Waywest Mechanical provides water leak detection for homes and businesses in Nanaimo and across Vancouver Island. Licensed plumbers track down hidden leaks in walls, ceilings, floors, concrete slabs and buried water lines using meter testing, pressure testing, moisture readings and acoustic methods, then repair the leak with as little demolition as possible. Rising water bills and damp spots are the most common warning signs.
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM · quotes within the hour
Signs of a hidden leak
- The water meter moves when all water use is off
- A water bill higher than normal without explanation
- Stains, bubbling paint or soft spots on ceilings and walls
- Warped, lifting or discoloured flooring
- A musty smell or mould in a closet, cabinet or basement
- Warm spots on a floor over a slab (a hot water line leak)
- The sound of running or hissing water in a quiet house
- Low water pressure throughout the house
- A wet area in the yard along the water service route
Where leaks hide
Inside walls and ceilings. Supply lines and fittings behind drywall, especially Poly-B fittings in older Nanaimo homes. Water often travels along framing and appears some distance from the actual leak.
Under floors and slabs. Supply lines running in or under a concrete slab, or in the crawlspace under a bathroom.
Behind fixtures. Shower valves, toilet supply connections and the backs of dishwashers and fridges with water lines.
Buried water service lines. Between the meter and the house — see water main replacement.
Drain lines. Not every leak is pressurized. A cracked drain or failing shower pan only leaks when the fixture is used.
How we find leaks
Finding a leak is a process of elimination, working from broad to narrow:
- Meter test. Confirms whether water is leaving the system at all, and roughly how fast.
- Isolation. Closing valves to split the system — inside versus outside, hot versus cold, one branch versus another.
- Pressure testing. Testing sections of piping to confirm which one is losing pressure.
- Moisture readings. Moisture meters map the damp area on walls, ceilings and floors to find where it is wettest.
- Acoustic listening. Listening equipment picks up the sound of water escaping from a pressurized pipe.
- Fixture testing. Running individual showers and drains to catch leaks that only happen in use.
After the leak is found
We explain what failed and why, then repair it. Typical repairs include replacing a failed fitting or section of pipe, rebuilding a shower valve, or replacing a supply line.
If the leak is a symptom of piping that is failing generally — a third Poly-B fitting in two years, or galvanized pipe corroding through — we will tell you that a Poly-B replacement or repipe may be better value than continued repairs.
Act early
A small leak inside a wall rarely stays small. Water soaks insulation, rots framing and feeds mould long before it shows on the surface. If you notice the signs above, have it checked during regular hours before it becomes an emergency call. If water is visibly running, shut off the main valve and call the emergency line.
Service area
Leak detection is available in Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, Duncan and across Waywest's Vancouver Island service area.
What happens when you call
- A person answers
You talk to the Nanaimo office, or our own crew on the 24/7 line — not a call centre.
- You hear the rate first
We explain the service rate, or the emergency rate after hours, before anyone is booked or dispatched.
- A licensed technician arrives
A Waywest technician with a stocked vehicle diagnoses the problem and explains your options.
- You approve the work
Repairs go ahead once you agree. Larger jobs get a written quote you can take time to consider.
Quick facts
- Emergency service
- 24/7 at 250-616-1446 — typically on site within an hour in Nanaimo
- Office hours
- Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM, 250-729-2394
- Service area
- Nanaimo and Vancouver Island, Victoria to Port Hardy
- Licensing
- TSBC licence LGA0004592; licensed, bonded and insured
- Quotes
- Reply within the hour during business hours
- Page updated
Common questions
How can I tell if I have a hidden water leak?
Turn off every tap and water-using appliance, then check the water meter. If the dial or leak indicator keeps moving, water is escaping somewhere. Other signs are a water bill that rises for no reason, damp or stained drywall, warped flooring, musty smells, and the sound of running water when nothing is on.
Will you have to cut open my walls to find a leak?
Detection narrows the leak's location before anything is opened, so the opening is usually small and in the right place. Some access is almost always needed to repair a leak inside a wall or ceiling, but it should not involve exploratory holes.
Is a leak under a concrete slab repairable?
Yes. Depending on the location and the condition of the rest of the piping, the leaking section can be repaired by opening the slab at that point, or the line can be abandoned and rerouted through walls or ceilings, which avoids breaking concrete.
Does home insurance cover leak detection?
Some policies cover the cost of locating the source of sudden water damage, and many do not cover repairing a pipe that has worn out gradually. Check your policy. Waywest provides a written description of the cause and repair for your claim.
Need this sorted out?
Call the Nanaimo office and talk to someone who can tell you what the work involves and when we can get to it.