Leak Detection in Norman, OK
Water bill climbing and you can’t see why? We find hidden leaks under slabs, inside walls, and along buried water lines, then show you exactly where the problem is before anything gets opened up.
- Pinpoint first, dig second
- Licensed & bonded
- BBB A+ since 2012
- A real person answers the phone
Think you’ve got a leak? Call before it gets into the foundation.
(405) 364-1001Norman homes are built on slab and clay
Most houses in Norman sit on a concrete slab, which means the water lines run underneath the floor where you’ll never see them. When one of those lines starts leaking, the water goes down into the soil instead of up onto your carpet. It can run for weeks before anything shows.
Central Oklahoma’s clay soil makes it worse. It swells when it’s wet and shrinks when it dries out, so every drought and every soaking spring rain moves the ground around the pipes a little. Over years, that movement stresses joints and wears lines against the concrete. Older neighborhoods near campus and downtown have the added age of the original plumbing.
That’s why guessing is expensive. Breaking out a floor in the wrong spot costs you a repair you didn’t need. We locate the leak first so the only concrete that comes up is the concrete over the problem. If it does turn out to be under the foundation, our slab leak repair team takes it from there.
Signs you have a hidden leak
Any one of these is worth a closer look. Two or more together usually means a leak.
A water bill that jumped
Your usage went up but your habits didn’t. This is the most common first clue.
Water running with everything off
You can hear a faint hiss or rush in a wall or under the floor when the house is quiet.
A warm spot on the floor
A hot water line leaking under the slab heats the concrete above it. Bare feet and pets find it first.
Damp carpet or lifting floors
Wet carpet pad, swelling wood, or tile that sounds hollow with no spill to explain it.
New cracks or musty smells
Fresh cracks in walls or flooring, or a mildew smell that won’t go away.
A soggy patch in the yard
One spot that stays green or wet when the rest of the lawn is dry can mean a buried line.
The 15-minute water meter test
Before you call anyone, your water meter can tell you whether water is leaving the house when nobody is using it.
- 1
Shut everything off
Turn off every faucet, the dishwasher, the washer, and the sprinklers. Make sure no toilet is refilling.
- 2
Find the meter
It’s usually in a box near the street at the front of the property. Lift the lid carefully.
- 3
Note the reading
Look for the small leak indicator (often a triangle or star) and write down or photograph the dial.
- 4
Wait and check again
Leave it for 15 minutes without running any water, then compare.
Water is going somewhere. Rule out a running toilet, then give us a call.
Probably no active leak on the supply side. A high bill may be irrigation or seasonal use.
What happens when you call
No phone tree and no guessing. Here’s how a leak call goes.
You talk to a real person
Tell us what you’re seeing. We’ll ask a few questions and get a plumber scheduled.
We confirm there’s a leak
We check the meter and pressure-test the system to confirm water is escaping and narrow down which line it’s on.
We pinpoint the location
Using electronic leak detection equipment, we trace the line and zero in on where the leak is, so we open up one spot instead of the whole room.
You get the options and the price
We show you where the leak is and walk you through the repair choices and cost before any work starts.
Leak detection across Norman
We’ve been working in Norman homes for more than 50 years, from campus-area houses to newer neighborhoods on the west side and acreage out east toward Lake Thunderbird.
ZIP codes
Neighborhoods
Related services in Norman
Leak detection is usually step one. Here’s what often comes next.
See everything we do in town on our Norman plumber page.
Leak detection FAQ
How do I know if I have a hidden water leak?
The fastest check is your water meter. Turn off all water in the house, note the meter reading, and check it again in 15 minutes. If the dial or leak indicator moved and no toilet is running, water is escaping somewhere and it’s time to call a plumber.
Will you have to tear up my floors to find the leak?
Not to find it. We use electronic leak detection to locate the leak before any floor or wall is opened. If a repair does require access, we open only the spot directly over the problem.
How much does leak detection cost in Norman?
It depends on the type of leak and how hard it is to reach. We give you an honest price before we start, and once the leak is located we explain your repair options and their costs so you can decide.
Does homeowners insurance cover a slab leak?
Many policies cover the cost of accessing the leak and repairing resulting water damage, but not always the pipe repair itself. Coverage varies a lot by policy, so check with your insurance agent. We can document what we find to help with a claim.
My water bill spiked. Is it definitely a leak?
Not always. Sprinkler systems, a running toilet, or a dripping outdoor faucet can all push a bill up. Rule those out first and run the meter test. If the meter still moves with everything off, you likely have a hidden leak.
Stop paying for water you’re not using
Call Bob Usry & Sons and talk to a real person. We’ll find the leak and tell you straight what it takes to fix it.