A hidden leak you cannot see
A bill that climbs, a meter that moves with every tap off, or water running in a wall. We listen along the lines, pressure-test the system, and isolate hot from cold to narrow it down.
Leak Detection and Repair
Pipe Leak Repair & Leak Detection in Durham, NC
A stain on the ceiling, a water bill that jumped, or the sound of water with everything off? We find the leak first, then repair it. You see the cause and the price in writing before any pipe is cut.
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Leaks in Durham
Pipe leak problems we handle in Durham
Six leaks behind most of our Durham calls. Where the water shows up is not always where the leak is, which is why we locate before we repair.
Burst pipes in a cold snap
Pipes in crawlspaces, exterior walls, and unheated garages can freeze and split. Shut off the main, open a faucet to drain the line, and call. We repair the split and check the rest of the run.
Pinhole leaks in copper
Older copper can develop pinholes that spray a fine mist or stain a wall. One pinhole often means the pipe is thin elsewhere, so we look at the surrounding run before we patch it.
Polybutylene and galvanized pipe
Homes built in the Triangle between 1978 and 1995 may have polybutylene that fails at fittings. Older homes may have galvanized pipe that corrodes from the inside. We find the leak and tell you whether the pipe has more of them coming.
Crawlspace and basement leaks
Many Durham homes sit over crawlspaces or basements, so the plumbing is visible from below. Damp insulation, a stained joist, or drips on the floor trace back to a joint or a pipe we can reach.
Ceiling stains and wall damp
A stain on the ceiling is often a supply line, a drain, or a fixture connection upstairs. We trace it before opening drywall so the hole is as small as it can be.
Clear Answers
How we handle a leak
- 1
Locate it
We check the meter, listen with detection equipment, pressure-test the lines, and isolate hot from cold. You get the location and the line before a repair is proposed.
- 2
Patch or repipe, with the price
A single failed joint is a patch. A pipe that is failing in several places is a repipe conversation. We tell you which one we see and why, with the price in writing.
- 3
Repair and test
We repair the leak, pressure-test the line, and check the surrounding pipe. We pull permits where the city requires them.
Durham Homes
Where Durham homes leak
Durham's older in-town homes in Forest Hills, Hope Valley, and Downtown Durham are often on crawlspaces or basements, with copper, galvanized, or mixed piping. Those leaks are usually visible from below once you know where to look. In newer suburban neighborhoods like Southpoint and Woodcroft, the risk is different: homes built from 1978 to 1995 may have polybutylene, and fittings give out before the pipe does.
Clay soil swells and shrinks through the year and moves buried lines, so yard leaks are part of the picture too. If you suspect the line from the meter to the house, see our page on water lines in Durham. If the leak may be under a slab, see slab leak repair in Durham. If the water is actively spreading, shut off the main and call. Our emergency plumber page explains what to do first.
Our shop is at 3460 Apex Pkwy in Apex, and we work Monday through Saturday, 7:00 to 18:00. Call, text, or book online. For everything else in town, see our Durham plumber page.
Durham neighborhoods we serve
- Southpoint
- Hope Valley
- Forest Hills
- Downtown Durham
- Brightleaf
- North Durham
- SW Durham
- Woodcroft
Commercial Leak Repair
Commercial leak detection and repair in Durham
A leak in a restaurant, salon, office, or small multifamily building can mean damaged inventory and unhappy tenants. We locate it, repair it, and work around your hours where we can.
Restaurants and salons
Constant water use puts pressure on supply lines and fittings. We find the leak, repair it, and check the rest of the run so it does not come back next month.
Small multifamily
A leak in one unit can damage the one below. We trace it quickly and give property managers a clear explanation of the cause and the repair.
Offices and churches
Water bill spikes in a building nobody is in overnight are a sign of a hidden leak. We run meter and pressure tests to find it.
Helpful Details
Leak questions from Durham
How do you find a hidden leak in Durham?
We check the meter with everything off, listen along the lines with detection equipment, pressure-test the system, and isolate hot from cold. That tells us which line is leaking and roughly where, before any wall or floor is opened.
How much does pipe leak repair cost in Durham?
It depends on where the leak is, what the pipe is, how much has to be opened to reach it, and whether a patch or a repipe makes sense. We give you the price in writing before work starts.
My water bill jumped. Do I have a leak?
Possibly. Check for a running toilet first. If everything is off and the meter still moves, there is a leak somewhere. We locate it, whether it is in the house, the yard, or the service line.
What do I do about a burst pipe?
Shut off the main water valve, open a faucet to drain the line, and call (919) 679-1275. Move belongings away from the water. We repair the burst section and check the rest of the pipe.
Patch or repipe?
One failed fitting is a patch. Polybutylene, galvanized, or old copper failing in several places is a repipe conversation. We show you what we found and explain which fits.
Is my leak under the slab?
If your home is on a slab and you see a warm floor spot, damp flooring, or hear running water, possibly. See our slab leak page for Durham. We test the lines to give you a real answer.
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Serving Durham and the rest of the Triangle: Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Holly Springs, Raleigh and Morrisville. Not sure we cover your address? Call (919) 679-1275 and ask.
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“Matt was amazing! I've worked with many plumbing companies, and I will definitely contact Sweetwater Plumbing for all my plumbing needs moving forward.”
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Keila Feracho
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“Sweetwater saved the day! I had an active leak from a water pipe in the ceiling. They fixed the leak promptly and did a great cleanup job.”
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Sandy Alex
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“Chris arrived on time and made an assessment. A most conscientious and capable young man — the quality of his work was outstanding.”
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Bodin Schexnayder
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“Great job. Punctual, professional, took time to explain the work, what my options were, and let me choose.”
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Krista Summitt
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“Joseph was a great technician. He investigated the problem and walked me through every step of the way. So kind and patient.”
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Connie Knox
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“I needed repair work done on short notice after a house inspection. Excellent work and great folks to work with.”
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Jack Frankenfield
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