In South St. Petersburg, a homeowner recently learned a painful lesson in leak detection vs plumber decision-making: calling a plumber to find a hidden leak can cost you more in damage than the leak itself.
This post documents how I Find Leaks located a leak in this home with zero destruction, using our advanced leak detection equipment — after a plumber cut multiple holes in the walls and still failed to find the source.
If you’re searching for St Petersburg water leak detection, here’s why calling us first will save you money, protect your home, and get the job done right the first time.
🔧 What Happened in South St. Pete
Jeremy from I Find Leaks arrived at a home in Greater Pinellas Point, near Lakewood Estates, after the homeowner discovered water on the floor and did what many people do — they called a plumber first.
That plumber came in with good intentions… but bad tools. He cut open multiple walls in the house looking for the leak. He still didn’t find it. Worse, he left a mess of drywall and insulation behind.
A large hole in the wall with drywall and insulation thrown on the floor — this is what Jeremy saw when he walked in. The plumber guessed wrong and left damage in his wake.
Another shot of the same area, this time showing that the wall cut was on the backside of a bathroom — likely the laundry room. Still no clue where the leak actually was.
🧰 Why You Should NEVER Call a Plumber to Find a Leak
Most plumbers are excellent at repairing leaks — not locating them.
Here’s the truth:
- Many plumbers do not have the technology or training for precise leak detection.
- Instead, they cut holes and “chase” the leak — often guessing as they go.
- If they can’t find it, they call a company like I Find Leaks — and then mark up the price to you.
At I Find Leaks, leak detection is all we do. We specialize in pinpointing leaks without cutting into walls, ceilings, or floors. We use high-end acoustic and thermal equipment, moisture meters, and miniature cameras to find exactly where the water is escaping — and we do it with surgical precision. This wasn’t just a leak—it was a perfect example of the risks behind the leak detection vs plumber debate. One causes damage while guessing. The other finds the source with precision.
🎯 What We Did Differently
Jeremy didn’t cut anything. He walked in, assessed the scene, and let the tools do the work.
Behind the toilet, another mess — the plumber had cut into the bathroom wall and left insulation on the ground. Still, no leak was found.
Jeremy noticed water puddling in a low step-down in the concrete under the vanity. Water always finds the lowest point. This was a subtle but important clue.
Using ultrasonic listening equipment, Jeremy narrowed the location down to behind the vanity. He inserted a small camera under the cabinet — no cuts needed.
Bingo. A leaking SharkBite fitting inside the wall. The leak was found, confirmed, and marked — with zero damage caused by I Find Leaks.
💡 Key Takeaway: Call the Right Pro First
Had we been called first, this customer could’ve avoided:
- Multiple holes in the wall
- A mess of drywall and insulation
- Stress and delay
- Paying twice — once for the plumber to guess, and again for us to find it
Leak detection and plumbing are not the same thing. One is diagnostic. The other is repair. When you start with the wrong one, you end up wasting time and money.
Call us first. We’ll tell you exactly where the leak is — so your plumber only needs to open one spot, not ten.
🛠 We Partner With the Right Plumbers
I Find Leaks works closely with some of the most honest and skilled plumbers in St. Petersburg — the ones who know when to call us before cutting. If you don’t have a plumber you trust, we’ll refer you to one who shares our standard of integrity and precision.
That’s why we have over 475 five-star reviews on Google — and growing every week.
📍 Serving All of St. Petersburg
From Coquina Key to Maximo, Lake Maggiore Shores to Bayou Highlands, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners across St. Pete avoid costly mistakes.
We’re fast, clean, and accurate — and we don’t guess.
📞 Call I Find Leaks Now – 727.466.1900
Visit us at https://ifindleaks.com to schedule a leak detection appointment today.
🧠 Know Before You Cut
Water leaks can destroy walls, flooring, and peace of mind. But most of that destruction is completely avoidable — if you call the right professional.
Don’t risk holes, hassle, and high costs. If you need St Petersburg water leak detection, make your first call your smartest one.
👉 Call I Find Leaks. No damage. Just answers.
