Slab Leak Detection and Repair in San Clemente, CA
We find the leak under the slab before anything gets opened up.
Water Bill Doubled and the Floor Is Warm?
Those are two of the classic signs of a slab leak, a hot water line leaking under the concrete. Hummel Plumbing locates slab leaks in San Clemente with acoustic listening equipment and pressure testing, so the opening is one small, deliberate spot instead of a torn up floor. Then we talk through whether a spot repair, a reroute, or a repipe makes sense for the house. Call (949) 505-9828, we answer 24 hours a day.
Check for a Hidden Leak in Five Minutes
- 1Turn off every faucet, fixture, and appliance that uses water, including the irrigation.
- 2Find your water meter, usually in a box near the street, and look at the small leak indicator on its face.
- 3If the indicator still turns with everything off, water is going somewhere.
- 4Close the cold water valve on top of your water heater and watch again. If the indicator slows or stops, the leak is likely on the hot water side, which matches a warm floor.
- 5Then call us. Do not start cutting into flooring to chase it yourself, because an opening in the wrong spot does not help locate the leak and it is one more thing to patch.
The Signs, and What They Mean
- A water bill that jumped with no change in habits
- A meter that keeps turning with everything off
- The sound of running water in a quiet house
- A warm spot on the floor, which usually points to a hot water line
- Damp carpet, lifting flooring, or cracks that appear without explanation
- A water heater that seems to run constantly
Any one of these is worth checking. Two together, like a doubled bill and a warm floor, make a slab leak the likely answer.
How We Find It Without Tearing Up the Floor
The worst way to find a slab leak is opening floors and hoping. We use acoustic listening equipment and pressure testing to pinpoint the source first, so the repair is one small access point rather than a remodel you did not plan. You also get clear findings you can take to your insurer.
Spot Repair, Reroute, or Repipe
A spot repair opens the slab at the leak and fixes that one section. It makes sense when the rest of the pipe is sound.
A reroute abandons the leaking line under the slab and runs a new one through the walls or the attic. It avoids breaking concrete and takes the problem pipe out of service for good.
A repipe replaces the supply lines through the whole house. When the copper has started failing in more than one place, it stops the cycle of chasing one leak after another.
We tell you which one we would choose for your house and why, based on the age and condition of the pipe rather than on which job is bigger.
Slab Leaks in San Clemente
Slab leaks are common across South Orange County because so many homes sit on concrete slabs and still run original copper that hard water works on from the inside, while soil movement adds stress from the outside. San Clemente's older neighborhoods fit that pattern, and a slow leak under a slab can run for weeks before anyone notices anything but the bill.
What Customers Say
5.0 stars across 140+ Google reviews.
We've used Jon with Hummel Plumbing a few times now here in San Clemente, and he's been great every single time. He previously installed our tankless water heater, and most recently fixed our outdoor shower and handled a few other items for us. Everything has always been done correctly the first time—no shortcuts. He's friendly, thorough, and clearly takes pride in doing things the right way. He was also able to come out quickly, which we really appreciated. It's honestly such a relief to have a plumber we trust. Highly recommend Jon and Hummel Plumbing!
Showed up earlier than expected, which was clearly communicated and great news. Polite and great work. Pricing up front.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from San Clemente customers.