MAKE THE VISIT MORE USEFUL
Prepare for a Leak Detection Appointment
A short record and a clear conversation about scope can help you prepare for a leak detection visit. You do not need to identify the failed pipe before calling.
If the situation is urgent
If water is near electrical equipment or an area appears unsafe, keep clear and seek appropriate qualified help. Confirm current availability directly with the provider you contact. This educational site does not dispatch an emergency service.
Put the useful information in one place
- Describe what changed and when you first noticed it.
- Keep recent bills and any utility notices available.
- Record meter observations with units, times and known water use.
- Collect photos taken safely, with dates and locations.
- Note recent repairs, equipment changes or irrigation schedule changes.
- Have any existing plumbing drawings or previous test reports ready, if available.
Use the observation log to describe the problem without deciding its cause in advance. Tell the provider if an observation happened only once or if conditions have changed since the photo was taken.
Arrange permitted access
Ask which areas the professional expects to need. A meter, shutoff, equipment area or affected room may require access arrangements. Do not force a locked area, operate a utility-owned valve or make an opening on someone else’s property.
For a rental, managed property or shared building, establish who can authorize the visit and any later access work. Confirm attendance and entry arrangements with the responsible person. This guide does not determine ownership of a line or authority to approve work.
Ask what the appointment includes
| Topic | Question |
|---|---|
| Initial visit | What is included in the visit, and what is charged separately? |
| Methods | How will you choose the first test after reviewing the symptoms? |
| Access | Which rooms, equipment or outdoor areas need to be accessible? |
| Findings | Will I receive a written summary, photographs or a marked location? |
| Uncertainty | What happens if the first visit does not isolate the source? |
| Repair | Who quotes access, repair and restoration, and when do I approve those? |
Keep observations and work authorization separate
A testing appointment does not automatically settle every repair decision. Ask the provider to explain the findings and proposed next step before access or repair work begins. Request a written scope appropriate to the work being proposed.
After the visit
Keep the findings, invoice, photographs and any proposed repair scope together. Record what remains unresolved. Use the repair decision checklist if more than one option is presented.
For professional service information in Georgia, visit Georgia Water Leak Detection and confirm current suitability and appointment details directly.