Comparison guide · 5-min read
Leak detection vs plumber. Which do you call first?
When water shows up where it shouldn't, the instinct is often to call a plumber. Sometimes that's right. Often it isn't. Here's how leak detection and plumbing differ — and which one you should call first to save the most money.
TL;DR
Call a leak detection company FIRST if the leak is hidden (in walls, under slab, underground, or behind a ceiling). Call a plumber FIRST if the leak is visible and obvious (a dripping faucet, a burst supply line, a leaking water heater). Leak detection isolates the problem; the plumber fixes it. Both have their place — they're not substitutes.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Leak Detection Company Locates leaks non-invasively | General Plumber Fixes plumbing problems |
|---|---|---|
Locates hidden leaks (in walls, slab, underground) | Specialised equipment | Will often guess + cut |
Non-invasive (no cutting drywall to find) | ||
Repairs the actual leak once found | Detection only | Their job is to fix |
Thermal imaging, acoustic, GPR, tracer gas | ||
Insurance-formatted detection reports | ||
Tracks pinpoint leak location (5–15 cm accuracy) | Multi-tech confirmation | Best guess + exploratory access |
Fixes a dripping faucet, replaces a valve | ||
Installs new plumbing | ||
Locates slab leaks under concrete | Often jackhammers to 'find' it | |
Underground water service line leaks | Acoustic correlator + GPR | Typically subcontracts to a detection co. |
Subrogation evidence for insurance recovery | ||
Strata Property Act-aware reporting |
Yes Partial / depends No
When to choose which
Choose Leak detection company first when…
- Water stain has appeared and you can't see the source
- Slab feels warm or you hear running water with everything off
- Water bill spiked but no visible leak
- Insurance claim requires documentation of the leak source
- Inter-unit strata leak needs source identification
- Pre-purchase inspection on an older property
- Hidden behind walls, ceilings, or underground
Choose Plumber first when…
- Dripping or running faucet, toilet, or fixture
- Burst supply line under a sink — water everywhere
- Leaking water heater base
- Visible drain leak under sink
- Need a new fixture or pipe installation
- Routine maintenance or replacement work
Choose Both, in order when…
- Leak detection FIRST to locate the hidden leak
- Plumber SECOND to do the targeted repair
- This is the cheapest path for any hidden leak
- Detection report tells the plumber exactly where to cut/access
- Reduces repair scope by 70–90% on average
Quick answers
Frequently asked
Why not just call a plumber who 'also does leak detection'?
Many plumbers advertise leak detection but use only basic tools (visual inspection, listening at fixtures, sometimes a moisture meter). They lack thermal imaging, acoustic correlation, ground-penetrating radar, and tracer gas — the technologies that actually locate hidden leaks non-invasively. The result is often a high false-negative rate and exploratory access (cutting drywall to 'see what's there').
Does leak detection cost extra on top of plumbing repair?
Yes — it's a separate diagnostic step. But the detection cost (typically $250–$750) is dwarfed by the repair-scope reduction it enables. A correctly-located slab leak repair is hours and one tile patch; a misdiagnosed one is days and a whole bathroom demo.
Can a plumber refer me to a leak detection company?
Many do — established BC plumbers regularly refer hidden-leak situations to specialist detection firms. We work with many of them as partners; they handle the repair after we deliver the location.
What if the leak detection company says 'no leak found'?
You receive a written 'no active leak' report — which is itself valuable documentation (for insurance, real-estate disclosure, or peace of mind). The investigation cost stands; it's the cost of certainty. Most cases do find a leak when symptoms are real.
Is leak detection covered by insurance?
Most BC home and commercial insurance policies reimburse leak detection costs when active water damage is present. Reports are formatted for first-look adjuster approval.
Do you ever just hire a plumber if you're sure where the leak is?
Yes — if the leak is obvious (a dripping fixture, a known burst pipe, a visible water heater leak), skip the detection step and call a plumber directly. The detection step is only valuable when the leak is hidden.
Can a leak detection company also recommend a plumber?
Yes — Leak.ca maintains a network of trusted BC plumbers, restoration contractors, and trades. We don't take referral fees; we recommend based on what we've seen work for our clients.
Is there ever a downside to calling a leak detection company first?
Only when the leak is genuinely obvious — in those cases, the detection step adds cost without adding value. For all hidden-leak situations, leak detection first is the cost-optimal path.
Related guides & comparisons
Compare: Leak Detection vs DIY
Compare: Acoustic vs Thermal vs GPR
Compare: Leak Detection vs Restoration Company
Hidden Water Leak Guide
Slab Leak Detection Guide
How leak detection works
Not sure which option fits your situation?
Free 5-minute phone consult. A Leak.ca technician will tell you exactly which path makes sense. No pressure, no charge.