Locally-owned since 1977 • Licensed, bonded and insured in Washington (WA Contractor Reg. #HOMECCA785BD) • WA Plumbing Contractor Lic. #HOMECCA751QG • NATE-certified technicians • Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer
Water leak detection and repair for Seattle-Tacoma homes
Home Comfort Alliance finds and fixes water leaks in homes across the Seattle-Tacoma area and the wider Puget Sound region: leaking supply lines, fixtures, valves, water heaters, pipes in crawlspaces and walls, and the water line between your meter and your house. A licensed plumber locates the leak, shows you what failed and gives you upfront pricing before any repair. The plumbing dispatch fee is $99.
Leaking right now? Turn off your main water shut-off valve. It is usually where the water line enters the house: in the basement, crawlspace or garage, or near the water heater. Keep away from water near outlets or appliances. Then book a plumber: you can call or book online.
Signs you have a hidden water leak
A hidden leak usually shows up in your water bill or your home before you ever see a drip. Call a plumber if you notice any of these:
- A water bill that jumps with no change in how you use water.
- The sound of running water when every tap and appliance is off.
- A water meter that keeps moving when no water is in use.
- Damp or stained drywall, ceilings or baseboards, or bubbling paint.
- Warped or soft flooring, or warm spots on a floor over a slab.
- A musty smell or mold in a cabinet, closet or crawlspace.
- Lower water pressure than usual, or a wet patch in the yard that never dries.
How to check for a water leak yourself
You can confirm a leak in about 15 minutes before you book a visit. These steps come from Tacoma Public Utilities, and they work with most water meters:
- Meter test. Turn off every faucet, water-using appliance and irrigation system, and use no water during the test. If your meter's flow indicator still moves, or your utility's usage graph never drops to zero, water is flowing somewhere.
- Toilet dye test. Put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and do not flush. If color shows in the bowl after 15 minutes, the flapper is leaking.
- Inside or outside. With water still off, close your home's main shut-off valve and check the meter again. If it stops, the leak is inside the house. If it keeps moving, the leak is likely in the underground water line between the meter and your home.
Where leaks start in Puget Sound homes
Most household leaks come from a handful of places. Knowing them helps you check and helps us find the leak faster:
| Leak source | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Toilets | Running or refilling on its own; color in the bowl after a dye test |
| Faucets, supply lines and shut-off valves | Drips, damp cabinet floors, corroded fittings |
| Water heaters | Water under the tank, a dripping relief valve, rust at the base |
| Washing machine and dishwasher hoses | Bulging or cracked hoses, water behind the appliance |
| Pipes in crawlspaces and exterior walls | Damp insulation, stains after a freeze, low pressure |
| Underground water line (meter to house) | Meter still moving with the main valve closed, a soggy patch in the yard |
Leaks on the sewer side, such as a broken sewer line under the yard, are outside our scope: Home Comfort Alliance does not work on sewer lines.
When whole-home repiping makes more sense than another repair
If leaks keep coming back in older pipes, whole-home repiping replaces the water supply lines so you stop paying for one repair after another. Home Comfort Alliance does whole-home repiping and will tell you whether a single repair or a repipe is the better value for your home.
- Several leaks or pinhole leaks in the last few years.
- Older galvanized steel pipes with rust-colored water or falling water pressure.
- Corroded fittings showing up in more than one room.
How much does leak detection and repair cost?
Nationally, leak detection averages about $280, and most homeowners pay $150 to $400, according to Angi (national estimate, September 2026). The repair is priced separately and depends on where the leak is and how hard it is to reach.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Home Comfort Alliance plumbing dispatch fee | $99 |
| Leak detection (national estimate) | $150 to $400; about $280 average |
| Slab leak repair including detection (national estimate) | $630 to $4,400; about $2,280 average |
Source: Angi, national estimates, September 2026.
What drives the price: where the leak is (an exposed supply line costs far less than a pipe inside a wall or under a slab), how much drywall or flooring has to be opened, the pipe material, and whether the water line is underground. Our current offer: $50 off same-day recommended plumbing work.
Get an estimateA comfort advisor will call you to set up your visit.
Can I get a high water bill adjusted after a leak?
Often, yes. Seattle Public Utilities adjusts 100 percent of the extra water and sewer charges for residential customer-side leaks, once per calendar year for up to two billing periods, if you repair the leak within 60 days of being notified and send proof of the repair. Keep your plumber's invoice.
| Utility | Leak adjustment rules |
|---|---|
| Seattle Public Utilities | Start repairs within 30 days and finish within 60 days of notice; proof of repair such as an invoice; underground service line repairs must be inspected before backfilling; 100 percent of residential water and sewer charges from the leak; once per calendar year, up to two billing periods |
| Tacoma Public Utilities | A severe leak that suddenly raised your bill may qualify for an adjustment; contact TPU customer service. TPU's Water Grant and Loan Program may help replace a leaking service line |
Checked September 2026. Other water districts set their own rules, so call yours before the repair.
Our leak repair process
- Book. Call or use the form. For an active leak, shut off the main valve first.
- Locate. A licensed plumber tracks down the leak and shows you what failed.
- Written price. Upfront, transparent pricing for the repair before any work begins.
- Repair. We fix or replace the failed line, fitting, valve or fixture.
- Test. We restore water, check for leaks and confirm the meter is still when nothing is running.
- Paperwork. You get an itemized invoice for your utility's leak adjustment or your insurer.
What you get with Home Comfort Alliance
- Licensed plumbers: WA Plumbing Contractor Lic. #HOMECCA751QG (residential).
- Upfront, transparent pricing before any repair begins.
- Book by phone or online. Our plumbers work Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with same-day service when possible.
- Water line repair between the meter and your home, and whole-home repiping.
- $50 off same-day recommended plumbing work.
- Extended labor coverage on new systems we install for Home Comfort Club members, up to 5 years from installation.
Where we repair water leaks
Home Comfort Alliance repairs residential leaks throughout King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap and Thurston counties. Local plumbing pages:
Leak detection and repair FAQ
How much should leak detection cost?
Angi's national estimate is $150 to $400, about $280 on average (September 2026). With Home Comfort Alliance, the plumbing dispatch fee is $99, and the repair is priced upfront before any work begins.
How can I tell where a leak is coming from?
Turn off all water and watch your meter. If it moves, close your home's main shut-off valve: if the meter stops, the leak is inside the house; if it keeps moving, it is likely in the underground line between the meter and your home. A toilet dye test finds leaking flappers.
Is water leak detection worth it?
Usually. A hidden leak keeps running up your water bill and can damage framing, flooring and drywall and cause mold. Finding it early limits the repair, and in Seattle it can qualify you for a leak adjustment on your bill.
Will Seattle Public Utilities adjust my bill for a leak?
For residential customer-side leaks, SPU adjusts 100 percent of the extra water and sewer charges if you repair the leak within 60 days of notice and send proof, such as your plumber's invoice. Underground service line repairs must be inspected before backfilling.
Do you repair underground water lines?
Yes. Home Comfort Alliance repairs residential water lines, including the line between your meter and your home. We do not work on sewer lines.
Do you do whole-home repiping?
Yes. Home Comfort Alliance does whole-home repiping for homes where old supply pipes keep leaking. A licensed plumber checks your pipes and tells you whether a single repair or a repipe is the better value, with upfront pricing before any work begins.
How quickly can you repair a leak?
Shut off your main water valve first, then book a plumber by phone or online. Our plumbers work Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, and we schedule the first available visit, same-day when possible.
Does homeowners insurance cover water leaks?
It depends on your policy. Many policies treat sudden leaks differently from slow ones, so check with your insurer, take photos and keep the repair invoice.
Sources: Angi (national leak detection and slab leak repair costs, September 2026), Seattle Public Utilities Director's Rule CS-325 and Tacoma Public Utilities leak guidance, checked September 2026.
Why Choose Home Comfort Alliance for Leak Repair?
Your Comfort is Our Promise
We promise...
Reliable heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical service, all from one trusted company.
To educate and guide you through your options so you’ll find the right solution at the right price.
Knowledgeable and respectful workers who ensure both your own comfort during the installation process, and lasting comfort from your home systems.
Outstanding service, communication, and follow-up, so your home is comfortable now and for years to come.
Get help with a leak today
Tell us what you are seeing and a licensed Home Comfort Alliance plumber will find the leak and give you a price before any repair.
Get an estimate
A local comfort advisor will call you to set up your visit.