Acoustic
Detection
When a pool pipe fails underground, the leak isn't visible — but it makes noise. Acoustic detection equipment listens for the sound of pressurized water escaping through a pipe break, letting us pinpoint the failure location before any excavation begins.
We Hear What You Can't See
Underground pool pipe leaks are invisible from the surface. The pipe is buried beneath concrete, soil, or deck — and the water escaping through a break disperses into the ground before it ever becomes visible. Without acoustic detection, locating that failure means guessing — and guessing means unnecessary excavation.
Acoustic detection equipment picks up the sound signature of pressurized water escaping through a pipe breach. The frequency and intensity of that sound changes depending on the size of the breach, the pipe material, and the depth of the pipe — and experienced technicians can use those signals to triangulate the failure location to within inches.
Most underground pipe leaks we find acoustically would have required significant deck removal to locate by any other method. We confirm every location through multiple passes — not a single reading.
With over 20,000 repairs completed across DFW, acoustic detection is one of the most important tools we use — and one of the most commonly misapplied in the industry.
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Underground Failures — Located Before We Dig
Acoustic detection is used when pressure testing has confirmed a buried line is losing pressure. It tells us where along that line the failure is — so excavation is targeted, not exploratory.
Underground Pipe Breaks
Pressure-side and suction-side pipe failures that run beneath the deck and yard. When a buried pipe fails, the escaping water produces a detectable sound signature at the surface. We use acoustic equipment to follow that signal to the source — before any concrete is touched.
Joint & Fitting Failures
Where underground pipe connects to the pool shell, equipment pad, or transitions between pipe sections, the joint is a common failure point. Acoustic detection can identify water movement at these connection points — often before the failure is large enough to show up on a pressure test alone.
Leak Location Under Concrete
When a pipe runs beneath an existing concrete deck, standard excavation to find the failure is highly disruptive. Acoustic detection lets us identify the failure location from the surface and mark the precise dig point — minimizing the amount of concrete that needs to come up.
How It Works
Acoustic detection is used after pressure testing confirms a line is losing pressure — not as a standalone first step.
Pressure Testing First
We isolate and pressure test each plumbing line individually. When a line fails to hold pressure, we know which line is compromised. Acoustic detection then tells us where along that line the failure is located — not whether a failure exists.
Acoustic Scan
With the line under pressure, we move acoustic sensors along the surface above the pipe run — listening for the sound signature of the breach. The signal increases as we approach the failure and decreases as we move away. We confirm the location through repeated passes — not a single reading — before marking.
Location Mark & Written Report
We mark the precise failure location on the surface and document it in the same-day written report. You know exactly where the failure is and which pipe is involved — before any excavation is discussed or approved.
Written Repair Estimate
If repair is needed, you receive a clear written estimate based on the confirmed failure location — excavation scope, repair method, and cost all in writing before any work begins.
Every inch of accuracy in locating a pipe failure is square feet of concrete that doesn't have to come up. We take the time to get the location right — because the repair cost depends on it.
Written Warranties on Every Repair & Structural Component
Every repair following detection is backed in writing, with clear coverage and real accountability. Warranties are transferable to new homeowners at no additional cost.
Acoustic Detection — FAQ
In the right conditions — a pressurized line, stable pipe depth, and good surface contact — acoustic detection can locate a pipe failure to within inches. Variables like pipe depth, soil composition, surface material, and breach size all affect signal strength. We use multiple passes and cross-reference with pressure test data to confirm the location before marking. We confirm through physical testing — not a single pass.
Not every leak produces a detectable acoustic signal. Very small breaches under low pressure, leaks in sections of pipe with significant soil cover, or failures at fittings deep beneath slabs can be difficult to detect acoustically. When the acoustic signal is inconclusive, we use additional diagnostic methods — including pressure testing patterns and targeted excavation — to confirm the location.
We use acoustic detection when pressure testing has confirmed a buried line is losing pressure and the failure location needs to be determined before excavation. It's one tool in our diagnostic process — used in combination with pressure testing, not as a replacement for it.
The acoustic scan itself typically takes 30 to 60 minutes per line, depending on pipe run length and surface conditions. The full diagnostic — pressure testing and acoustic scan — is usually completed within the same visit and documented in the same-day written report.
You receive a written report documenting the confirmed failure location and a written repair estimate. If you proceed with repair, we excavate at the marked location, repair the pipe, pressure test the repaired section, and backfill. The scope and cost are based on the precise location confirmed during detection — not a range or estimate.
Think You Have an Underground Pipe Leak?
Tell us what your pool is doing, and we'll run a full diagnostic — pressure testing, acoustic detection, and a same-day written report — before recommending the right repair.
Last reviewed: April 2026