Leak Detection & Pipe Repair

Leak Detection Services in Des Moines and Urbandale, IA

 

72 Degrees provides electronic leak detection and pipe repair for residential properties throughout Urbandale, Ankeny, Des Moines, Johnston, Clive, Grimes, Waukee, and the surrounding Polk County metro. We locate hidden water leaks in supply lines, drain lines, and exterior water lines using non-invasive diagnostic tools before recommending any demolition or excavation.

 

A hidden water leak does not announce itself the way a burst pipe does. By the time visible damage appears, water has often been traveling through wall cavities, floor assemblies, or soil for days or weeks. Finding the source precisely is what determines whether a repair is targeted and efficient or exploratory and expensive.

 

Call (515) 965-7272 for leak detection or emergency pipe repair. Available 24/7 with no overtime charges.

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Signs You Have a Hidden Water Leak

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Several indicators suggest an active leak that has not yet surfaced visibly:

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• An unexplained increase in your water bill with no change in household usage

• The sound of running water when all fixtures are off and no appliances are running

• Damp or discolored spots on walls, ceilings, or floors without an obvious cause

• Mold or mildew odors in areas with no visible moisture source

• Low or inconsistent water pressure throughout the home

• Soft spots, warping, or bubbling in wood floors or drywall

• A water meter that continues to move after every water-using fixture has been turned off

 

That last point is the most reliable confirmation of an active leak. Close your main shutoff, wait five minutes with nothing running, and check whether the meter needle or dial has moved. If it has, water is flowing

somewhere it should not be.

 

How We Detect Leaks Without Unnecessary Damage

 

The goal of leak detection is to locate the failure point precisely enough that the repair is surgical, not exploratory. We use a combination of tools based on where the leak is suspected and the construction of the home.

 

Acoustic Listening Equipment

 

Acoustic amplifiers detect the sound signature of water moving under pressure through a compromised pipe. The sound travels through concrete, soil, and framing materials, and specialized listening devices filter ambient noise to isolate it. This is the primary method for locating supply line leaks in walls, under slabs, or beneath landscaping without opening the structure.

 

Thermal Imaging

 

Thermal cameras detect temperature differences caused by water migration through building materials. A wet wall cavity or a slab section with water running beneath it shows a distinct temperature signature compared to surrounding dry material. Thermal imaging is particularly effective for leaks behind finished walls or beneath tile flooring where acoustic methods alone may not localize precisely enough.

 

Electronic Detection

 

Electronic pressure testing and ground-penetrating sensors identify the location and magnitude of a leak in buried or concealed supply lines. This is most useful for water line leaks in the yard, beneath a driveway, or under concrete exterior flatwork.

 

Video Camera Inspection

 

For drain line leaks and sewer-side issues, video camera inspection confirms the location and nature of the problem visually. See our sewer services page for details on what camera inspection covers and what it reveals.

 

Pipe Repair and Water Line Repair in Des Moines

 

Once the leak location is confirmed, the repair scope depends on the pipe type, its access, and the extent of damage.

 

Most supply line repairs involve isolating the failed section and replacing it with new copper or PEX pipe. PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is the current standard for residential supply line repair and replacement. It is more flexible than copper, resistant to freeze-thaw cracking (relevant in Iowa's IECC Zone 5A climate), and does not corrode in the presence of Des Moines's hard water supply. For supply lines in older Urbandale and Des Moines homes made of galvanized steel, a spot repair on a heavily corroded line often leads to another failure nearby within months. In those situations, we will tell you honestly whether a full repiping makes more financial sense than continued repair.

 

Water line repairs involving buried exterior lines, including the service line running from the street to the home, require excavation. We handle Iowa One Call (811) utility marking coordination before any digging begins.

 

When Repiping Makes More Sense Than Repeated Repair

 

In homes built before 1970 throughout Des Moines, Urbandale, and Clive, the supply piping is often original galvanized steel. Galvanized pipe corrodes from the inside out over decades: mineral deposits accumulate on the inner wall, restrict flow, and eventually the pipe wall fails. A single leak in galvanized pipe is rarely an isolated event. The rest of the pipe is typically in similar condition, and additional failures follow.

 

Repiping replaces all supply lines throughout the home with new PEX or copper. It is a larger project than a spot repair, typically requiring one to two days in a standard-sized home, but it resolves the underlying condition rather than addressing individual symptoms as they surface. It also restores water pressure and flow that has been restricted by decades of internal buildup.

 

We provide a clear assessment of your pipe condition and options before any work begins. If spot repair is the right answer for your situation, that is what we recommend.

 

Schedule Leak Detection in Des Moines and Urbandale

 

Call (515) 965-7272 to schedule leak detection or request emergency dispatch for an active pipe failure. Available 24/7 with no overtime charges.

 

3074 104th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322

 

Schedule Online   |   Financing Options   |   Plumbing Services

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I know if I have a water leak in my home?

 

The most reliable check: close your main water shutoff, wait five minutes with no water running, then check whether your water meter has moved. If it has, water is flowing somewhere it should not be. Other signs include unexplained water bill increases, damp spots on walls or floors, low pressure, and the sound of running water in a silent house. Call (515) 965-7272 to schedule a leak detection appointment.

 

Can you find a leak without opening walls or cutting the floor?

 

Yes, in most cases. Acoustic listening equipment and thermal imaging locate most supply line leaks without demolition. We open walls or floors only once we know exactly where the failure is, keeping the access as small as possible. Some repairs require access regardless, but we identify the location first.

 

How much does leak detection cost in Des Moines?

 

Leak detection service in the Des Moines metro typically runs $150 to $400 depending on the tools required and the complexity of the location. 72 Degrees provides a price before the work begins.

 

What type of pipe is best for repairs in Des Moines homes?

 

PEX is the current standard for most supply line repairs and replacements. It is flexible, resistant to freeze-thaw stress, and does not corrode in hard water, which matters in Des Moines. Copper is appropriate for some applications and fixture connections. We use the right material for each situation and explain the reasoning.

 

My galvanized pipes keep leaking in different spots. What should I do?

 

Recurring leaks in galvanized steel pipe are a sign of widespread internal corrosion, not isolated failures. Repiping the supply system is typically more cost-effective over a five-year horizon than repairing individual leaks as they occur. We assess your pipe condition and give you a straight comparison of repair vs. repipe options.

 

Can a hidden water leak cause mold in my Des Moines home?

 

Yes. Water migrating through wall cavities or floor assemblies creates the moisture conditions mold requires to establish. Iowa's warm, humid summers amplify this risk. Leak detection and prompt repair stops the moisture source. Remediation of any existing mold growth is a separate step handled by a restoration contractor.

 

Do you handle water line leaks under the yard or driveway in Urbandale?

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Yes. We locate buried exterior water line leaks using electronic and acoustic detection, then repair or replace the line. We coordinate Iowa One Call (811) utility marking before any excavation. Trenchless options may be available depending on the pipe type and site conditions.

 

Is pipe leak repair covered by homeowner's insurance?

 

It depends on the cause and your policy. Sudden and accidental losses, such as a pipe that bursts unexpectedly, are commonly covered. Slow leaks from deferred maintenance are often excluded. Coverage varies by policy and insurer. We document the nature and location of the failure to support a claim, but we recommend contacting your insurer directly to understand your specific coverage before the repair begins.