Plumbing
Leak detection and slab leak repair in Tampa Bay
Ground Up finds hidden water leaks in Tampa Bay homes, inside walls, under cabinets, and under the concrete slab, then repairs them with as little tearing out as we can manage. If your water bill jumped or you hear water running when nothing's on, call or text 727-732-4357 or request a quote.
Updated
- 30+ years in the building industry
- 24/7 emergency line, nights, weekends, holidays
- 2 Florida state licenses: Plumbing CFC1431937, A/C CAC1817931
- Tampa Bay Plumbing and A/C, one call for both trades
01 — What we do
How we find and fix leaks
The goal is to pinpoint the leak before anyone cuts drywall or breaks concrete.
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Meter and pressure testing
We confirm there's a leak, then isolate hot from cold and the house from irrigation to narrow it down.
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Acoustic and thermal locating
Listening equipment and thermal imaging help us narrow a leak under a slab or behind a wall to a small area.
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Spot repairs
For a single slab leak, we can often open the floor in one spot, repair the line, and patch the concrete.
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Reroutes
When a line under the slab is likely to keep failing, rerouting it through the walls or attic can be the more practical fix.
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Wall and cabinet leaks
Leaks behind showers, under sinks, and at supply lines get the same approach: find it, open as little as possible, fix it.
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A clear record
We explain what we found and what we fixed, with photos when it helps, so you know exactly what was done.
02 — Signs
Signs of a hidden or slab leak
Leaks under a slab or inside a wall rarely announce themselves. Watch for these.
- Water bill went up but your usage didn't
- Sound of running water when every fixture is off
- A warm spot on a tile or concrete floor
- Water meter keeps moving with everything shut off
- Damp carpet, buckled wood floors, or cracked grout with no obvious source
- Musty smell or mildew along baseboards
- Water pressure that has slowly dropped
Local
Slab leaks and Florida construction
Most Tampa Bay homes are built slab-on-grade, so water lines often run under or through the concrete. When one of those lines develops a pinhole or wears through where it rubs, the water has nowhere to go but into the soil or up into your flooring. A hot-water slab leak can even leave a warm spot you feel with bare feet.
Older copper lines can corrode over time, and many local homes are now old enough for that wear to show. Sandy soil can shift and settle, putting stress on pipes. None of that means a leak is certain, but it's why slab leaks come up more often here than in places with basements or crawlspaces.
If you suspect a leak, check your water meter with every fixture off. If it's still moving, shut off the main and call us. Catching a leak early limits damage to floors, baseboards, and cabinets, and helps keep mold from getting a start in Florida humidity.
03 — Process
What to expect
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Confirm the leak
We check the meter and pressure-test lines to confirm a leak and narrow down which line it's on.
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Pinpoint it
Using acoustic and thermal tools, we locate the leak as precisely as we can before opening anything.
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Recommend a fix
We explain your options, whether that's a spot repair, a reroute, or in some cases repiping, and what each one involves.
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Repair and retest
We make the repair, pressure-test again to confirm it holds, and tell you what patching is needed.
Licensed for this work in Florida: Certified Plumbing Contractor CFC1431937 · Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC1817931. Financing available. Ask us.
How do I know if I have a slab leak?
Common clues are a water bill that jumped for no reason, the sound of running water when everything is off, a warm spot on the floor, or a water meter that keeps moving with all fixtures shut. Any one of those is worth checking. We can confirm whether there's a leak, and where, before anyone breaks concrete.
Do you have to jackhammer my floor to fix a slab leak?
Not always. If we can pinpoint the leak, a spot repair may mean opening one small section of floor. In some homes, rerouting the line through walls or the attic avoids breaking the slab at all. We'll lay out the options and the trade-offs for your flooring, your schedule, and the chance of future leaks.
Is a slab leak an emergency?
It can be. A slab leak can do serious damage over time, especially on a hot-water line. If water is surfacing or the meter is spinning fast, shut off the main and call us; we're available 24/7. A slow leak still needs attention soon, but you usually have time to plan the right repair.
Why do I keep getting slab leaks?
Repeat leaks often mean the pipe itself is wearing out, not just one bad spot. Corrosion, abrasion where pipe rubs concrete, and water chemistry can all play a part. After a second or third leak, rerouting or repiping is often more practical than chasing one leak at a time.
Quote request
Get a quote: Leak detection
Tell us what's going on and how to reach you. A licensed tech (not a call center) gets back to you.
Need help right now? Call 727-732-4357. We answer 24/7.
Want to add photos or pick a time? Use the full contact form.
Talk to a licensed plumber or A/C tech
Call or text and tell us what's going on. Not urgent? Send a quote request or pick a time that works for you.
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