Leak Detection in South Bend, IN

Water stains on the ceiling, a musty smell in the basement, or a sudden increase in your water bill can all indicate a problem that is not visible. When something does not feel right with the plumbing in your home, you need clear answers and a team you can trust to respond quickly and handle the issue from start to finish.

At Great Lakes Heating & Air Conditioning, we assist homeowners throughout South Bend and the broader Michiana region in identifying and repairing hidden leaks before they escalate into major damage. Our family-owned company has served this community since 1957, and our goal is to make it as simple as possible to protect your home and your peace of mind.

Our factory-trained technicians handle both leak detection and repair, as well as related HVAC, water heater, and electrical concerns. When you contact us, you get a local team that understands how homes in this area are built and how to efficiently and respectfully track down plumbing issues.

High water bills are often the first sign of a hidden leak that could be damaging your home's foundation. Contact us at (574) 498-7556 or fill out our online form to schedule a precision leak detection service today.

What To Expect During Leak Detection

During your appointment, our technician will begin with a visual inspection and a conversation about what you have noticed. From there, we follow a step-by-step approach to narrow down the source of the water, using tools and methods suited to residential plumbing. Our focus is to pinpoint the problem while limiting unnecessary disturbance to walls, ceilings, and floors whenever possible.

Once we have identified the likely source, we present our findings in clear and concise terms. You will know which parts of your plumbing system appear to be affected, what your options are for plumbing leak repair, and what each option entails. For larger or more complex projects, we provide complimentary proposals to help you make informed decisions with clear pricing information readily available.

Because our technicians are factory-trained and work every day with heating, cooling, water heaters, plumbing, and electrical systems, they understand how leaks can be connected to equipment beyond a single water line. This broad knowledge enables us to assess your entire home, not just one fixture, and recommend solutions that address the immediate problem while also reducing the likelihood of related issues in the future.

Common Signs You May Have a Hidden Plumbing Leak

Not every leak shows up as a dramatic burst pipe. In many homes, especially those with finished basements or older construction, small leaks can remain undetected for weeks or months. Paying attention to subtle changes in your home can help you spot trouble early and call for help before damage spreads.

Changes You Can See

You may notice new or growing water stains on ceilings or walls, even when no one has spilled anything above that area. Paint or drywall might start to bubble, peel, or feel soft to the touch. Floors can develop warm or damp patches, and in some cases, you may feel a slight sponginess in wood or laminate flooring that used to feel firm.

Changes You Can Smell or Hear

Other signs are less visible. A persistent musty or earthy odor, especially in basements or closets, can indicate moisture trapped behind surfaces. You might hear faint running water when all fixtures are turned off, or your water meter may move even when you are not using water. An unexplained increase in your water bill is another clue that something is happening out of sight.

If you notice one of these signs once, it may be worth keeping an eye out for a short time. If you notice several leaks together or the problem worsens, it is usually time to contact a professional for leak repair. Our team can assess the situation, confirm whether there is a leak, and help you plan the next steps.

Why Homeowners Choose Our Team for Leak Repair

When water enters places it should not, choosing the right company matters. Homeowners in this area call Great Lakes Heating & Air Conditioning because they want a team that is both highly trained and personally invested in their community. We have served the Michiana region, including South Bend, since 1957, which means generations of families have trusted us with their homes.

As a family-owned company, we treat each visit as more than a transaction. Our goal is to care for your home the way we would want someone to care for ours, by being on time, communicating clearly, and cleaning up our work area when the job is done. Our award-winning technicians and customer service staff collaborate to ensure that every step of your experience, from your initial call to the final walkthrough, is organized and respectful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I really have a hidden leak?

In many cases, you can suspect a hidden leak when something in your home changes without a clear explanation. Signs can include new water stains, damp spots that do not dry out, musty odors, or a water bill that is noticeably higher than usual, even though your usage has not changed. You might also hear running water when no fixtures are in use, or notice warm areas on a floor above hot water lines.

None of these signs alone proves that there is a leak, but several together often suggest that something is happening inside your walls, floors, or plumbing system. If you are unsure, you can call our team, describe what you are seeing, and we can help you decide whether an in-person visit is the next step. During a visit, our technicians can thoroughly investigate and confirm whether a problem requires repair.

Will you have to open my walls or floors to find the leak?

Sometimes, accessing a leak requires opening a wall, ceiling, or floor, but we treat that step as a last resort. Our technicians begin with non-invasive methods, including visual inspection, listening for water movement, and checking fixtures and accessible piping. In many situations, this careful process allows us to narrow down the problem before any surfaces are opened.

If we reach a point where opening a surface is the most practical way to locate a suspected leak, we explain our reasoning before proceeding. You will know which area we need to access, what we expect to find, and how we plan to complete the plumbing leak repair, leaving the space ready for any subsequent finish work. Our goal is to strike a balance between accurate diagnosis and respect for your home.

Can your team handle both leak detection and the repair?

Yes, our team handles both the process of finding leaks and performing the most common residential repairs. That means you do not have to bring in one company to diagnose the issue and another to fix it. Once we identify the likely source, we discuss your options and explain what each repair would entail.

Because our technicians work daily with plumbing, HVAC systems, and water heaters, they can often address related issues simultaneously or inform you when a separate service might be beneficial. For larger projects, we provide complimentary proposals, allowing you to review recommended work and pricing in writing before making a decision on how to proceed.

What will the cost of leak detection and repair be?

The cost of leak detection and repair can vary because every home and situation is different. Factors include the location of the leak, its accessibility, the amount of material that needs to be removed to reach it, and whether any fixtures or sections of pipe require replacement. Smaller repairs often cost less, while leaks that have spread or affected multiple areas can be more extensive and complex.

Our approach is to be as clear as possible about pricing before work begins. After evaluating your situation, we explain our recommendations and the reasoning behind them. For more extensive work, we provide complimentary proposals. This gives you the chance to review the scope and cost before deciding how to proceed.

How long will a typical leak repair visit take?

Many straightforward repairs can be completed in a single visit that lasts a few hours, especially when the leak is easily accessible and limited in scope. More complex situations, such as leaks behind difficult-to-reach surfaces or those involving multiple fixtures, can take longer and sometimes require multiple visits. The materials involved and the need for any additional work, such as drying or cleanup, can also affect timing.

After our technician inspects the problem, they can usually provide a reasonable estimate of how long the repair will take, allowing you to plan your day accordingly. Throughout the process, our team works to stay on schedule and keep you informed if any changes occur that may affect the timeline.

Do you work on leaks from water heaters or HVAC equipment?

Yes, our technicians regularly work with water heaters and HVAC equipment as part of our broader home comfort services. If you see water near a furnace, air conditioner, or water heater, the source could be a plumbing issue, the equipment itself, or a combination of both. Having a single team that understands all these systems can make it easier to identify the root cause of the problem.

During a visit, we look at both the plumbing connections and the equipment in question. When the issue involves plumbing leak repair, we can typically address it directly. If there is a separate concern with the equipment, we explain our findings and discuss the next steps, so you have a complete picture of what is happening.

Schedule Leak Detection With Our Local Team

Ignoring a leak rarely makes it go away. In most cases, small plumbing issues tend to worsen and become more expensive over time. Getting help early can protect your home from damage, reduce the chance of mold, and help keep your utility bills under control. With the right team on your side, leak detection in South Bend can be a straightforward process, not a source of ongoing stress.

Even a small pinhole leak can lead to dangerous mold growth and structural rot if left unaddressed for too long. Contact us at (574) 498-7556 or fill out our online form to have our experts locate the source of your moisture.