Yard Leak Detection: Fort Worth Homeowner's Guide

Tarrant County requests for residential yard leak detection have increased over the last 3 years, as more homeowners learn about the value proposition of catching a small underground water leak before it becomes a bigger issue.

Water leak detection offers the best cost-value ratio of any preventative plumbing service in Texas. The average cost of Texas yard leak detection service is $500-$1,000 — compare that to a main line pipe replacement cost of $5,000-$12,500.

This guide to yard leak detection helps Fort Worth area homeowners diagnose a potential water leak, find the possible source, and select the best professional leak detection service.

• Check your water meter first. If you turn off your water supply, your dial or digital display shouldn’t indicate any new usage. If it does, you have a pipe leak.
• There are 10 telltale signs of a yard leak. Look for wet spots in your lawn, puddles around sprinkler heads, cracked pavement, and increases to your water bill.
• Yard water leaks are often caused by corrosion and tree roots. Check for broken sprinkler heads or cracks and intrusions in your main sewer line first.
• A quality yard leak detection company offers 6 core services. Acoustic leak detection, hydrostatic pressure testing and camera inspection are non-negotiables.

To research this article, we referenced 3 years of internal plumbing service data from Fort Worth and Tarrant County leak detection jobs. Then, we supplemented that data with expert insights from our master and journeyman plumbers.

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Do I Have an Underground Water Leak in My Yard?

It can be difficult to tell the difference between an outdoor pipe leak and flooding due to heavy rains. Tarrant County homeowners who experience leaks in March and April often mistake them for flooding and delay calling a plumber — this allows the pipe damage to get worse.

So, do you have an underground water leak or not? Here are some DIY ways to figure it out before you call us for professional leak detection service.

Suspect a yard leak? How to check your water meter

If you think you have a pipe leak, the first thing to do is turn off all water sources in your home. This will allow you to accurately read your water meter.

Next, go to your water meter. It’s usually located outside your home near the street. It’s housed within a small plastic or metal box (which may be underground). Look for a lid marked with the word “WATER” or “METER”.

Open the lid, and look for a dial or digital display. If you have a dial, there shouldn’t be any movement with the water turned off. If you have a digital display, the water usage rate should be static. 

If your dial is moving or your water usage is increasing, you probably have a water leak.

Underground pipe leak or flooding? 3 ways to tell

Here are 3 ways to tell the difference between a flooded yard and a possible underground pipe leak:

1. Rate of onset. Signs of an underground water leak develop slowly and get worse over time. A flooded yard due to heavy rains happens quickly and then dissipates.
2. Size of impact. Heavy rains cause widespread impact, creating soggy soil and large puddles. Pipe leaks have more localized impact — look for small green patches, small puddles and cracks in your driveway.
3. Check your water bill. If you still aren’t sure, check your next water bill. A flooding event won’t affect your utility costs — a hidden pipe leak certainly will.

10 signs you have a hidden leak in your yard

There are visual indicators of a possible yard leak that Texas homeowners can use year-round. If you suspect a potential leak, spot-check your yard with this checklist.

These are 10 telltale signs of an underground pipe leak in your yard:

1. Fast-moving water meter.
2. Increased water bill.
3. Decreased indoor water pressure.
4. Wet spots in your lawn.
5. Unusually green lawn spaces.
6. Flooding around sprinkler heads.
7. Cracked pavement or driveway.
8. Sewage smell in your yard.
9. Foundation cracks.
10. Dirt in your indoor water supply.

3 Most Common Sources of Yard Water Leaks

If you have a water leak in your yard, these are the 3 most likely places it’s happening:

1. Main water line (aka sewer line or main line). The most common location of outdoor pipe leaks is your main line. Older pipe systems are prone to corrosion and pinhole leaks that expand into cracks.
2. Broken sprinkler heads. Broken sprinkler heads easily cause water leaks in your yard. Look for pooled water around your sprinkler heads.
3. Sprinkler system. It’s often harder to locate leaks in sprinkler system pipes due to their size. A few small leaks can go overlooked for months.

Corrosion and tree roots are common culprits

Corrosion is a common cause of cracked and broken pipes, especially in older systems. Pay attention to your sewer line if it’s over the following ages:

• Galvanized steel: 25 years old
• Cast iron: 30 years old
• Copper: 40-50 years old

Texas is home to some of the most beautiful old trees in America. But those old crape myrtles and live oaks have extensive tree root systems that can penetrate and damage your pipes. Keep an eye on large trees near your main line.

Cost of Water Leak Detection Services in Texas

The average cost of professional water leak detection services in Texas is $500-$1,000. This cost depends on the quality of detection equipment used, the extent of your leak, and the experience level of your plumber. 

Compare this to the average cost of sewer line replacement, which is between $5,000-$12,500.

Water leak detection prices in Fort Worth and Tarrant County are slightly higher than the state average due to higher labor costs. 

We offset these costs by offering a full suite of leak detection equipment, including acoustic leak detection, in-depth camera inspection, and advanced infrared leak location technology.

Hire an Expert Yard Leak Detection Company

Now isn’t the time to “just hire anybody” — the difference between simple leak detection and the cost of a burst pipe can be over $10,000.

Texas plumbers must have specific local knowledge to adequately conduct yard leak detection appointments. 

Texas soil has a high clay content, which means it expands and contracts greatly due to water retention. This makes it difficult to differentiate between a yard leak and water retention from high rains — a master plumber will know what to look for.

Older Tarrant County homes often have copper or cast iron pipes that have corroded or been compromised by oak tree roots. A qualified master plumber can navigate these issues without causing further damage to your main sewer line.

6 Services Your Yard Leak Detection Company Must Offer

A quality plumbing company should offer 6 services when locating a water leak in your yard:

1. Acoustic leak detection
2. Electronic leak detector
3. Infrared thermography
4. Hydrostatic pressure testing and diagnostics
5. Underground camera inspection
6. Trenchless ("no dig") leak detection

Acoustic leak detection

Acoustic leak detection is a highly-preferred method of leak detection, as it’s fully non-destructive and extremely accurate. You get pinpoint precision with no digging, even in heavily buried pipes.

This service uses highly-sensitive microphones to pick up sound waves from leaking water underground. These high-frequency waves are amplified to analyze patterns and direction. The sound is triangulated to determine the exact location of your yard leak.

Electronic leak detector

Electronic leak detection is similar to acoustic leak detection, except it relies on electrical signals to identify a leak.

An electronic leak detector senses changes in conductivity due to the presence of water. This allows it to find wet areas underground surrounded by dry soil — a telltale sign of leakage.

Infrared thermography

Thermal imaging is an evolving technology used to gauge temperature differences in and around your pipe system. 

Water leaking from a pressurized pipe often raises or lowers the temperature of the surrounding soil. An infrared camera is used to detect these temperature changes, and display them as thermal images.

Thermography has some drawbacks — insulated pipes can mask temperature changes, and pinhole leaks are harder to spot. However, pairing thermal imaging with acoustic leak detection is a powerful combination.

Hydrostatic pressure testing and diagnostics

Hydrostatic tests are a proven physical method of finding pressure differences within a pipe system. The pipe in question is isolated, then fitted with a pressure gauge and filled with water.

The system is pressurized to an established level and all air pockets are removed. Any drop in pressure indicates a leak within the pipe system. While not as precise as an acoustic leak detector, hydrostatic tests are incredibly effective — able to indicate even pinhole leaks.

Any reputable plumbing company should be able to offer hydrostatic testing services.

Underground camera inspection

Expect a main line or sewer camera inspection with every professional leak detection. We keep photo and video records of all sewer camera inspections on file for customer review — they’re here if needed for insurance or reimbursement claims.

This visual inspection is a great final step in your leak detection service appointment. 

Trenchless ("no dig") leak detection

Your leak detection service should be as minimally invasive as possible. Whether you opt for open trench or trenchless leak repair, finding the leak shouldn’t require much digging (if any).

DFW’s Most Trusted Professional Leak Detection Service

If you suspect an underground pipe leak, get in front of it fast with professional yard leak detection. This preventative maintenance is 1/10th the cost of a potential sewer line replacement on your property.

Check your water meter first, then look for visual signs of a water leak in your yard — especially pooled water near sprinkler heads, unusually damp spots, and driveway cracks.

A quality Texas yard leak detection company offers a complete suite of services, including acoustic leak detection, infrared thermography and hydrostatic pressure testing. Reach out and see why Tarrant County homeowners trust our fast, thorough yard leak detection professionals.

Schedule a yard leak detection appointment fast!