Water bill spiked $80 to $200 with no obvious wet spot
We pressure-test each zone with a hydrostatic test pump and listen with an acoustic device. Most slow leaks are found within 90 minutes and repaired the same day with new PVC pipe and fittings.
Licensed techs, acoustic gear, same-day answers for soggy lawns and high bills
Irrigation System Leak Detection in Houston That Finds Every Hidden Break
Irrigation System Leak Detection in Houston starts with a simple question: why is one corner of your yard always wet when the sprinklers are off? Our licensed technicians trace buried PVC and poly lines with acoustic listening devices and pressure testing gauges, then repair the break the same day. We serve homeowners and property managers across Harris County who are tired of guessing which zone is draining their water bill.
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About this service
What Irrigation System Leak Detection in Houston Actually Involves
Irrigation System Leak Detection in Houston is the process of finding where water escapes from your sprinkler lines, valves, or heads before it soaks your foundation or doubles your water bill. We isolate each zone, pressurize the line with a hydrostatic test pump, and listen for the signature hiss of a pinhole leak with an acoustic listening device. If the line runs under concrete or dense root systems, we bring in a thermal imaging camera or tracer gas detector to confirm the exact break point. You get a marked location, a written repair plan, and a fixed price before we dig.
Houston's clay soil expands and contracts with every wet-dry cycle, and that movement shears PVC pipe fittings and pulls apart glued joints. Add 13 years of root intrusion from live oaks and yaupon holly, and you have the two most common causes of sprinkler leaks we find in this city. Most homeowners call us after a water bill jumps $80 to $200 in one cycle, or after they notice a permanent green stripe in the lawn while the rest of the yard is brown. If you have been searching for irrigation leak Detection near me Houston, that pattern is usually the answer.
- ✓ Stop the Water Waste
- ✓ Protect Your Foundation
- ✓ Same-Day Diagnosis
- ✓ Repairs That Hold
What's included
What Our Irrigation Leak Detection Service Includes
Every irrigation leak call includes the diagnosis, the written quote, and a pressure test after repair. Here is what is covered in the standard service and what we quote separately, like new zone installs or controller replacements.
✓
Full Zone Pressure Test
We isolate each zone at the controller and pressurize it with a hydrostatic test pump, watching a Fluke gauge for a 15-minute hold. Any zone that drops pressure gets the acoustic sweep. This is how we narrow a 6-zone yard to the one leaking line.
✓
Acoustic and Thermal Locate
The technician walks the suspect zone with an acoustic listening device and, if the line runs under concrete, a FLIR thermal imaging camera. You get a painted mark and a stake at the leak location before any digging starts.
✓
Written Repair Quote
Before we open the ground, you get a fixed price for the repair: pipe material, fittings, labor, and backfill. If we find a second failed fitting in the same trench, we fix it at cost and tell you why.
✓
Code-Correct Repair
We cut out the failed section and rebuild with Schedule 40 PVC pipe, new fittings, and fresh pipe sealant or Teflon tape on threaded joints. Repairs meet current ICC and IAPMO standards for irrigation piping.
✓
Post-Repair Pressure Test
After the repair, the zone is pressurized to 60 PSI for 15 minutes, then run live for 10 minutes to confirm no weeping at the fittings. We backfill, reset the controller, and walk the zone with you before we leave.
✓
Backflow Assembly Check
Any work on the irrigation main includes a backflow assembly test. Our technicians hold Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester certification, and we tag the assembly with the test date so you have a record for the city.
How it works
How Our Irrigation Leak Detection Process Works
01
Phone Intake
You call 832-839-4984 and describe what you are seeing: a soggy zone, a spike on the water bill, or a geyser at a valve box. We ask three or four questions, give you a ballpark range, and book a same-day or next-morning window. Most Houston-area appointments are confirmed within 15 minutes.
02
Zone Isolation
The technician shuts off the main irrigation valve, then runs each zone individually at the controller to see which one loses pressure. A pressure testing gauge on the backflow preventer shows the drop. This step takes 15 to 25 minutes and narrows the search to one zone in about 80% of calls.
03
Acoustic and Thermal Sweep
We walk the suspect zone with an acoustic listening device, which picks up the high-frequency hiss of escaping water through soil. If the line runs under concrete or a driveway, we switch to a FLIR thermal imaging camera to spot the temperature difference. Both tools are non-invasive; we do not dig until we know where the break is.
04
Mark and Quote
The technician flags the leak location with paint and a stake, then writes up the repair: what failed, what we will replace, and the fixed price. You approve or decline before any digging starts. If the leak is under a slab or in a valve manifold, we explain the access plan in plain language.
05
Repair and Pressure Test
We excavate by hand, cut out the failed section, and rebuild with new PVC pipe, fittings, and Teflon tape on threaded joints. The repaired zone is pressurized to 60 PSI for 15 minutes, then run live for 10 minutes to confirm no weeping at the fittings. We backfill, reset the controller, and walk the zone with you.
Tools & methods
Tools and Methods We Use to Find Irrigation Leaks
Purpose-built equipment, used by trained technicians — so the job is done accurately the first time.
Acoustic Listening Device
Picks up the high-frequency hiss of water escaping through soil. Our first tool on every irrigation call, effective to about 3 feet of depth.
FLIR Thermal Imaging Camera
Shows the temperature difference between wet and dry soil. The fastest way to find an irrigation leak under a driveway or patio.
Hydrostatic Test Pump
Pressurizes each zone to 60 PSI so we can watch for a pressure drop on a Fluke gauge. Confirms which zone is leaking before we dig.
Sewerin Tracer Gas Detector
For slow leaks that acoustic gear cannot hear, we introduce tracer gas and track it to the surface. Pinpoints leaks within inches.
RIDGID Pipe Inspection Camera
Sees inside valve boxes, manifolds, and short runs of pipe without demolition. Confirms cracked fittings and root intrusion.
General Tools Moisture Meter
Reads moisture content in soil and around valve boxes. Helps us map how far water has migrated from the break.
Milwaukee and DeWalt Cordless Digging Tools
Hand-digging is slow and messy. We use cordless breaker and auger tools to open the smallest possible access hole, then backfill cleanly.
Real results
Before and after.
Garden Oaks PVC Fitting Failure
Before
A homeowner in Garden Oaks had a $340 water bill and a soggy stripe along the driveway. The irrigation had been off for two weeks, so the leak was clearly underground. Two previous companies had dug three trenches without finding it.
After
We isolated the zone with a pressure test, then used a FLIR thermal camera to spot the break under the driveway edge. One small excavation, one new Schedule 40 PVC fitting, and a 15-minute pressure test at 60 PSI. The next water bill dropped to $95.
Memorial Root Intrusion Repair
Before
A Memorial homeowner had a zone that would not hold pressure and a permanently wet spot under a live oak. The controller was showing a fault, and the zone had been shut off for a month. Grass around the leak had died back in a 4-foot circle.
After
Acoustic gear found the break within 10 inches of the tree trunk. We cut out 3 feet of root-crushed PVC pipe, rebuilt with new fittings, and rerouted the section 6 inches to reduce future root contact. Pressure held at 60 PSI for 15 minutes.
Katy Valve Manifold Flood
Before
A Katy property manager called at 8 p.m. on a Friday because a valve box was flooding the sidewalk. The zone was geysering, and water was running into the street. The controller had been running the zone on schedule for three days.
After
We walked the manager through shutting the zone down over the phone, then had a tech on-site in 75 minutes. The manifold had a cracked fitting and a failed valve. We replaced both, pressure-tested the manifold at 60 PSI, and reset the controller before leaving.
Problems we solve
Irrigation Problems We Solve for Houston Homeowners
Most irrigation calls fall into four patterns. Here is what each one looks like and how we handle it.
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Permanently soggy or bright-green stripe in the lawn
We mark the leak with paint and a stake, cut out the failed section, and rebuild with Schedule 40 PVC. After backfill, we run the zone live to confirm the stripe stops growing.
Valve box flooding or geysering at the manifold
We shut the zone down, replace the failed valve or fitting, and pressure-test the manifold at 60 PSI. Most valve box repairs are done in under two hours.
Zone will not hold pressure and the controller shows a fault
We isolate the zone, use acoustic and thermal tools to find the break, and repair the line. Then we reset the controller schedule and verify the fault clears.
Transparent pricing
Irrigation Leak Detection Pricing in Houston
$180 - $450 for diagnosis; $150 - $900 for the repair depending on scope
Typical 2026 pricing for irrigation leak Detection in Houston runs $180 to $450 for the diagnosis and written repair quote. The repair itself is quoted separately and usually adds $150 to $900 depending on depth, pipe material, and access. We give you the full number before we dig, and we do not charge emergency rates for after-hours calls. If you have been looking for affordable irrigation Leak Detection Houston TX, this is the honest range to expect from a licensed contractor.
A leaking irrigation zone wastes $45 to $90 per month on the water bill and can undermine your foundation over a season. Fixing the leak usually pays for itself within two billing cycles, and it protects the slab and landscaping you have already invested in.
01Number of zones to test
A single-zone yard takes about 60 minutes to diagnose. A 10-zone system can take two to three hours because we pressure-test each zone individually. More zones means more time, but it also means we find the leak the first visit.
02Depth of the line
Most irrigation lines sit 8 to 14 inches deep. Lines under a driveway, patio, or retaining wall need thermal imaging and sometimes a pipe inspection camera, which adds $100 to $200 to the diagnosis.
03Pipe material
PVC pipe repairs are straightforward. Poly tubing and older galvanized stub-outs need transition fittings, which add $50 to $150 in parts and labor. Copper pipe repairs cost more because of the soldering work.
04Access and landscaping
A leak under open lawn is a small excavation. A leak under a flower bed, sidewalk, or mature root system takes longer to access and backfill. We tell you the access plan before we start.
Proof you can check
Licensed, Insured, and Proven in Houston
✓
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners LicenseTexas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
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Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester CertificationTexas Commission on Environmental Quality approved program
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EPA WaterSense PartnerU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
✓
IAPMO and ICC Code ComplianceInternational Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials / International Code Council
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OSHA Safety ComplianceOccupational Safety and Health Administration
Customer reviews
What Houston Customers Say
★★★★★
“Our water bill jumped $140 in one month and the side yard was always wet. Leak Detection The Heights found a cracked PVC fitting under the driveway with a thermal camera in about an hour. They quoted the repair, dug one small hole, and had it fixed the same afternoon. Bill dropped back to normal the next cycle.”
MR
Marisol R.Homeowner, Garden Oaks
✓ Verified“
★★★★★
“We manage a 12-zone system at a small office park and had a zone that would not hold pressure. Their tech used an acoustic listening device and found a root-intruded line under a live oak. Repair was clean, backflow test was done on-site, and they emailed the tag photo the same day. That is how it should work.”
DT
Derek T.Property Manager, Energy Corridor
✓ Verified★★★★★
“Called at 8 p.m. on a Friday because a valve box was flooding the sidewalk. They walked me through shutting the zone down over the phone and had a tech out in about 75 minutes. Fixed the broken fitting, pressure-tested the zone, and did not charge emergency rates. Will use them again for the spring tune-up.”
AN
Anh N.Homeowner, Bellaire
✓ VerifiedMost residential irrigation leak Detection calls in Houston run $180 to $450, including the zone isolation, acoustic sweep, and written repair quote. If the leak is under a driveway or requires a pipe inspection camera, expect $350 to $650. The repair itself is quoted separately and typically adds $150 to $900 depending on depth and pipe material. We give you the full number before we dig.
The three clearest signs are a water bill that jumped $80 or more in one cycle, a permanently soggy or bright-green stripe in the lawn when the system is off, and a pressure gauge on the backflow assembly that will not hold. You can also shut the main irrigation valve and watch the meter; if the dial still moves, water is escaping somewhere on the line.
You want a licensed plumbing contractor with irrigation experience, not a lawn crew. Leak Detection The Heights has handled irrigation repairs across Harris County since 2013, holds Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners licenses, and carries Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester certification. We handle the diagnosis, the repair, and the required backflow test in one visit.
A pinhole leak the size of a pencil tip wastes roughly 6,300 gallons per month, which is about $45 to $90 on a typical Houston water bill. A cracked PVC fitting at a valve box can waste 15,000 gallons or more per month and will visibly erode soil around the box. Fixing the leak usually pays for itself within two billing cycles.
More services
Related Leak Detection Services
Slab Leak DetectionIrrigation leaks near the foundation often mimic slab leaks. If your sprinkler line is saturating the soil under the slab, we use acoustic and thermal tools to tell the two apart before anyone breaks concrete.Explore →
Foundation Leak DetectionA broken irrigation zone can cause the foundation movement you are seeing. We locate the water source first, so foundation repairs are not scheduled for a problem that is actually a sprinkler line.Explore →
Pool Leak DetectionPool equipment pads and irrigation manifolds often share a trench. When a pool loses water and the yard stays wet, we isolate which line is leaking and repair the right one.Explore →
Sewer Line Leak DetectionSoggy spots in the yard are not always irrigation. We run a pipe inspection camera to rule out a sewer line break before we dig up a sprinkler zone that was never the problem.Explore →
Gas Leak DetectionIf you smell gas near an irrigation valve box, stop and call us. We use tracer gas detectors and Sewerin equipment to confirm the source and coordinate with the gas utility.Explore →
Plumbing Leak DetectionIrrigation lines connect to the home's main water supply. When the meter spins with the irrigation off, we trace the leak from the main line through the interior plumbing.Explore →
Roof Leak DetectionSprinklers that spray the siding or foundation can look like roof leaks from inside. We check the irrigation first, then the roof, so you are not paying for the wrong repair.Explore →
Water Heater Leak DetectionA wet garage floor near the water heater is sometimes runoff from an irrigation valve box outside the wall. We confirm the source before you replace a water heater that was fine.Explore → Ready when you are
Book Irrigation System Leak Detection in Houston Today
Licensed, insured, and working across Harris County since 2013. Call 832-839-4984 and we will schedule a same-day or next-morning window for your irrigation leak diagnosis. Fixed price before we dig.
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Get a Houston Leak Detection Quote
Call us at 832-839-4984 or send an email and we will get back to you fast. We answer the phone 24/7 for emergencies and schedule standard detections same day or next day across Houston and Harris County. Tell us what you are seeing and we will give you a flat detection price over the phone.
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