Vancouver leak detection · open 24/7
Water Leak Detection in Vancouverfound first, fixed with the smallest opening
Thermal imaging and specialized tools locate leaks behind walls, under slabs and inside ceilings. You get an upfront price before we open anything.
- 5.0 on Google, 47 reviews
- Open 24/7 for emergencies
- 1-year workmanship warranty
How do plumbers find a hidden water leak in a Vancouver home?
A plumber starts with the water meter and a pressure check to confirm there is a leak, then narrows it down with thermal imaging and specialized listening and moisture tools. Those readings point to the wall, floor or ceiling section where the pipe is failing, so only a small access opening is needed instead of tearing out whole rooms.
A lot of Vancouver houses are older than the pipes people imagine inside them. Character homes in Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant, and the Vancouver Specials built across Sunset, Killarney and Kensington-Cedar Cottage from the 1960s to the 1980s, often still carry original galvanized steel or copper supply lines. Those pipes wear from the inside, and the first sign is rarely a puddle.
Encano Plumbing treats leak detection as two separate jobs. First we find the leak, using thermal imaging and specialized tools to read what is happening behind drywall, under a concrete slab or above a ceiling. Then we open the smallest possible access point and repair it. That keeps patching, flooring work and your bill as small as the problem allows.
We are a family-owned shop dispatched from Richmond. Marpole is just over the Arthur Laing and Oak Street bridges, so most of Vancouver is a short drive away. Call or text (604) 764-2031, any time of day.
Signs of a hidden water leak in your Vancouver home
Water bill higher than usual
A jump with no change in your habits is the most common early sign.
Meter moves with every tap off
If it keeps turning while nothing runs, water is escaping.
Warm or damp spots on the floor
Often a hot water line leaking under the slab.
Stains or bubbling paint on ceilings
Usually below a bathroom, kitchen or the suite upstairs.
Sound of running water
Hissing inside a wall with no fixture on means a pressurized line is leaking.
Musty smell or mould near baseboards
Slow leaks keep framing wet long before water shows.
Soggy lawn that never dries
In dry weather, this can mean the underground service line is leaking.
What our Vancouver leak detection and repair covers
From the first reading to the last patch, this is the work we handle on leak calls across Vancouver.
- Leak location with thermal imaging
- Thermal imaging shows temperature differences behind finished surfaces, which is how hot water leaks and wet insulation show up without opening a wall.
- Slab leak and under-floor leaks
- Leaks under a concrete slab or below a floor are traced to a small area first. Then you choose between a spot repair and rerouting the line.
- Pipe leak repair
- Pinhole leaks in copper, failing fittings, corroded galvanized sections and loose connections are repaired with new pipe and fittings, then pressure-tested before anything is closed up.
- Copper re-piping
- When the pipe itself is worn out, patching one leak just moves the problem down the line. In older Vancouver homes with galvanized or tired copper, re-piping in copper is often the lasting fix.
- Underground water line fixes
- The service line between the street connection and the house can crack, corrode or separate. We locate the leak along the line and repair or replace the damaged section.
How a leak detection visit works
- 01
You call or text
Tell us what you see: a stain, running water, a high bill. If water is pouring in, we help you shut off the main first.
- 02
We confirm and locate
We check the meter and pressure to confirm a leak, then use thermal imaging and specialized tools to pin down where it is.
- 03
Upfront price, smallest opening
You get a flat-rate price before any work starts. We open only the access needed to reach the leak.
- 04
Repair, test and clean up
We fix the pipe, pressure-test the line, and leave the access ready for patching. Our workmanship is covered by a 1-year warranty.
What leak detection and repair costs in Vancouver
Every leak is different, so we do not publish a single price. Travel time from Richmond is quoted before we come out, with a discount on it if you go ahead, and you get an upfront, flat-rate price in writing before any work starts. These are the things that move the number.
| What you pay for | How it is priced | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leak detection and locationHow many areas need checking, hot or cold side. | Quoted upfront after the assessment | How many areas need checking, hot or cold side. |
| Pipe leak repair behind a wall or ceilingAccess, pipe material (copper, galvanized, Poly-B) and fittings involved. | Quoted upfront after the assessment | Access, pipe material (copper, galvanized, Poly-B) and fittings involved. |
| Slab or under-floor leakSpot repair versus rerouting the line. | Quoted upfront after the assessment | Spot repair versus rerouting the line. |
| Underground water line repairLine length, depth and what sits above it. | Quoted upfront after the assessment | Line length, depth and what sits above it. |
| Copper re-pipingHouse size, number of fixtures and wall access. | Quoted upfront after the assessment | House size, number of fixtures and wall access. |
Drywall, flooring or tile restoration after the repair is not included unless agreed in your quote. Your exact price is quoted upfront, in writing, before any work starts.
The assessment is free in Richmond. Outside Richmond, travel time is charged, and we quote it before we come out. If you go ahead with the work, you get a discount on that travel time. You always know the price before we go.
Leak detection across Vancouver neighborhoods
Vancouver's housing stock shapes the leaks we see. In Dunbar, Kerrisdale and Kitsilano, older character homes often have galvanized lines that rust from the inside and fail at threaded joints. Vancouver Specials in Sunset, Killarney and Hastings-Sunrise frequently have copper that has thinned over decades, which shows up as pinholes. Homes built roughly from 1985 to 1997 may have Poly-B piping, which has a history of failing at its fittings.
A lot of Vancouver living is stacked: condos, strata townhouses in Riley Park and Mount Pleasant, and houses with a rented suite below. When water comes through your ceiling, the source is usually in the unit above. Take photos and video of the damage right away (your insurer will likely ask for them), stop the water if you can, and tell your strata manager or property manager. We find the source and document the repair for the paperwork.
Neighborhoods we work in
- Marpole
- Kitsilano
- Mount Pleasant
- Kensington-Cedar Cottage
- Dunbar
- Kerrisdale
- Sunset
- Killarney
- Hastings-Sunrise
- Grandview-Woodland
- Riley Park
Cold snaps and the rainy season: roof leak or plumbing leak?
The wet season runs roughly October to March, so a November ceiling stain is easy to blame on the roof. If it grows only during heavy rain, look at the roof first. If it grows on dry days, or the water meter keeps moving with every tap off, it is likely plumbing.
Cold snaps bring freezing nights, and pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces and unheated garages can split. A frozen pipe often leaks only once it thaws, so if you lose water in a freeze, shut the main off before it warms up.
Encano Plumbing is licensed and insured. Repairs are backed by our 1-year workmanship warranty.
Ask us anything47 reviews on our Google profile, copied word for word.
Philipe BolzanGoogle review · a month ago
Awesome service. Reliable and experienced technician. Solved the problem with my toilet in 15 minutes hassle-free
Sabrynna CaGoogle review · 2 months agoexcellent 🤩 …
Onilton MacielLocal Guide · 3 months agoEddie is amazing. He is professional and quick in resolving the issues. He has very fair prices. Highly recommend!
Pam AndrewsLocal Guide · 3 months agoGreat service. Eddie is knowledgeable and informative. Arrived very quickly and did an excellent job.
Vivian WongGoogle review · 5 months agoWe had a kitchen sink emergency Sunday night and Eddy saved the day. Showed up Monday morning as promised, stayed patient through a tricky clog, and clearly knew exactly what he was doing. Price was more than fair. Highly recommend Eddy if you need a plumber you can trust. Thank you very much Eddy!
BY KGoogle review · 5 months agoReally thankful to Ed for replacing our kitchen sink and garbage disposal. The service was fast,very professional and the quality of work was excellent. Highly recommend!
John MondaniGoogle review · 6 months agoEd is great, timely, professional, friendly everything you want. Would recommend to anyone. Fair pricing and only recommends what is needed.
Luiz PortellaGoogle review · 7 months agoEddie is amazing! Great customer service and attention to details. He helped me with a leaky shower that needed a cartridge replacement and a couple of other minor repairs. 5 stars hands down. I recommend!
Eliane MirandaGoogle review · a year agoExcellent service! Ed quickly found an efficient solution to our problem without overcomplicating things. We truly appreciate his support, thank you!
Ingrid MonteiroLocal Guide · a year agoAmazing company ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The MadaFakLocal Guide · a year agoAmazing company!
alex de salesGoogle review · a year agoEd is professional, honest, and my go to plumber now.
marmotageGoogle review · a year agoEd was fantastic! He showed up on time, quickly identified the problem, and fixed it with no hassle. Very professional, friendly, and reasonably priced.
rafael francoGoogle review · a year agoI had a really good experience with this plumbing service. The team showed up on time, were friendly and professional, and paid attention to the details. They found and fixed the problem quickly, cleaned up everything after, and explained what they did in a simple way. The result was great and made me feel relaxed. I totally recommend them and would call them again if I need help!
Leonardo SbardelottoLocal Guide · a year agoCalled Ed late at night, he didn’t hesitate. Fixed the busted pipe fast and stopped a disaster. Can’t thank him enough!
Stanley LauGoogle review · a year agoEd is the best plumber ever ! Best service and company ever !
CD SincGoogle review · a year agoExcellent service. Ed found a way around a complicated problem, fixed it and explained what he was doing to me. He was friendly, courteous and professional. Thank you so much!!
rachel lemosGoogle review · a year agoEd is very experienced and very responsive, I highly recommend this company
Hirtonio AndradeLocal Guide · a year agoAmazing service! Encano Plumbing & Drainage Ltd was super fast, professional, and paid great attention to detail. From the first call to the end of the job, they were friendly, clear, and easy to deal with. They showed up on time, gave a fair quote, and the work was done really well. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a plumber they can trust. One of the best service experiences I’ve had here in Canada!
Antonio mussiGoogle review · a year agoEd provides exceptional plumbing services! He combines expertise with a consistently friendly and transparent approach. Every time I’ve needed assistance, Ed has delivered prompt, reliable solutions, often going above and beyond by offering clear, practical advice to help prevent future issues. His dedication to customer satisfaction and proactive communication truly sets him apart. Highly recommended without hesitation!
Ivan LeungGoogle review · 2 months agoGreat work. Used for commercial and personal property. Met quotes and was available to bring in other trades when necessary to complete jobs efficiently.
gustavo de almeida françaGoogle review · 2 months agoEddie is super friendly, helpful, and transparent! Always making sure his clients understand what needs to be done and how much it will cost ahead of time.
Cris ReisLocal Guide · 3 months agoMr. Eddie, as always when we need him, performs the work quickly, accurately, and with great competence. The best one!
Flavio TruzziLocal Guide · 4 months agoI can't recommend Encano Plumbing & Drain enough! They came to replace my dishwasher and immediately ran into a problem left behind by the previous installers, a metal piece that had been incorrectly fitted and was completely blocking access to remove the old unit. Rather than giving up or charging me extra to come back another day, Ed handled it on the spot, cutting through the obstruction efficiently and professionally. What really stood out was how thorough and tidy he was throughout the whole job. He kept the work area clean, and didn't leave me with a mess to deal with, which honestly isn't always a given. On top of that, he went out of his way to help me get rid of the old dishwasher, which saved me a huge headache. This is exactly the kind of tradesperson you want: calm under pressure, resourceful when things don't go to plan, and genuinely helpful beyond just the bare minimum.
Makoto TaniguchiGoogle review · 5 months agoEddie was friendly, gave me a good quote, came in early and explained the tasks prior to starting and did an excellent job. Highly recommended.
Larissa RodriguesGoogle review · 6 months agoEddie is very responsible! Best plumber in Vancouver area. I called him due to an emergency and he stopped by at the same day. I highly recommend him. 10/10
Talitha NobregaGoogle review · 6 months agoSecond time using Encano Company, and Ed was amazing once again! He’s reliable, professional, and gets the job done quickly. Really appreciate the great service highly recommend!
Celine YinGoogle review · 9 months agoVery responsive, on-time and excellent service. Ed is very professional and knowledgeable. He helped us with installation of new hot water tank, garburator, dishwasher, washers/dryers, toilets and removal of the old ones. He also handled any other plumbing concerns we’ve got. He can do them all. Would highly recommend!
Nelson JrGoogle review · a year agoThe best , better than I expected.
Karri LamGoogle review · a year agoThis is a good company 👍👍nice staff, good service, recommend! …
Robson MacielGoogle review · a year agoExcellent professionals, they resolved everything perfectly, clean, fast and hassle-free work!
Celine YinLocal Guide · a year agoExcellent workmanship, quick response time and reasonable pricing! Would highly recommend.
Ana CeciliaGoogle review · a year agoSuper reliable and professional, I wouldn’t hesitate to call Ed again.
Leonardo SbardelottoLocal Guide · a year agoAlways reliable.
Ming LauGoogle review · a year agoAmazing company to work with and Eddie is Great . If you want great a Plumbing company , choose them !!!
DezzaGoogle review · a year agoDedicated service. 10/10 recommend.
Lucas J. SantosGoogle review · a year agoEddie is an excellent professional, always committed to delivering the best service. Thank you for meeting him!
Frederico LemosGoogle review · a year agoEd is a professional who updates himself in his work area and skillfly manages the service and its challenges.
Jay TeeLocal Guide · a year agoGreat service! Eddie provided great customer service.
Trendfashions VTGoogle review · 5 years agoEddie had to re-pipe my entire house due to faulty piping. It was a major job. He advised me to install many safety features too, as well as a new shower tower. I would highly recommend him, not only is he knowledgable but pleasant and professional. You are in good hands with canada place plumbing.
Leak Detection & Repair questions
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Open now · 24 hours, 7 days
Pipe burst at 2 a.m.? Call or text. We pick up.
Shut the main water valve if you can, then call or text. The Encano team answers 24/7 and tells you what happens next, including the price, before anyone touches a tool.
Get your leak detection & repair price
Tell us what is going on. We reply with next steps and a time, and the price is agreed before any work starts.