Leak Detection in Hot Springs, AR

Finding a leak used to mean guessing, then digging or cutting until you got lucky. Bowen Plumbing now runs professional tracer-gas leak detection across Hot Springs, AR, so we can pinpoint a hidden leak in a pool, under a slab, inside a wall, or buried up to 10 feet deep in the yard, and open only the spot that needs repair.

Here is how it works. We isolate the suspect line and pressurize it with a safe tracer gas, a 95% nitrogen / 5% hydrogen mix that is non-toxic and non-flammable. Hydrogen is the lightest gas there is, so it escapes through even a pinhole and rises straight up through soil, concrete, tile, and drywall. Our Multi-Pro detector sweeps the surface above the line and alarms exactly where the gas is surfacing. That is the leak. Combined with acoustic listening equipment and pressure testing, it turns a day of exploratory demolition into a marked spot on the floor.

David Bowen has been finding leaks in Hot Springs homes since 1985. The equipment is new; the honest approach is not. We tell you exactly what we found, where it is, and what it will take to fix it, then we handle the repair too if you want us to.

Leak Detection by Bowen Plumbing in Hot Springs, AR

What’s included

Tracer-gas (hydrogen/nitrogen) detection for pinpoint accuracy
Pool and spa leaks, including plumbing under the deck
Slab leaks under concrete, tile, and hardwood floors
Leaks inside walls and ceilings without exploratory cutting
Buried water and yard lines up to 10 feet deep
Acoustic listening and pressure testing to confirm findings
Marked location plus a written explanation of what we found
Repair by the same licensed team, no second contractor needed

Explore leak detection

We handle every part of the job. Choose the service you need:

Why tracer gas finds leaks other methods miss

Acoustic detection listens for the sound of water escaping a pipe. It works well on pressurized metal lines close to the surface, but a slow leak in a PEX or PVC line, a leak under a thick slab, or a line buried deep in wet Arkansas clay can be nearly silent. Tracer gas does not need sound. If the line holds pressure and gas is getting out, the gas will find its way to the surface and our detector will find the gas.

That is why we use both. Pressure testing tells us whether a leak exists and roughly how bad it is. Acoustic gear gets us to the neighborhood. Tracer gas gets us to the exact square foot, so the repair is a small access hole instead of a trench across the yard or a hallway of ripped-up tile.

Signs you may need leak detection

Most hidden leaks announce themselves indirectly. If you notice any of the following at your Hot Springs area home or business, it is worth having us test the system before the damage spreads.

Water bill climbing with no change in use
Meter still spinning with every fixture off
Warm or damp spots on floors, or buckling flooring
Musty smell, soft drywall, or stains on walls and ceilings
Soggy patch or unusually green strip in the yard
Pool losing more than about a quarter inch a day
Sound of running water when nothing is on
Water pressure that has dropped for no clear reason

Frequently asked questions

Is tracer gas safe to put in my water lines?

Yes. The tracer gas we use is 95% nitrogen and 5% hydrogen, the same mix used to test water mains, refrigeration systems, and food-grade lines. At that concentration it is non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-corrosive, and it simply vents to the air. We isolate and drain the line first, then flush it fully before returning it to service.

How accurate is leak detection?

With tracer gas and acoustic equipment together, we typically mark the leak within a foot or two, often much closer, even under slabs and deep in the yard. That accuracy is what saves you money: instead of opening a whole wall or trenching a lawn, we cut one access point at the marked location.

How long does a leak detection visit take?

Most residential jobs take one to three hours depending on how many lines we need to test and how deep or long the run is. Pools and long yard lines can take longer. We will give you an honest estimate before we start.

Do you fix the leak too, or just find it?

Both. Bowen Plumbing is a full-service licensed plumber, so once we mark the leak we can repair it the same visit or schedule the repair, whichever you prefer. You are never left with a diagnosis and a search for a second contractor.

Can you find a leak that only shows up sometimes?

Usually, yes. Because tracer gas relies on pressure rather than the leak actively flowing water at the moment we visit, it can reveal slow or intermittent leaks that acoustic listening alone can miss.