Leak detection is the work of finding where water is escaping when the pipe is behind a wall, under a floor or buried outside. If you think water is leaking in Darien right now, call (630) 822-9290. Our emergency line is open 24/7, nights and weekends included.
While you wait, find your main shutoff valve and turn it clockwise to close it if water is visible or the sound of running water is loud. Then open one low faucet to relieve pressure. Move belongings off any wet floor and take photos of the damage for your records.
When a leak is an emergency
A slow drip under a sink can wait for a normal appointment. These signs mean water is moving now and the damage grows by the hour.
- Water is staining a ceiling or wallA brown spot that spreads, bubbles paint or feels soft means a supply or drain line is wet behind the surface. Shut off the main valve first.
- You hear running water with everything offA hiss or trickle at night, when no fixture is in use, usually points to a pressurized line leaking inside a wall or under the floor.
- A floor feels warm or looks dampA warm spot on a floor can mean a hot water line is leaking below it. Damp carpet or lifted flooring near a wall points the same way.
- The meter keeps spinningIf the meter moves while every fixture is off, water is leaving the house somewhere. The test below confirms it in a few minutes.
A single faucet drip with no stain and no sound is a regular visit. Tell dispatch which case you have and we will schedule it to match.
The two-minute water meter test
Your water meter can tell you whether a leak exists before anyone visits. Most Darien homes have the meter in the basement near where the line enters the house. Read it carefully, because this test saves a lot of guessing.
- 1
Turn everything off
Stop the washer, dishwasher, ice maker and irrigation. Make sure nobody flushes or runs a tap.
- 2
Find the leak indicator
Many meters have a small triangle or dial that spins when any water moves. Note its position or the last digits of the reading.
- 3
Wait and look again
Check after fifteen to thirty minutes with nothing on. Any movement means water is leaving the house.
- 4
Close the main valve and recheck
If the dial stops, the leak is inside the home. If it keeps moving with the valve closed, the valve or the meter needs attention, so call us.
Why your water bill jumped and what to check first
A higher bill does not always mean a leak. Use this pattern to narrow the cause before you book a visit.
| What changed | Likely cause | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Bill rose and the meter moves with all fixtures off | A leak in the house or on the service line | Run the meter test, then call for leak tracing |
| Bill rose and the meter is still when everything is off | More use, such as guests, a new habit or a seasonal task | Review the family routine and any sprinkler schedule |
| Toilet water level looks fine but the bowl hums | A silent flapper leak | Add food coloring to the tank and wait before flushing |
| Hot water seems to run out faster | A leak on the hot side or a failing water heater | Check around the tank and the hot lines for damp spots |
| Lawn is soggy or greener along a strip | A leak on the line between the meter and the house | Look for wet ground and call for a locate |
This table describes common patterns, not a diagnosis. A plumber confirms the cause on site.
Slab leaks: what they are and how we confirm one
A slab leak is a leak in a pipe that runs in or beneath a concrete floor. It is most common in homes built on a slab, and in the slab sections of homes with basements, such as an addition or an attached garage floor.
Signs that point to a slab leak
The usual clues are a warm patch on the floor, the sound of water with all fixtures off, a meter that keeps moving, and damp flooring that has no clear source overhead. A sudden drop in water pressure can add to the picture.
How we confirm it
We isolate sections of the supply piping, pressure test each one, and listen along the floor with sensitive equipment. A thermal camera can show a warm line. Once the area is narrow, the next step is a repair plan that may be a spot repair, a reroute or a repipe if the piping is failing in several places.
How we find a leak without opening every wall
Good leak detection moves from the least invasive information to the most invasive. We start with the meter and your description of the symptoms. Then we shut off sections of the house and watch whether pressure holds.
For leaks hidden in walls we use acoustic listening and thermal imaging. In some cases a plumber may use a tracer gas method. A camera inspection of drain lines through a sewer camera inspection can reveal leaks on the waste side, which are easy to confuse with supply leaks.
We open the surface only after the location is confirmed, and we keep the opening as small as the repair allows. Any repair that follows is done to the standards in the Illinois Plumbing Code (Title 77, Part 890 of the Illinois Administrative Code).
Lake Michigan water and what your meter means
Darien buys treated Lake Michigan water from the City of Chicago, with master meters at the Plainfield Road and 75th Street pump stations. Your home meter is the last measuring point before the water enters your piping, so it is the cleanest place to test for loss.
If your meter test shows movement and you need to ask about your account or meter, call the City water operator at (630) 353-8105. Then call us to trace the leak itself. The City reads the meter. It does not repair pipes inside your home.
Outdoor and underground leaks
A line that runs from the meter to the house is the homeowner's responsibility in most cases, so confirm responsibility with the City before assuming. Signs of a buried leak include a wet strip in the lawn, a sunken spot in a driveway or a drop in pressure at every tap.
When the leak sits on that run, our water service line repair team can plan the fix after the leak is found. Pointing out the meter location and any clean-out nearby helps the plumber start faster.
What affects the price of leak detection
Finding a leak is a different job from fixing it. You will hear a clear price before work starts, and you decide whether to go ahead.
Want your real number? Call (630) 822-9290 and describe what you see.
Hearing water with everything off?
Call the emergency line and tell dispatch what you hear, see or read on the meter. We will say what to shut off while a plumber is on the way.
Related problems we often find at the same visit
A leak call often turns up a second issue. A burst or split line may need burst pipe repair right away, and a failing fixture may need a toilet repair or a new supply line. Telling dispatch about every symptom helps the plumber bring the right parts.
Leak detection questions from Darien homeowners
Yes. Our dispatch line is open 24/7. If water is running through a ceiling or you hear a pipe hissing, call right away and we will tell you what to shut off while a plumber is on the way. Same-day appointments are offered when available.
Turn off all water use, then look at the leak indicator or the last digit on the meter. If it moves over fifteen to thirty minutes, water is leaving the house. Close the main valve and look again to see whether the leak is inside or outside.
Yes. Silent toilet flapper leaks, buried line leaks and small leaks inside walls can run for weeks. The meter test is the fastest way to separate a leak from a change in how much water the household uses.
Not always. Once the leak is located, options may include a spot repair, rerouting the line overhead or replacing a section. The right choice depends on how many leaks the pipe has and what is above it.
Only after the leak is confirmed, and only as much as the repair needs. We use listening, imaging and pressure tests first so the opening is small and in the right place.
Yes. The same dispatch line serves those towns, including Willowbrook and Westmont. Tell dispatch your address and we will confirm availability.