Quick answer: Hidden leaks show up as a water bill jump, a meter that spins with everything off, stains on ceilings or walls, or warped floors. A plumber can isolate it with pressure tests, moisture meters or thermal imaging before opening walls.
Signs you need leak detection & repair
- Water bill higher with no change in use
- Meter moves with all fixtures off
- Ceiling or wall stains, bubbling paint
- Musty smell or mold near a wall
- Sound of running water when nothing is on
What to do right now
- Read your meter, wait 1 to 2 hours with no water use, read again
- Check under sinks, behind toilets and around the water heater
- Shut the main valve if you find active leaking
- Photograph damage for insurance
Before you hire: 4 checks that take 5 minutes
- License: Suffolk County generally requires a Master Plumber license to run a plumbing business here. Search the County's license lookup by business name or license number (license info). Ask for the license number and confirm the status is active: County licenses renew every two years. How to check a license, step by step.
- Price on the phone: ask for the trip/diagnostic fee and whether pricing is flat-rate or hourly, including after hours.
- Permit: for water heaters, gas work, and sewer or cesspool work, ask who pulls the town/village or County permit.
- Written quote before work, with parts, labor and cleanup listed.
Common questions
How do I check for a leak using my meter?
Turn off every fixture, note the meter reading, wait a couple of hours without using water, and check again. Any change suggests a leak.
Is a running toilet a leak?
Yes, and a common one. A worn flapper can waste a lot of water; it is usually a cheap fix.
Will insurance cover it?
Policies vary. Sudden accidental leaks are more often covered than slow long-term leaks. Ask your insurer before repairs if you can.
Related guides
- Is the water hard in Centereach, and do I need a water softener?
- When should I winterize my outdoor faucets and pipes on Long Island?
Towns we cover for leak detection & repair
- Centereach
- Selden
- Lake Grove
- Ronkonkoma
- Farmingville
- Coram
- Holbrook
- Port Jefferson Station
- Stony Brook
- Smithtown
We're a referral service, not a plumber. Centereach Plumber Connect doesn't do plumbing work or hold plumbing licenses. When you send a request, we try to match you with one independent local plumber. You decide whether to hire them, with no obligation. We may be paid by the plumbers we refer. Always confirm the plumber's Suffolk County license, insurance and a written price before work starts. Look up a Suffolk County license.