Behind walls and above ceilings
Supply and drain pipes run out of sight, so a leak there can go unnoticed until a stain, swollen trim or a musty smell shows up.
Leak Detection and Slab Leak Repair in Tacoma
A hidden leak gives itself away in small ways, such as a brown ring growing on a ceiling, a warm spot in the floor or the hiss of water with every tap closed. One call to us connects you with a plumber who finds and repairs it.
This page covers where leaks hide, which pipe belongs to you, and when Tacoma wants a permit for the repair.
Where hidden leaks turn up
Under a concrete slab
Where pipes run beneath a slab floor, a leak can show as a warm spot, damp flooring or cracks.
In the yard
The water line between the meter and the house is buried, and a break there can leave a soggy patch or push the water bill up with nothing showing indoors.
At fixtures and appliances
Supply hoses, shut-off valves and drain connections under sinks, behind toilets and at the washer can seep slowly into the cabinet or the floor below.
Which water pipe belongs to you
Tacoma Water’s ownership runs from the water main up to the water meter. Beyond that point, the property owner owns the pipe to the home, and the utility recommends bringing in a plumbing professional to inspect what condition it is in.
Repairing an existing residential water line has its own online permit with the City, listed among Tacoma’s ePermits as Water Connection Repair.
Leak repairs and the permit rules
Fixing a leak in a pipe, valve or fixture needs no permit in Tacoma, so long as no valves, pipes or fixtures are replaced or rearranged.
Hidden pipework is another matter. A concealed trap or a drain, water, soil, waste or vent pipe that turns defective and has to come out for new material counts in Tacoma as new work, needing both a permit and an inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a rule for sprinkler systems on the water line?
Yes. Tacoma Water treats irrigation systems, pools, boilers and fire sprinklers as cross connections that may need an approved backflow assembly. The first step is a plumbing permit, which in the city comes from Tacoma Planning and Development Services, and the assembly has to be tested every year by a Washington-certified backflow assembly tester, even if the irrigation system sits unused while connected.
Several pinholes in the same old pipe make repiping worth a look, and a flood under way now is a matter for an emergency call. The homepage holds the rest of what we help with.
Call for a free plumbing estimate
Call us to discuss your current issue and how we can assist you. The call is free and you get a free, personalized estimate with no obligation. We're here to help.
Call (855) 321-3426