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Should You Get Leak Detection Before Buying a Home in Murrieta?

By the Murrieta Leak Pros team ·

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A home inspection looks at what can be seen. Many costly leaks in Murrieta homes cannot be seen, because they hide under concrete slabs, in buried water lines and inside sewer pipes. A leak check before you buy can find them while you still have time to ask questions. Our slab leak detection and sewer camera services help buyers across Murrieta. Call (951) 299-3473.

Does a home inspection find hidden leaks?

A general home inspection checks visible plumbing, fixtures, water pressure and signs of past water damage. It usually does not include pressure testing lines under the slab, tracing the buried main line or running a camera through the sewer. Those checks need special equipment and are often a separate service.

Ask your inspector what is and is not included. If the report notes stains, damp flooring, low pressure or a water meter that moves with everything off, that is a sign to look deeper.

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Sewer inspection camera reel with a monitor, operated by a technician
Sewer inspection camera reel with a monitor, operated by a technician

What does a pre-purchase leak check include?

A pre-purchase leak check usually includes a water meter test, pressure testing of hot and cold lines, acoustic listening over the slab where needed, a thermal scan of floors and walls, and a sewer camera inspection of the main drain. Together, these show whether the plumbing you cannot see is holding up.

What each check can reveal
CheckWhat it can reveal
Meter testWhether water is leaking anywhere on the property
Pressure testWhich line, hot or cold, is losing water
Acoustic and thermal scanSlab leaks and wet areas behind walls
Sewer cameraRoots, cracks, sags and breaks in the sewer line
Line traceThe path and condition of the buried main line

Which Murrieta homes need a leak check most?

Homes with copper lines under the slab, homes with past leak repairs or reroutes, older homes, homes with mature trees near the sewer line, and homes with pools or large irrigation systems benefit most. Vacant homes also deserve a check, since a leak may have gone unnoticed for months.

Older homes near Historic Murrieta and established tracts in Bear Creek and Rancho Bella Vista are good candidates. Look for patched tile or concrete in a straight line, which can point to an earlier slab repair. Read the signs of a slab leak before your showing.

Have a leak? Don’t wait for it to get worse.

Our technicians are standing by 24/7 with the equipment to find your leak fast. No unnecessary digging, no guesswork.

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What should I do if a leak is found?

Get the findings in writing with photos, then share them with your agent. You may be able to ask the seller to repair it, give a credit, or adjust the price. A repair estimate helps that talk. Every deal is different, so let your agent guide the next step.

  1. Ask for a written report with photos or video.
  2. Get an approximate repair price for each problem found.
  3. Share both with your real estate agent.
  4. Decide on a repair, credit or price change before your contingency ends.
  5. If repairs are done before closing, ask for receipts and a re-test.

Compare fixes in our leak repair options guide.

How much does a pre-purchase leak check cost in Murrieta?

Costs depend on which checks you need. Slab leak detection for a typical home costs about $250 to $650, hidden water leak detection about $200 to $550, and a sewer camera inspection about $150 to $450. Your price is confirmed before any work begins.

Approx. costs (estimates for planning only)
ServiceApprox. cost
Slab leak detection (typical home)$250 to $650
Hidden water leak detection visit$200 to $550
Sewer camera inspection$150 to $450

For more on sewer checks, see our sewer camera inspection guide.

How soon should I schedule it?

Schedule leak checks as early as you can in your inspection period, ideally right after the general inspection. That leaves time to get repair prices and talk with the seller before your deadline. Ask the seller to keep the water turned on and to give access to cleanouts and the water meter.

Frequently asked questions

Can a seller hide a slab leak?

A leak can be hard to see even when no one is hiding it. Testing finds leaks that do not show on the surface, whatever their history.

Do I need a sewer camera inspection if the home is newer?

It is still useful. Newer lines can have construction debris, poor slope or damage from settling. It is a small cost compared to a sewer repair.

Will the seller let me do a leak check?

Most sellers allow testing during the inspection period. Ask your agent to arrange access and make sure the water is on.

Does the check damage the home?

No. The tests are non-invasive. Nothing is opened during a pre-purchase check.

Prices are approximate estimates for planning. Your final price depends on your property and is confirmed before work begins.

Where can I get help with this in Murrieta?

Murrieta Leak Pros offers Slab Leak Detection, Sewer & Drain Leak Detection, Water Leak Detection. We serve every Murrieta neighborhood:

We also serve Temecula, Menifee, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Winchester, French Valley, Canyon Lake, Hemet and Sun City. See all service areas →

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