How Long Does a Leak Detection Inspection Actually Take?
How Long Does a Leak Detection Inspection Actually Take?
This is one of the most common questions we get when scheduling, and the honest answer is “it depends on what we find” – but here’s a realistic breakdown by scenario so you know what to expect.
A Straightforward Case: 45 Minutes to 1.5 Hours
If you already have a good sense of where the problem is – a specific warm spot, a known running toilet ruled out, a clear symptom location – pressure testing and confirming the leak’s general area often wraps up within this window.
A Typical Full Inspection: 1.5 to 3 Hours
Most calls fall here – pressure testing, isolating irrigation and house-side plumbing, then acoustic and thermal scanning to pinpoint the specific location once we’ve confirmed a leak exists. This is the realistic range for a standard slab leak or water line inspection on an average-sized home.
A Complex or Unclear Case: 3+ Hours
Larger homes, multiple possible sources (say, both a suspected slab leak and an irrigation issue), or a leak that isn’t presenting clearly can take longer to fully sort out. A sewer lateral camera inspection specifically adds time since the camera has to traverse the full line length.
What Takes the Time
The pressure test itself requires a 15-20 minute wait period to get an accurate reading, which is a fixed part of the process regardless of the leak’s complexity. Beyond that, most of the time goes into methodically isolating sections of plumbing one at a time rather than guessing, which is exactly the accuracy that makes the eventual repair smaller and more targeted.
