Leak Detection in Dallas, GA

What happens when you call

You'll be routed to an independent plumber who works in Dallas and the surrounding part of Paulding County. They'll ask which utility bills you for water, when the bill went up, and whether the meter moves with everything off. On site, the plumber usually confirms the loss at the meter, closes the main valve to split the yard line from indoor plumbing, and isolates branches while listening along the lines until the leak is narrowed down.

What affects the cost

• How quickly the leak can be isolated
• Slab, crawl space or basement construction
• Length of the yard line from the meter
• Detection tools such as acoustic sensors and thermal cameras
• The repair, and a permit: inside city limits, City of Dallas Community Development issues plumbing permits; outside the city, Paulding County does

Dallas conditions

The City of Dallas operates about 37 miles of water distribution lines inside city limits, serving around 2,650 customers, with water purchased from Paulding County Water System. Paulding County also serves parts of the Dallas area, so service depends on the address. City Public Works handles sewer, including main-line and service-line backups. To report a water leak in a city street or right-of-way, call Water Maintenance at 770-443-8110, ext. 1402.

Dallas has roughly tripled in population since 2000, and its housing is young, with a median build year of 2002 and about 17% predating 1980 near the historic downtown. Newer homes usually leak at connections: supply hoses, crimp fittings, water heater connectors and irrigation laterals. The city publishes a service line inventory with its water quality report. We did not find a published Dallas rule on exactly where the city's part of the water service line ends, so if water is pooling at the meter, call the city first.

Before the plumber arrives

• Check whether your bill comes from the City of Dallas or Paulding County
• Take two meter readings an hour apart with nothing running
• Turn off irrigation and find the main shutoff
• Clear access to the water heater and sink cabinets
• Look behind the refrigerator and washer, where hose and ice maker leaks are common in newer homes

If the leak turns out to be under a slab, ask the plumber about both a direct repair and rerouting the line, which is often practical in a house this young.