Water Line Leak Detection — Greater Seattle
Find hidden underground leaks before they drain your wallet
Suspect a Leak in Your Water Line?
If your water bill has spiked, your yard has unexplained wet spots, or your meter keeps spinning when everything’s off — there’s a good chance you have a leak in your main water line somewhere between the street and your house.
Done Right Plumbing specializes in locating underground water line leaks. We’ll pinpoint exactly where your line is leaking so you know what you’re dealing with — and can make an informed decision about repair or replacement.
Signs of an Underground Water Line Leak
These warning signs often indicate a leak in your main water service line:
- ✓Unexplained spike in your water bill — often the first sign of a hidden leak
- ✓Water meter running when nothing’s on — turn off all fixtures and watch the meter dial
- ✓Wet or soggy spots in your yard — especially along the path from the street to your home
- ✓Unusually green grass in one area — the leak is watering that section for free
- ✓Water pooling near your foundation — the leak may be right at the house connection
- ✓Low water pressure throughout the house — not just one fixture, but everywhere
- ✓Sound of running water — you may hear the leak when standing in your yard
- ✓Mud or erosion near the water line path — water washing away soil underground
Our Water Line Leak Detection Process
Meter Test
First, we confirm there’s actually a leak by isolating your water system and checking the meter. If the meter keeps moving with everything off, you’ve got a leak between the meter and the house.
Pressure Testing
We pressurize your water line and monitor for pressure drops that confirm a leak and help estimate its size.
Visual Inspection
We walk the line path looking for wet spots, unusually green grass, soft soil, or signs of water surfacing. Often the leak location is visible once you know what to look for.
Locating the Line
We identify where your water line runs from the meter to the house, so we know the area we’re working with.
Who’s Responsible for the Leak?
In most areas around Greater Seattle, the homeowner is responsible for the water line from the meter to the house. The utility owns and maintains everything from the street main to the meter.
This means if your leak is between the meter and your home — which is usually the case — it’s on you to repair or replace. The good news: we can help you figure out where the leak is and whether it falls on your side of the meter.
Some local districts with this typical homeowner responsibility include:
- ✓Alderwood Water & Wastewater District (Lynnwood area)
- ✓Seattle Public Utilities
- ✓Everett Public Works
- ✓Snohomish County PUD
If the leak is on the utility’s side (between the main and the meter), contact your water provider — they’ll handle it at no cost to you.
Tip: Some utilities offer a one-time leak adjustment on your bill after you’ve repaired the leak. It’s worth calling your water provider to ask — you may be able to get a partial credit for the extra water usage while the line was leaking. Our guide to who is responsible for a water service leak and how to request a billing adjustment walks through the Seattle-area utility programs and the paperwork they ask for.
What Causes Underground Water Line Leaks?
Age and Corrosion
Older galvanized steel lines corrode from the inside out over decades. Pinhole leaks develop and grow until you notice the water loss.
Failing Polybutylene (Poly) Pipe
Poly pipe was installed in many 1980s–90s homes and is notorious for failure. Once a poly line starts leaking, it rarely stops — the material degrades throughout the entire line, not just at one spot. Patching one leak usually means another appears weeks or months later. For poly lines, we always recommend bypassing the old pipe entirely with a new PEX-A water line. It’s the only long-term solution.
Ground Movement
Seattle’s clay soils expand and contract with moisture. This shifting can crack pipes or pull joints apart over time.
Tree Root Damage
Tree roots seek water and can crush or penetrate aging water lines — especially near large trees.
Poor Original Installation
Lines that weren’t bedded properly, used substandard fittings, or were backfilled with large heavy jagged rocks resting on the pipe fail earlier than they should. We see this often — rocks shift over time and eventually wear through or crack the line.
What Happens After We Find the Leak?
Once we’ve located your water line leak, we’ll explain your options:
- ✓Spot repair — if the leak is isolated and the rest of the line is in good shape
- ✓Full water line replacement — often the smarter choice for older or failing pipe materials
- ✓Trenchless water line replacement — we drill a new path with our in-house directional drill, then pull the new pipe back through with minimal digging
We’ll give you honest advice about whether repair makes sense or if you’re better off replacing a line that’s likely to leak again. See our main water line repair page for more on repair vs. replacement.
Why Choose Done Right Plumbing?
- ✓Outdoor water line specialists — it’s what we do every day
- ✓50+ years combined experience in the greater Seattle area
- ✓300+ five-star Google reviews from real homeowners
- ✓We own our own directional drilling rig — no waiting on subcontractors
- ✓Upfront pricing — you’ll know your options and costs before we start
- ✓WA Contractor License #DONERRP852N5 — fully licensed, bonded & insured
We Serve Lynnwood, Everett & Surrounding Areas
Underground water line leaks are common in older homes throughout Lynnwood, Everett, and the surrounding communities. 1950s–70s homes with original galvanized lines and 1980s–90s homes with polybutylene are especially prone to leaks. We locate these leaks quickly so you can move forward with a solution.
Related services: Main Water Line Repair | Trenchless Water Line Replacement | Emergency Plumbing
FAQs About Water Line Leak Detection
How much does water line leak detection cost?
Detection costs depend on how straightforward the situation is. Many leak locations can be identified quickly; others require more investigation. We provide upfront pricing before we start. Call us at 425-245-7552 for a free estimate.
How do you find an underground water line leak?
We use pressure testing to confirm there’s a leak, then walk the line path looking for visible signs — wet spots, soft ground, green grass, or water surfacing. Combined with knowing where the line runs, we can usually narrow down the leak location.
My water bill spiked but I don’t see any wet spots — can you still find it?
Often, yes. We can confirm a leak exists with pressure testing, and sometimes the signs are subtle until you know what to look for. That said, some leaks drain deep into sandy soil and don’t surface. In those cases, the best solution is often to bypass the line entirely with a new PEX-A water line rather than hunt for a leak that’s hard to pinpoint.
Do you fix the leak after you find it?
Yes — we’re a full-service plumbing company. Once we locate the leak, we’ll explain your repair and replacement options with upfront pricing. One company, one call.
Can I get a credit on my water bill after the leak is fixed?
Some utilities offer a one-time leak adjustment after you’ve completed the repair. It’s worth calling your water provider — you may be able to get a partial credit for the extra usage while the line was leaking.
Is the water line leak my responsibility or the utility’s?
In most Greater Seattle areas, you’re responsible for the line from the meter to your house. The utility handles everything from the street main to the meter. If the leak is on your side — which is usually the case — it’s on you to repair or replace.
Think You Have a Water Line Leak?
Don’t keep paying for water that’s soaking into your yard. Call Done Right Plumbing for professional water line leak detection in the greater Seattle area.