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You know something is wrong. Maybe your water bill keeps climbing. Maybe there’s a damp spot on the ceiling that wasn’t there before. Maybe you smell something musty but can’t find the source. Water is getting in somewhere, and until you find where, the damage keeps getting worse.
At Jefferson Water Damage & Restoration Philadelphia, we specialize in finding the leaks that others miss. Using thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters, and years of experience with Philadelphia’s older homes, we locate hidden water intrusion that can go undetected for months or even years. But here’s what makes us different: we don’t just find your leak and hand you a report. We fix the problem and repair the damage it caused.
Most leak detection companies are specialists who find leaks but don’t repair them. Most plumbers fix pipes but aren’t equipped to find hidden leaks or handle the water damage they cause. Jefferson does both, plus mold remediation and full reconstruction if needed. One company, one call, problem solved.
Hidden leaks are tricky because the water damage often shows up far from where the leak actually is. Water travels along pipes, through walls, and across ceilings before it finally becomes visible. Here are the warning signs that something is leaking:
Unexplained increase in water bills: If your water usage has increased but your habits haven't changed, water is going somewhere it shouldn't. Even a small leak can waste thousands of gallons over time.
Damp spots or stains on walls, ceilings, or floors: Discoloration, bubbling paint, or soft spots often indicate water accumulating behind surfaces. By the time you see these signs, the leak has usually been active for a while.
Musty or moldy smell: That earthy, damp smell often means water is collecting somewhere and mold has started to grow. If you can smell it but can't find it, professional leak detection can track down the source.
Sound of running water when nothing is on: If you hear water flowing through pipes when all fixtures are off, there's likely a leak somewhere in your plumbing system.
Warm spots on floors: Unexpected warm areas on tile or hardwood floors can indicate a hot water line leak beneath the slab or subfloor.
Cracks in foundation or walls: Water intrusion can cause soil to shift beneath your foundation, leading to cracks that seem to appear out of nowhere.
Low water pressure: A sudden drop in water pressure throughout your home often indicates that water is escaping somewhere before it reaches your fixtures.
Mold or mildew growth: Visible mold, especially in areas that shouldn't be wet, is a strong indicator of a hidden moisture source feeding the growth.
Already have mold? Learn about our mold remediation services in Philadelphia.
Finding hidden leaks requires the right tools, the right training, and experience with how water behaves in buildings. Here's how we approach every leak detection job:
We start by listening. You describe what you've noticed, when it started, and any patterns you've observed. Then we conduct a thorough visual inspection, checking likely problem areas and looking for signs of water damage that may indicate where the leak is traveling.
Our FLIR thermal imaging cameras detect temperature differences that indicate moisture behind walls, ceilings, and floors. Wet areas appear cooler than dry areas, creating thermal signatures that pinpoint exactly where water is present, even when there's no visible evidence. This non invasive technology lets us see through surfaces without cutting into anything.
Using professional moisture meters, we measure moisture content in building materials throughout the affected area. This creates a map of where moisture exists and how far it has spread, helping us trace the water back to its source.
For plumbing leaks, we use acoustic listening equipment that amplifies the sound of water escaping from pipes. Even tiny leaks create distinct sounds that our equipment can detect through walls, floors, and concrete. This helps pinpoint exactly where in the plumbing system the leak is occurring.
Once we locate the likely source, we confirm it through targeted investigation, which may include water testing or creating a small access point to visually verify the leak. We document everything with photos and detailed notes for your records and for insurance purposes if needed.
We provide a comprehensive report explaining what we found, what's causing it, and what needs to be done to fix it. This includes detailed cost estimates for repair, any water damage restoration needed, and reconstruction to return your property to its original condition.
Water can enter your home from many sources. Our leak detection services cover all of them:
Pipes hidden inside walls, beneath floors, and underground can develop leaks that go unnoticed until significant damage occurs. We locate leaks in supply lines, drain lines, and water heater connections. Philadelphia's older homes often have aging copper pipes prone to pinhole leaks, or outdated galvanized pipes that corrode from the inside out.
When pipes running beneath your concrete foundation develop leaks, the water has nowhere to go but up through the slab or out along the foundation. Slab leaks are particularly common in Philadelphia homes built on concrete foundations and can cause serious structural damage if not addressed.
Water can enter through damaged shingles, deteriorated flashing, clogged gutters, or compromised seals around vents and chimneys. Philadelphia's flat roofed rowhouses are especially prone to ponding water and membrane failures. The water often travels along rafters before dripping down, making the actual entry point difficult to find without professional detection.
Failed caulking, deteriorated weatherstripping, and improperly installed windows allow water to seep into wall cavities during rain. Older windows in Philadelphia homes are particularly susceptible as original seals break down over time.
Water intrusion through basement walls and floors is extremely common in Philadelphia. Hydrostatic pressure pushes groundwater through cracks in foundations, mortar joints in stone foundations fail, and poor drainage directs water toward rather than away from buildings.
Failed grout, cracked tiles, worn shower pan liners, and faulty connections behind walls allow water to escape into surrounding structures. These leaks often go unnoticed because they occur behind walls and beneath floors, only becoming apparent when damage appears in adjacent rooms or the ceiling below.
Planning a bathroom renovation? Our bathroom remodeling services in Philadelphia include proper waterproofing to prevent future leaks.
This is where Jefferson differs from most leak detection companies. Finding the leak is only step one. Here's what we do next:
We fix the leak: Whether it's a plumbing repair, roof repair, or waterproofing solution, we handle the repair work to stop water at its source. No need to call another contractor and start the process over.
We address water damage: If the leak has caused water damage to walls, ceilings, floors, or personal property, our water damage restoration team takes over. We extract moisture, dry the structure, and prevent mold from developing.
Learn about our complete water damage restoration services in Philadelphia.
We handle mold if present: Hidden leaks often lead to hidden mold. If we find mold growth during our investigation, our mold remediation team can address it as part of the same project.
We rebuild what was damaged: Once everything is dry and clean, we handle reconstruction. Drywall, painting, flooring, whatever was damaged gets restored to its original condition. When we're done, it will be like the leak never happened.
See our home remodeling and reconstruction services in Philadelphia.
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Immediate Response
24/7 emergency dispatch
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Free Assessment
Transparent inspection and estimate
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Insurance Coordination
We work directly with your provider
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Restoration & Repair
From damage control to complete rebuild
We find the leak AND fix the problem: Most leak detection specialists hand you a report and leave. Most plumbers can fix pipes but don't have the equipment to find hidden leaks. Jefferson does both, plus water damage restoration, mold remediation, and reconstruction. One company handles everything from detection to complete restoration.
We know Philadelphia homes. Rowhouses with shared walls: Stone foundations that weep water. Aging copper pipes with pinhole leaks. Flat roofs that pond water. We've seen it all and know where to look for problems specific to local construction.
Advanced detection technology: FLIR thermal imaging, professional moisture meters, and acoustic listening equipment let us find leaks without unnecessary demolition. We locate the problem precisely before making any cuts.
Water damage expertise: Leak detection is part of what we do, but water damage restoration is our core business. We understand how water behaves in buildings and how to properly dry and restore structures after leaks are repaired.
IICRC certified technicians: Our team holds certifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, ensuring professional standards and proper techniques.
Insurance claim support: We document everything for insurance purposes and work directly with adjusters when leak damage is covered by your policy.
Jefferson Restoration provides leak detection services throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Whether you're dealing with a mystery leak in a Center City condo or water intrusion in a Germantown stone house, we can help.
Philadelphia neighborhoods we serve: Center City, South Philadelphia, Northern Liberties, Fishtown, Kensington, Port Richmond, Frankford, Manayunk, Roxborough, Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy, Germantown, West Philadelphia, University City, and all surrounding areas.
Surrounding areas: Upper Darby, Camden, Cheltenham, Bensalem, and throughout Delaware, Montgomery, and Bucks counties.
If you have moisture on your walls and you’re not sure where it’s coming from, you need our service. Prevent problems such as structural damage or mold that can harm your health.
Leak detection costs vary based on the complexity of the search and the size of the property. Basic leak detection for a standard home typically ranges from $150 to $400. More complex situations involving multiple potential sources or difficult to access areas may cost more. We provide free estimates and will give you specific pricing before any work begins.
Most residential leak detection jobs take 1 to 3 hours depending on the size of the property and the nature of the leak. Simple, localized leaks may be found quickly. Complex situations involving multiple potential sources or leaks that have traveled significant distances take longer to trace back to their origin.
Policies vary, but many homeowners insurance policies cover leak detection when it's necessary to investigate a covered loss. The resulting water damage and repairs are often covered as well. We recommend contacting your insurance company before filing a claim, and we can help document everything needed for the claims process.
Our thermal imaging and moisture detection equipment allows us to locate leaks non invasively in most cases. However, confirming the exact source sometimes requires creating small access points to visually verify the leak. We keep any necessary cuts as small as possible and can repair them as part of our restoration services.
If you can see exactly where a pipe is leaking, a plumber can fix it directly. If you know there's a leak but can't find it, you need leak detection services first. Jefferson offers both, so you don't have to choose. We can find the leak, repair it, and restore any damage all in one process.
That's exactly what professional leak detection determines. Water damage often appears far from the actual leak source, making it difficult to tell where water is originating. Our detection process traces the water back to its entry point, whether that's plumbing, roofing, windows, or foundation issues.
Yes. Slab leaks are one of our specialties. Using acoustic detection equipment, thermal imaging, and pressure testing, we can locate leaks in pipes running beneath concrete foundations without jackhammering exploratory holes.
Hidden leaks often lead to hidden mold growth. If we discover mold during our investigation, we can address it immediately through our mold remediation services. This is another advantage of working with a full service restoration company rather than a detection only specialist.
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