Leak detection typically costs about $150 to $400 for a standard visit, and published guides run as wide as $100 to $600 once slab work or a camera is involved. Fixing the leak is a separate cost, from about $150 for an exposed pipe to several thousand dollars for a line under concrete. All of these are guides from national sources, so Los Angeles access and permits can push a quote up or down. For the wider set of leak topics, see our leaks and burst pipes hub. The home page explains how we arrange a visit.
How much should a plumber cost to fix a leak?
Published guides put a typical plumbing leak repair between about $150 and $850, with minor water line repairs reaching $1,500 and main water line repairs commonly $350 to $1,700. The price depends on where the pipe is and how hard it is to reach, not on the size of the drip. An exposed pipe under a sink is cheap. A pipe behind tile or under concrete is not.
| Job | Published range | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Finding the leak (standard detection) | About $100 to $500 | Method, access, size of the house |
| Slab leak detection only | About $150 to $600 | Equipment, number of lines |
| Repair of an exposed pipe or fitting | About $150 to $850 | Pipe material, access, parts |
| Minor water line repair | About $190 to $1,500 | Depth, length, access |
| Main water line leak | About $350 to $1,700, averaging near $1,000 | Trenching, surface repair |
| Slab leak repair overall | About $630 to $4,400, averaging about $2,300 | Method, floor finish, permit |
| Rerouting lines | $1,500 to $15,000 | Length, walls, number of fixtures |
A plumber's quote usually mixes labor and parts, a trip fee, and the cost of opening and closing a wall or floor. Ask for these as separate lines. Anything not on the quote should be treated as not priced, not as free.
What does leak detection cost on its own?
Leak detection alone typically costs $150 to $400, with a national average near $280 and a wider spread of $100 to $500 across published guides. Camera and slab investigations run higher, $350 to $900 in one plumber's guide. Detection is billed separately from the repair, and some companies credit the fee if you go ahead with their repair.
What you are paying for is the answer to "where is the leak?" A plumber may use a pressure test, an acoustic listening device, thermal imaging or a camera. The price depends on which are needed and how long the search takes. A written report is worth asking for, one that lists what was found and what was ruled out.
Before you book, do the free check yourself. EPA WaterSense says to read the water meter, use no water for two hours, then read it again. If the number changed, you probably have a leak. LADWP's method is shorter: shut off all water and look at the leak detection gauge on the meter. This does not say where the leak is, but it tells you whether paying for detection makes sense.
Why does leak detection cost differ from one Los Angeles home to another?
For a Los Angeles house the number depends on what the pipe is made of and where it runs. Older homes can have galvanized steel, copper or in some cases plastic lines routed through slab, crawlspace or walls. A slab-on-grade house pushes the work toward slab methods, while a raised-foundation home often has a crawlspace where the pipe can be seen and reached for less.
Every leak also costs you while you wait. EPA WaterSense says the average household's leaks waste more than 9,300 gallons a year, and about 9 percent of homes have leaks wasting 50 gallons or more per day. A detection visit that finds a slow leak early can pay for itself in water saved and damage avoided.
If your water bill jumped, see our guide to why a water bill gets so high. A leak is only one of the causes.
How much does it cost to fix a water pipe that is leaking?
Fixing a leaking water pipe usually costs about $150 to $850 when the pipe is exposed and the failure is a joint or a small section. Costs climb when the leak is inside a wall, under the floor or buried outside, because the plumber has to open the surface and repair it afterward. A written quote should show access and surface repair as their own lines.
Typical cost factors:
- Pipe material: copper, PEX, galvanized steel and PVC each need different parts and methods.
- Access: an open crawlspace or garage wall is cheap. A tiled shower wall is not.
- Number of failures: if the same pipe has leaked more than once, a longer section or a repipe may be cheaper in the end.
- Permit: some replacement work needs a LADBS permit and inspection.
- Surface repair: drywall, paint, tile and flooring are often priced separately.
If the pipe is copper and the leak is small, the repair is often a short section. Our page on how to repair a copper pipe leak shows the options.
What does an outside water leak repair cost?
An outside leak between the meter and the house, or in a yard line, commonly runs from a few hundred dollars to about $1,700 for a main water line, with minor repairs from about $190, based on published guides. Trenching, concrete or landscaping to restore, and the length of pipe push the price up. A new line from the meter can cost more.
On your side of the meter, the pipe and the repair are yours. LADWP does not repair leaks on private property. After an underground leak on your property is repaired, you may qualify for an LADWP billing adjustment. Requests must be made within 12 months of the leak and need copies of your repair receipts. LADWP honors one such request in a 24-month period. Leaking sprinklers, faucets, toilets, water heaters and pool equipment do not qualify.
Ask your plumber to write the location, cause and repair on the invoice, because LADWP's review asks for receipts.
How much does a water leak under a concrete slab cost to repair?
A leak under a concrete slab typically costs about $1,500 to $3,500 for a spot repair and $2,000 to $5,000 to reroute the line through walls or the attic, with big reroutes or repipes costing $7,500 to $15,000 or more. The overall average in one national guide is about $2,300, with a range of $630 to $4,400.
The method is the biggest driver. A spot repair is cheaper if the rest of the pipe is in good shape. If the pipe is old and has failed before, a reroute may cost more now and less over time. For the full picture, see our slab leak repair cost page and the guide to choosing a slab leak repair company.
Floor restoration is where quotes differ most. Ask who replaces tile, wood or carpet and whether that is in the price.
What should I do next if I think I have a leak?
Run the meter check, shut the water at the main if you can see damage, and photograph anything wet. Then ask for a written quote that separates detection, repair, permit and surface repair. Keep the invoice and any receipts, because insurers and LADWP may ask for them. We'll arrange a local plumber to visit through the quote page.
If water is actively running, treat it as urgent and shut the main first. Our burst water pipe page covers what to do while you wait for help.
Common questions
How long does plumber leak detection take?
A straightforward visit often takes an hour or two. A leak that is hard to locate, such as one under a slab or in a large house with several lines, can take longer because the plumber may test line by line. The detection visit usually ends with a verbal or written result, and the repair is scheduled afterward. Ask how long the visit will run when you book.
What should I ask before I hire someone for leak detection?
Ask which method will be used, what the fee covers, whether a written report comes with it and whether the fee counts toward a repair. Ask what happens if the leak is not found. Look up the plumber's CSLB record at cslb.ca.gov. California caps a deposit at $1,000 or 10 percent of the price, whichever is lower.
Does someone need to be at the property?
Yes, you or a trusted adult should be present. The plumber needs the meter, the main valve and every room with signs of water, and may shut the supply off during testing. You will also want to hear the finding in person. Renters should let the landlord know a visit is planned.
How much does it cost to fix a leak on a car?
That is a different trade, and we can't give a figure. Car leaks of coolant, oil or fuel are a mechanic's job, and the price depends on the part and the shop. If you came here after a water leak at home, the ranges on this page are for household plumbing.
Is leak detection worth the money?
Often, when the source is hidden. A leak you cannot see keeps wasting water, and the EPA says average household leaks waste more than 9,300 gallons a year. Paying a few hundred dollars to locate it can avoid cutting open the wrong wall. If the leak is visible and exposed, skip detection and go straight to repair.