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Leak Detection in Columbus, OH

Find the leak fast—stop the damage before it spreads.

Five Star Home Services provides fast, accurate leak detection so you can get ahead of it.

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Benefits of Leak Detection in Columbus, OH

Here are the top benefits of leak detection in our area.

Lower water bills

Remember, even a slow, hidden leak eventually saps your wallet. Finding and fixing a leak ASAP stops growing water bills.

Avoid structural damage

Leaks damage every aspect of your house, so catching a leak early helps prevent long-term, expensive damage.

Prevent mold

Mold starts growing within a day or two, and it has plenty of places to hide in Columbus’s older basements and homes. When you detect it early, it cuts off that mold growth.

Protect your home’s value

A home inspection will easily reveal leaks. Stay ahead of it; it can project your home’s value if you’re planning on selling soon.

Peace of mind

Columbus homes have a lot going on underground that you can’t see, so leak detection tells you what’s happening with your pipes. You’re not left waiting for something to go wrong.

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Our Promise To You

Why choose Five Star Home Services?

Five Star Home Services offers fast, reliable comfort backed by our plumbing and electrical expertise. With trusted service across every trade, we make your home repairs simple and stress-free.

Fast Service

Same day or it's free*

Done right or we'll make it right.

Trusted by neighbors. Guaranteed by us.

10% of profit goes to charity.

Multiple options always given.

FIVE STAR PROMIse

Trusted by neighbors, guaranteed by us.

Always Accountable

Done right or we'll make it right.

Fast Service

Same day or it's free.*

Service With Purpose

10% of profit goes to charity.

Transparent Pricing

Multiple options always given.

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Home comfort, as simple as 1, 2, 3!

With Five Star Home Services, getting help for your home couldn’t be easier. From heating and cooling to plumbing and electrical, our friendly full-service team takes the stress out of repairs. One call, one team, and you can relax knowing we’ve got everything covered.

One

Schedule in Minutes

Call or book online for fast scheduling.

Two

Same-Day Arrival

Our expert technician arrives fast to diagnose the issue or provide an estimate.

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Back to Comfort

Enjoy peace of mind with repairs done right the first time.

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Serving Homes, Supporting Communities

When you book a service with us, you’re giving back too. A portion of the proceeds from every job goes directly toward supporting local community programs and families in need.

Leak Detection Services in Columbus, OH—Fast, Local Help You Can Count On

Proud to protect Columbus homes from hidden water damage.

Columbus isn’t just where we work—it’s home. From the vibrant Short North and German Village to family neighborhoods in Dublin, Hilliard, Grove City, Westerville, Worthington, New Albany, Reynoldsburg, and Gahanna, this city inspires everything we do. When you’re dealing with a mystery stain, a musty smell, or a suspected hidden leak, you can count on a local team that truly understands Columbus homes and plumbing systems.

Proud Fans, Proud Neighbors

As proud fans of the Columbus Blue Jackets, we bring that same energy, teamwork, and determination to every leak detection and repair job. Whether we’re cheering at Nationwide Arena or tracking down a hidden leak in your home, we believe in showing up for our community—on and off the ice.

Giving Back to the City We Love

Through our Profit on Purpose mission, we invest 10% of our profits back into Columbus-area charities and nonprofits—because for us, service means more than fixing pipes. It’s about helping our neighbors thrive, one dry, safe home at a time.

Signs You Have a Hidden Leak in Your Columbus Home

Columbus has conditions that make leak detection tricky, like clay-heavy soil, aging pipes and systems, hard water, and older neighborhoods. Here are the classic signs our plumbers see of water leaks in your home.

  • Unexpected water bill spikes

    Notice your water bill jumped up from last month’s? A leak somewhere could be causing extra water usage.

  • Sound of running water

    Are you hearing water even after the shower or faucet is off? It’s likely a leak.

  • Warm or wet spots on the floor

    A warm patch on your tile or hardwood floor, especially one that doesn’t move, is a classic sign of a leaking hot water line beneath the slab. Wet spots on carpet or soft areas underfoot point to the same problem.

  • Musty smell or mold appearing out of nowhere

    Mold needs just two things: moisture and time. If you’re noticing a musty odor or mold showing up on walls, baseboards, or ceilings with no obvious explanation, there’s likely water hiding somewhere nearby.

  • Low water pressure

    A sudden or slower drop in water pressure throughout your home, not just one fixture, can mean water is escaping somewhere along the line.

  • Cracks in the wall or foundations

    Water leaking beneath your foundation doesn’t stay put. As it soaks into Columbus’s clay soil, the ground shifts unevenly. That movement shows up as cracks in your walls, floors, or foundation over time.

Five Star Leak Detection Reviews

Real stories from real customers.

From mystery ceiling stains to hidden pipe leaks under floors, families across Ohio count on Five Star Home Services for fast, honest, and reliable leak detection and repair. We don’t just cover up symptoms—we find the source, fix it right, and help you prevent future damage.

See All Reviews

“Nick was fabulous, knew exactly what he was doing, courteous, friendly and was very patient with 101 questions. Thanks Nick!”

— Izzy Mattingly5 stars
Nick Schneider, Plumbing Technician

Nick Schneider, Plumbing Drain Diagnostic

“Nick was VERY helpful and kind. He went above and beyond. It’s so refreshing to see such great rapport in times like now. Would definitely recommend!!”

— Erik McGowan5 stars
Nick Schneider, Plumbing Technician

Nick Schneider, Drain Diagnostic

— Katie Burkett5 stars
Steve Monbeck, Five Star Home Services

Steve Monbeck, Plumbing Service Call

“I had a clogged main drain that kept the whole house from draining, James the drain specialist was absolutely amazing. He explained everything perfectly, he showed me what he was seeing and what I should be seeing. He gave me tips on how to prevent this in the future, he gave me tips so that I wont require further work, and he a great attitude the whole time. Highly recommending James/Five Star to family and friends. Couldn’t be happier with the service!”

— Q0P35 stars
James Ashley, Five Star Home Services

James Ashley, Drain Diagnostic

“Chris Carr was absolutely amazing! My pipes had roots in them built up real bad and I was hoping we wouldn’t have to replace anything and him and his assistant and supervisor kicked ass and got my clean out taken care of and even gave us great tips to keep up on preventative care as well. He was very informative, fun to talk with and extremely personable, and even took care to clean up after the job super well! We’ll definitely be using them in the future!”

— Kayla Small5 stars
Chris Carr, Five Star Home Services

Chris Carr, Drain Diagnostic

“This was our second time using Five Star Home Care in Xenia, and they were just as great as the first. We had a clogged shower drain on a Sunday and were surprised to book an appointment that same morning! James Ashley, our technician, was professional, polite, and efficient. He cleared the drain, checked our pipes, and left the area spotless. Big thanks to Alexis for her help setting everything up. Highly recommend James and the Five Star team!”

— Susie Chaney5 stars
James Ashley, Five Star Home Services

James Ashley, Drain Diagnostic

“Chris did an amazing job! Our system was badly backed up just days after our home warranty expired. He and two other techs worked nearly 10 hours yesterday and Chris returned today for two more. What should’ve cost nearly $1,000 was cut in half thanks to the team’s generosity—and Chris’s hard work likely saved us from an $8,000 repair. Reminder: stay on top of roots in your lines—they can get out of control fast!”

— Allyssa Benny, Drain Diagnostic5 stars
Chris Carr, Five Star Home Services

Chris Carr, Drain Diagnostic

“Very professional, courteous, and knowledgeable. Unlike another company that showed up unprepared, they came within 24 hours, completed the camera inspection, found the break in 20 minutes, provided photos, and gave helpful repair recommendations. I’ll definitely use them again.”

— Randy Kirkland5 stars
James Ashley, Five Star Home Services

James Ashley, Drain Diagnostic

“Chris did a great job! Very thorough, efficient, respectful – and, he of course solved our problem. We highly recommend Chris and Five Star for your plumbing needs.”

— Michael Stoecker5 stars
Chris Carr, Five Star Home Services

Chris Carr, Drain Diagnostic

“Hello, i had a great experience with Mr. Ashley, very polite clean well uniformed on time honest and very communicative and upfront about how it was gonna be approached and price was spot on now hidden fees and was done in no time, country needs more hard working class honest folks like James very appreciative and even asked him for card, serviced us on the lords day even on Sunday! Thank you very much and god bless him, highly recommended.”

— Benjamin Crout5 stars
James Ashley, Five Star Home Services

James Ashley, Drain Diagnostic

Making A Difference Beyond Home Services

We don’t just fix homes— we help rebuild lives!

At Five Star Home Services, we’re more than just a home service provider. We believe families are the foundation of any home. This means that we don’t just fix homes—we help rebuild lives. Our mission? We serve those in need. 

A portion of every job we complete goes toward giving back to those in need, partnering with local nonprofits, and investing in initiatives that strengthen our neighborhoods. We are dedicated to making a difference—the Five Star Difference.

With our roots growing deep into our communities, we wholeheartedly believe in Profit on Purpose—a commitment to using our success as the launchpad to create positive change throughout our service areas.

Your Purchase

With each purchase, you’re helping others in need.

Giving Back

A portion of our revenue is dedicated to giving back to our communities.

Community Change

These local non-profits carry out lasting community change.

Types of Leak Detection in Columbus, OH

    • Slab Leak Detection

      Slab leaks are almost impossible to spot early. The pipe is under concrete. By the time you notice something, water has usually been sitting underneath your foundation for a while. Don’t wait on this one. If you think you have a slab leak, call Five Star Home Services for a slab leak inspection before the damage spreads.

    • Columbus soil is clay-heavy. That means it swells when wet, shrinks when dry, and your pipes feel every bit of it. In older neighborhoods like Franklinton, Olde Towne East, and German Village (where homes go back to the 1800s), many of those pipes are still the originals. Decades of movement wear them down.
  • Sewer Line Leak Detection

    Sewer leaks are also hard to detect until your yard starts smelling like sewage or water’s backing up into your basement. We have a few things working against old sewer lines in our area. Almost a quarter of Columbus has tree cover, meaning a lot of roots are constantly trying to find moisture underground. Roots work their way into cracks, and once they’re in, they don’t stop growing. Just like slab leaks, older pipes are under constant strain from weather and soil conditions.

  • But what do you look for? A sewer leak might be slow drains throughout the house (not just one), gurgling sounds from toilets or drains, or a nasty sewage odor you can’t track down. Outside, watch for soggy patches in your yard, grass that’s suddenly greener in one spot, or sunken areas near the foundation. Five Star Home Services uses camera inspection to locate sewer line leaks without any unnecessary digging. If there’s a problem, we’ll find exactly where it is before any repair work starts.
  • Gas Leak Detection

    Don’t wait if you detect a gas leak. If you smell something, leave the house and call 911 and Columbia Gas of Ohio. Don’t stop to grab anything or delay. That said, gas leaks aren’t always obvious. Natural gas is colorless and odorless on its own, but a chemical called mercaptan is added to give it a rotten-eggs smell.

  • So inside, you might notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor near appliances, a hissing or whistling sound near a gas line, or even dead houseplants with no other explanation. You might also feel dizziness, headaches, or nausea. These symptoms show up before the smell does. Outside, look for dirt blowing up from the ground for no reason, bubbling water in the yard, or a patch of dead grass and plants where a gas line is. Five Star Home Services can inspect your gas lines and connections as part of our leak detection services.
  • Hot Water Leak Detection

    Hot water leaks are sneaky little things. They don’t announce themselves dramatically like a burst pipe or a backed-up drain. You’ll notice a higher water bill, faint water stains you might not even think twice about, or a water heater that, little by little, stops working as well as it used to.

  • When you leave a hot water leak, it wastes your money, damages your floor and subfloor, and nearby walls. Noticing these signs? Five Star Home Services can inspect your water heater, see where the leak is coming from, and walk you through whether a repair or full replacement makes more sense for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Leak Detection

Your plumbing questions answered.

Breathe easier knowing what’s happening behind your walls and under your floors. This FAQ covers common questions about leak detection and repair in Ohio and how our team can help protect your home.

Yes, it’s always an emergency. Don’t try to find the source yourself, don’t flip any light switches, and don’t stop to grab your belongings. You and your family need to leave the house immediately and call 911. Then call Columbia Gas of Ohio at 1-800-344-4077.

Yes. Our plumbers use professional techniques and equipment to track down hidden leaks in walls, ceilings, basements, crawlspaces, and slabs. The goal is to pinpoint the source as accurately as possible to minimize damage and repair costs.

It all depends. You’ll pay between $175 and $350. Emergency or after-hours calls also run higher. Call for an upfront estimate so you know what to expect before any work begins. Five Star provides transparent pricing and three estimates for every job.

We always try to minimize access damage. In some cases, we can confirm a leak’s location with minimal or no opening. If access is required to properly repair the leak, we’ll explain what’s needed and why before starting.

Mold doesn’t take long to show up. It starts showing up in as little as a day or two on wet surfaces, so it’s best to act fast if you notice moisture.

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Peace of Mind with Five Star Protection Plans

Stay Worry-Free with Protection That’s Built to Last

Keeping up with your home maintenance shouldn’t be overly complicated. It should be easy. We offer impressive home maintenance plans designed specifically for you to protect your entire HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems at competitive monthly price rates.

When you STAY PROTECTED with Five Star, you won’t have to worry about unexpected problems at inopportune times. With our plans, you can enjoy priority scheduling, exclusive savings, and more, knowing your home is always in expert hands.

We know it. You know it. But you also deserve peace of mind. So, kick your feet back and relax, knowing your home is protected by Five Star!

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