
• Cracking, lifting, or other unexplained changes to flooring or building materials
• Persistent wet, soft, or unusually green areas in the yard
• Water surfacing through pavement, concrete, or landscaping
• Musty odors or recurring signs of moisture or mildew
• An unexplained increase in your water bill
• Movement at the water meter when no water is knowingly being used
• A well pump or water pump cycling or running when there is no apparent water demand
• Unexplained loss of water pressure
• The sound of water movement near underground piping, valves, or fixtures

If you are experiencing one or more of these warning signs, Mainline Leak Detection can help determine whether a leak is present and accurately locate its source.

Using specialized diagnostic equipment and proven testing methods, we investigate difficult-to-find leaks while working to minimize unnecessary excavation and property damage.