Lake Forest, Lacey, WA
Water Leak Detection in Lake Forest
On a large lot, a leak in the buried water line can be anywhere between the street and your front door. Lake Forest homes sit on some of the bigger lots in Lacey, so finding a hidden line leak without digging up the yard takes the right tools.
About Lake Forest
Lake Forest is in the southern part of Lacey, just east of Long Lake. It is known for more than 400 homes on large lots, about 22 acres of natural greenbelt, and a private 4.5 acre neighborhood park, Hearing Park, with trails and a canoe and kayak launch leading down to Long Lake. Evergreen Forest Elementary is located in the neighborhood.
Large Lots, Long Lines
The bigger the lot, the longer the pipe from the meter to the house. On many Lake Forest properties that buried line runs a good distance under lawn, beds, driveways and paths. A leak along it can go unnoticed because:
- The water soaks into a large area of soil instead of pooling
- Rainy season ground hides the wet spot
- Landscaping and mulch cover the surface
- Pressure inside the house may drop only a little
Guessing means digging trench after trench. Detection means one small dig at the marked spot.
How we find it
- Confirm the leak is on the buried line by closing the main valve at the house and watching the meter.
- Trace the path of the line across the property.
- Listen along the route with ground microphones.
- Use tracer gas for quiet or deep leaks.
- Mark the exact spot on the ground.
More on our water line leak detection page.
Other Leaks We Check in Lake Forest
- Tree roots near the greenbelt pressing on buried water and drain lines
- Sprinkler systems covering big lawns, where one cracked line wastes a lot of water. See sprinkler leak detection.
- Crawl space leaks under homes that sit over a crawl space
- Outdoor spigots on the far side of the house or garage, damaged in past freezes
- Water heaters that have been in place a long time
Signs to Watch For
- A strip of lawn greener than the rest, running toward the house
- A soft or sunken spot in the yard or driveway
- Water bill creeping up month after month
- Weak water pressure throughout the house
- Hissing near the meter box
Services in Lake Forest
Nearby Lacey Neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to find a leak on a large lot?
Longer lines take more time to trace, but most are found in a single visit.
Will you need to dig up my lawn?
Only the repair needs digging, and only at the spot we mark.
Can you find a leak under my driveway?
Yes. Acoustic and tracer gas tools work through concrete and asphalt.
How do I know if the leak is in the sprinkler system or the main line?
Close the irrigation shutoff. If the meter stops, it is the sprinklers. If it keeps moving, it is likely the main line or inside the house.
for leak detection in Lake Forest.