December 17, 2025
Cedar Park, TX Leak Detection and Repair — Plumbing Costs
Estimated Read Time: 9 minutes
Slab leak detection and repair costs can feel like a mystery when water is hiding under concrete. If you suspect a hot spot on your floor, rising water bills, or the sound of running water with no fixtures on, you need clear facts and fast action. This guide breaks down pricing, timelines, and options in the Austin area, plus how to prevent future slab leaks and save on today’s repair.
What Is a Slab Leak and Why It Happens in Central Texas
A slab leak is a pressurized water line leaking beneath your concrete foundation. Left unchecked, it can undermine the slab, warp flooring, feed mold growth, and waste thousands of gallons. In Central Texas, two common contributors are hard water scale that stresses copper and PEX fittings, and expansive clay soils that shift with wet-dry cycles.
You may notice warm spots on the floor from a hot line leak, baseboard swelling, cracks in tiles, or a water meter that ticks when every faucet is off. Quick diagnosis limits damage and often lowers the cost of repair.
Slab Leak Detection Costs in Austin
Most homeowners want to know the detection price before authorizing work. While every home is different, here is what typically influences cost:
- Access and layout
- Single story vs two story
- Slab thickness and flooring type
- Tools and methods used
- Acoustic listening, thermal imaging, pressure testing
- Video camera inspections for adjacent drains and lines
- Number of suspected leaks
- Time on site and documentation needs
Typical ranges you may see in the Austin market:
- Basic detection with pressure testing and acoustic locating: $175 to $450
- Complex detection with multiple tests, thermal imaging, and camera inspection: $450 to $750+
Advanced technology helps avoid exploratory demolition. Our team uses pressure isolation, thermal imaging, and, when lines are accessible, video camera inspections to pinpoint the source with minimal disruption.
Slab Leak Repair Options and Cost Ranges
Once the leak is located, the right fix depends on pipe condition, location, and future risk.
- Spot repair through the slab
- Scope: Open a small section of concrete, repair or replace a short run, patch slab and flooring.
- Best for: Newer piping with a single, well-defined failure.
- Typical range: $900 to $3,500 depending on depth, flooring, and finish work needed.
- Overhead or wall reroute
- Scope: Bypass the leaking line by running new pipe through walls or attic, then isolate the old line.
- Best for: Multiple failures on the same run or corrosion risk in the slab.
- Typical range: $1,500 to $6,000 based on length, access, and number of fixtures.
- Trenchless solutions for buried or exterior lines
- Scope: Epoxy lining, pipe bursting, or directional boring to replace damaged sections without large trenches.
- Best for: Exterior service lines and sewer lines where yard or hardscape damage is a concern.
- Typical range: $2,000 to $8,000+ depending on method and footage.
- Whole-home repipe when systemic failures are present
- Scope: Replace aged or failing lines throughout to prevent repeated slab leaks.
- Typical range: $6,500 to $18,000+ based on home size and material.
Note on finishes: Concrete patching is standard in spot repairs. Flooring replacement varies widely by material and square footage and may be billed separately.
How We Diagnose Slab Leaks Without Tear-outs First
Accurate locating keeps costs down. Here is a typical, efficient process:
- Initial assessment
- Interview, meter test, thermal scan for hot-line leaks, and fixture isolation.
- Pressure testing
- Isolate cold vs hot lines, then isolate fixture groups to narrow the run.
- Acoustic and thermal pinpointing
- Listening equipment narrows the exact area, and thermal confirms hot-line migration.
- Camera inspections where applicable
- We use video cameras on accessible lines and related drains to rule out secondary issues and confirm pipe condition.
- Solution brief and upfront pricing
- You get clear options: spot repair, reroute, or trenchless methods when appropriate.
Hard fact: SALT Plumbing Air & Electric has provided camera inspections and trenchless pipe replacement options across the Austin area since 1984, reducing exploratory demolition for homeowners.
Timeframes: From First Call to Dry Floors
- Emergency stabilization: Same day for active leaks, including water shutoff help.
- Standard detection: 1 to 3 hours, same-day appointments available.
- Repairs: Same day for spot repairs when access is simple. Complex reroutes often complete within 1 to 2 days. Trenchless exterior work ranges from half a day to 2 days depending on footage and permits.
We offer 24-7 emergency plumbing services for active leaks. Fast response prevents subfloor swelling and mold growth.
What Drives Your Final Price
Think of cost as the sum of diagnosis, repair method, and restoration.
- Pipe material and age
- Depth of slab and type of flooring
- Single leak vs multiple failures
- Need for reroute or repipe to stop repeat leaks
- Aftercare: flooring, baseboards, paint
- Permit requirements in your city
Transparent pricing matters. We provide written options and stand behind every job with a full guarantee on parts and labor.
Insurance, Warranties, and Guarantees
- Homeowners insurance often covers access and restoration when a sudden leak damages the home. Coverage for the plumbing repair itself varies by policy. We can supply photos and reports for your adjuster.
- Our repairs and installations are backed by a lifetime guarantee. Ask how material warranties pair with our workmanship guarantee for long-term peace of mind.
Hard fact: SALT was voted Best in Austin multiple years, and our repairs are supported by a written lifetime guarantee.
How to Prevent Slab Leaks After Today’s Fix
Prevention saves money and stress.
- Control water pressure
- High static pressure stresses fittings. A pressure reducing valve and annual checks keep it in range.
- Address hard water scale
- Consider filtration or conditioning to reduce mineral buildup that weakens lines over time.
- Schedule annual inspections
- SALT+ members receive routine inspections with priority scheduling and exclusive discounts.
- Handle seasonal shifts
- Learn where your main shutoff and city box are. Quick shutoff limits damage during a sudden break.
Local Notes for Austin, Round Rock, and Nearby Cities
- Expansive clay soils in Central Texas move with rain cycles, stressing buried lines.
- Neighborhoods with older copper lines may see more hot-line pinhole leaks.
- Many homes in Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander, and Georgetown mix slab-on-grade foundations with hard-surface flooring. Quick leak response protects wood and tile finishes.
We serve Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, Kyle, Hutto, Del Valle, Belton, and surrounding communities.
Cost Scenarios You Can Compare
- Single hot-line slab leak under hallway tile
- Detection: $250
- Spot repair through slab: $1,600
- Concrete patch included; tile replacement quoted separately.
- Repeated leaks on the same bathroom group
- Detection with isolation and thermal: $450
- Overhead reroute to fixtures: $3,200
- Exterior service line leak under driveway
- Detection: $325
- Trenchless replacement: $4,500
These examples are educational, not fixed bids. Your technician will price your exact layout and restoration needs before work begins.
When a Reroute Beats a Spot Repair
Choose a reroute when:
- Two or more failures have occurred on the same run
- Pipe shows corrosion or abrasion risks
- Access requires opening high-value finishes
Benefits:
- Less disruption to floors
- Reduced chance of repeat leaks
- Often faster overall timeline
Why Homeowners Choose SALT for Slab Leaks
- Same-day service and 24-7 emergency response
- Advanced diagnostics including thermal and camera inspections
- Noninvasive options such as trenchless pipe replacement
- Upfront pricing with options and written lifetime guarantee
- Local, family-owned service since 1984 with technicians who respect your home
What To Do Right Now if You Suspect a Slab Leak
- Turn off all fixtures and listen for water movement.
- Check your water meter for movement with fixtures off.
- If you find a hot floor spot, mark it with painter’s tape.
- Shut off water at the main if you see active pooling or hear strong flow.
- Call a licensed plumber. Early detection shortens the repair and lowers cost.
We are ready to help today with priority scheduling and emergency support across Greater Austin.
Special Offer: Save $62 on Leak Detection and Repair
Save $62 on your plumbing work including leaks, running toilets, dripping faucets, and more. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Expires December 3, 2025.
Call (512) 559-4206 or schedule at https://callsalt.com/ and mention the $62 OFF plumbing offer to apply your savings today.
What Homeowners Are Saying
"Carlyle found the source of a leak in our water filter; we were convinced it was the service line to the house. He saved us over $1000, time and digging up the yard for no reason. Great work of doing his diligence on providing the right service."
–David S., Leak Detection
"Dylan at Salt Plumbing Service was fantastic with diagnosis and repair today! Very professional, skilled and courteous! The job was not an easy one digging outside in the TX heat but Dylan dug right in and got the job done right! Also gave me some lessons on how to be prepared to access main event water if needed for freeze etc."
–Christian T., Plumbing Repair
"Aaron was super nice and informative, he quickly figured out our concern and fixed it same day!"
–Jessica G., Plumbing Repair
"I was happy with the service and attention to detail that Carlyle Champion provided. His inspection was thorough, and his experience in multiple plumbing jobs was useful. While replacing the pressure reducing valve, he replaced the rusting GI pipes and joint to the irrigation system which he noticed was using a compression fit."
–Shriram N., Inspection and Repair
"Was very knowledgeable and fixed the issue within 10 minutes."
–Lisa W., Plumbing Repair
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does slab leak detection cost in Austin?
Basic detection ranges from about $175 to $450, while complex cases with thermal imaging and camera work can run $450 to $750+. Your layout and access drive the final price.
What is the average cost to repair a slab leak?
Spot repairs may run $900 to $3,500. Reroutes range from $1,500 to $6,000, and trenchless exterior work can be $2,000 to $8,000+. A written estimate will reflect your site conditions.
Can you fix a slab leak without breaking concrete?
Yes, when rerouting is feasible or when trenchless methods apply to exterior lines. For a single, precise failure under the slab, a small access opening may still be the best value.
Will homeowners insurance cover a slab leak?
Policies often cover access and restoration from sudden water damage. Coverage of the pipe repair varies by policy. We provide documentation to support your claim.
How long does a slab leak repair take?
Many spot repairs are completed same day. Reroutes commonly take 1 to 2 days. Trenchless exterior replacements range from half a day to 2 days based on footage.
Key Takeaways
Slab leak detection and repair costs depend on access, method, and restoration. Early diagnosis with advanced tools limits damage and often lowers price. In Greater Austin, you can expect detection from about $175 to $750+ and repairs from $900 to several thousand depending on the solution.
Ready for Fast Help?
Call SALT Plumbing Air & Electric at (512) 559-4206 or book at https://callsalt.com/. Mention the $62 OFF plumbing offer before December 3, 2025. For trusted slab leak detection and repair costs in Austin, we are ready today with same-day service and a lifetime guarantee.
Request same-day slab leak help now: call (512) 559-4206 or schedule at https://callsalt.com/. Save $62 on your plumbing work. SALT+ members get priority scheduling and annual inspections.
About SALT Plumbing Air & Electric
Family owned and serving Austin since 1984, SALT Plumbing Air & Electric delivers fast, honest service across plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. Our licensed techs use advanced tools like camera inspections and trenchless solutions. We provide same-day service, 24-7 emergency support, upfront pricing, and a lifetime guarantee on repairs and installations. Voted Best in Austin multiple years, we back every job with personal accountability and local know-how. One call covers your whole home.