Leak Detection and Pipe Repair in Toronto
Updated August 18, 2026
City Rooter locates hidden leaks and repairs the pipe without opening every wall on a guess. High water bills, ceiling stains, and the sound of water when every tap is off are common signs. Call (647) 534-6875.
- Water bill jumped without a change in use
- Staining on a ceiling or wall
- Water sound when every tap is off
Licensed & WSIB · Written estimates · 24/7 Mon–Sat · Sun 9 AM–5 PM
Leak detection and pipe repair
Not every leak announces itself with a spray. A hidden leak shows up as a high water bill, a warm spot on the floor, staining on a ceiling, or the sound of water when every tap is off.
We locate the leak, explain the repair, and fix the pipe — without opening every wall on a guess. If the leak is on the private-side water main, we treat it as a water line repair, not a fixture call.
Water that you cannot see still damages framing, insulation, and finishes. The longer it runs, the larger the opening we need later. Finding it early is the cheap version of this job.
Common leak sources in GTA homes
Supply lines at toilets and sinks, failed shutoffs, slab or basement leaks, and pinholes in older copper all show up in our work. A written estimate covers the locate and the repair once we know the path.
A running toilet is the most common “leak” that is not a pipe. We check that first. If the flapper is fine and the meter still turns, we move to the supplies and the main.
- Pinhole leaks in older copper
- Failed toilet or sink shutoffs
- A wet spot on a ceiling under a bathroom
- A private-side water main under the lawn
- The meter spinning with every tap off
How we find the leak
We start with what you can tell us: when the bill jumped, where you hear water, which ceiling stained first. We check the meter, the visible valves, and the likely runs. We do not demo a wall to start the conversation.
If the leak is on the buried service, the lawn or the meter pit often tells the story. That becomes a water line replacement or a targeted repair, not a fixture visit. See water line replacement if the main is the source.
What the repair looks like
A pinhole in an accessible copper run is a section replacement. A failed shutoff is a valve swap — ½-inch from $325, ¾-inch from $375. A leak inside a wall needs a small opening at the right place, then a patch plan you agree to.
Emergency dispatch starts around $200 plus parts if water is active. We isolate first, then price the repair. You should not watch a ceiling drip while we argue about a trip fee.
When to call
Call (647) 534-6875 if the meter moves with the house quiet, if a stain is growing, or if you can hear water and cannot find it. Shut the main if the leak is obvious and getting worse. If you cannot find the valve, we will.
A small stain today is a drywall job. The same leak in three months is a mould and insurance conversation. Locate it while it is still small.
Leak versus a burst versus a water main
A burst is obvious: water is spraying or a ceiling is coming down. That is emergency plumbing and burst pipe repair. A hidden leak is quiet. The bill, the meter, or a stain is the clue. A private-side main leak often shows on the lawn or at the meter, not in a wall.
We will not open three rooms to find a toilet supply that needed a $20 hose. We also will not treat a buried main as a fixture call. The locate decides the repair. You get a written price once we know the path.
If you already shut the main and the house is dry, we can come on a regular visit. If water is still moving and you cannot find the valve, call (647) 534-6875 and treat it as an emergency. We answer live Monday to Saturday around the clock, and Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM.
What to check before we arrive
Look at the meter with every tap off. If it moves, water is leaving the system. Check toilets for a silent run. Check the basement ceiling under bathrooms. Note when the stain grew. Those details shorten the locate and keep us from opening the wrong wall. If you can hear water in a quiet house, write down which room it is loudest in before we arrive. A photo of the meter and the stain helps us decide whether this is a fixture, a wall supply, or the buried main. Send those when you book if you can. It saves a second trip.
Need leak detection in Toronto?
Licensed, insured, WSIB-covered technicians. We answer live and typically reply to quotes in 5–10 minutes.
Our process
Step 1
Locate
Trace the leak from the symptom back to the pipe.
Step 2
Explain
Written repair scope before we open finishes.
Step 3
Repair
Fix the pipe and confirm the system holds pressure.
Reviews
Only 5-star reviews from GTA homeowners
★★★★★
Alex and his team replaced our main drain and broken pipes. He provided great service and workmanship, at reasonable prices. Highly recommend.
★★★★★
City Rooter installed a new waterline from the edge of the property into my basement. Alex worked with me to get the best solution possible, gave a very good price, and left everything neat and tidy.
★★★★★
They saved us from a major plumbing disaster. Tree roots clogged the drain. The team snaked the line, excavated, replaced the damaged pipe, and installed a cleanout. Professional, efficient, and fair.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know I have a hidden leak?
The meter moves when every tap is off, the bill jumps, you hear water in a quiet house, or you see staining, a warm floor, or a wet spot that has no rain above it. City Rooter locates the leak before we open walls so you pay for the right repair.
Will you have to open every wall?
No. We start with the meter, the visible fittings, and the likely path. We open only what the locate requires. A private-side main leak is a water line job, not a hunt through every room.
Is a high water bill always a leak?
Not always. A running toilet can waste as much as a small pipe leak. We check fixtures first. If the toilet is sound and the meter still moves, we look at the supply and the buried line.
Related services
Need a plumber now?
Licensed, insured, WSIB-covered technicians. We answer live and typically reply to quotes in 5–10 minutes.