Expert Leak Detection

What to Do If You Suspect a Leak

Immediate Steps

1. Call Pegasus Leak Detection: Contact us to book the soonest available time slot. Early detection and intervention are crucial to minimize damage and repair costs.
2. Shut Off the Water: Turn off your water at the main valve to prevent further damage. If the leak is gas-related, ensure your safety by shutting off the gas supply and ventilating the area.
3. Mitigate Water Damage: Use towels or a wet/dry vacuum to collect excess water and prevent further damage.

How to Prepare for Our Arrival

Preparing for Our Visit

1. Know Your Fixtures:
   • Be aware of the location of every water fixture in your home. This includes:
     1. Water meter
     2. Main shutoff at the house
     3. All hose bibs connected to the house
     4. Water softeners and water softener loops (if they exist)
     5. Water heaters
     6. Washing machines
     7. Kitchen sinks
     8. Refrigerators
     9. Bathrooms
     10. Bar sinks
     11. Any other areas with water connections
   • Know the locations of exterior water fixtures, including:
     1. Water meter
     2. All exterior hose bibs
     3. Zone valves
     4. Backflows
     5. Pool fill lines
     6. Shut off valves
     7. Any other relevant water fixtures on the exterior
2. Utility Manipulation
   • During our leak detection process, we will need to manipulate the utility in question. If you suspect a water leak, we will need to shut the water on and off and use it as needed. It’s important to have complete control of the system during our visit, which means no one should use water while we are on site. Please ensure all water usage is completed before our arrival, including:
     1. Showers
     2. Washing machines
     3. Dishwashers
     4. Landscape watering
     5. Any other water usage
   • By adhering to these guidelines, we can work more efficiently and effectively to locate and address the leak.
3. Remodeling Information: Inform us if there have been any remodels that involved relocating water fixtures (e.g., a vanity moved during a bathroom remodel).
4. House Tour: Provide a tour of the house to help us get our bearings. We need to see all areas where water fixtures are located.
5. Property Access: Ensure we have access to the entire property, including rooms, upstairs areas, and garages. Please clear any rooms as necessary to allow us to explore and investigate where the hidden leak might be.

Report Broken Fixtures: Be aware of any fixtures that are not working properly, as intended, or are leaking. Present any issues to us, as they could hinder our ability to perform an accurate consultation. We may want to address these issues before scheduling the leak consultation.

Filing Insurance Claims

Insurance Guidance

When it comes to filing an insurance claim for a leak, it’s important to be informed and prepared. Under Section 2695.9 of California’s Fair Claims Settlement Practices Act, insurers must act in good faith and conduct prompt and fair investigations.

Determining Coverage

When determining coverage, it’s crucial to follow the money and carefully consider who you hire for leak detection. The leak detection company you choose can significantly impact the outcome of your claim. As leak detection is a non-licensed industry with significant variation in findings, it’s vital to select a company that operates with integrity and transparency. Remember, some companies may have close ties with insurance carriers, potentially influencing their findings.

At Pegasus Leak Detection, we prioritize your interests and provide unbiased, thorough leak detection services. Our goal is to ensure you have accurate information to support your claim and protect your property.

Insurance Carrier Requirements

In our experience, all insurance carriers except StateFarm require two things to have occurred in order to have a valid claim:

1. Sudden In-Home Event: The leak must be a sudden occurrence within the home.
2. Water Damage: There needs to be some sort of water damage resulting from the leak.

Even though extensive damage in the form of creating access may need to occur to repair a leak, water damage is almost always required to file a valid claim.

Expectation Guide

Accuracy and Realistic Expectations

At Pegasus Leak Detection, we strive to provide accurate and precise leak detection services. However, it’s important to understand that leak detection is an unlicensed industry, and there are factors that can lead to inaccuracies. We want to ensure that your expectations are realistic, and we are committed to addressing any concerns you may have.

Our Accuracy Guarantee

While we aim to be as accurate as possible, there are x-factors and anomalies that can affect the detection process. In the event that any water leak in a commercial or industrial setting, or a residential or multi-family housing exterior leak is not located within a 4-foot radius of our designated mark, we commit to revisiting the location and relocating the same leak at no extra charge. Similarly, for all interior residential or multi-family housing water leaks, if the issue is not pinpointed within a 2-foot radius of our mark, we will return to re-locate the leak at no additional cost to you. For gas and air leaks, the guarantee radius extends to 3 feet for interior residential leaks and 5 feet for everything else, ensuring accurate detection and relocation within these specified distances.

Challenges with Small and Large Leaks

Small leaks may be harder to initially isolate but could be easier to precisely mark their location on the floor. Larger leaks, on the other hand, may be easier to isolate to a certain area but hard to mark their exact location. Large leaks can be heard in a larger area, and the presence of large amounts of water underground can muffle the actual leaking noise.

Our Commitment

As a consultant, a business owner, a local, a conservationist, and a perfectionist, I personally will do what I can to be as accurate as possible. Unrealistic expectations may strain our relationship with customers and hinder our ability to meet their needs effectively. We are committed to working with you to address any concerns and ensure your satisfaction with our services.

Utility Rebate Information for Ventura County, CA

For homeowners in Ventura County, CA, we have gathered information on how to collect utility rebates for leak detection and repairs. Below is a list of cities within Ventura County. Each city name is a clickable link that will take you to a dedicated page with specific information on how to apply for utility rebates, including downloadable PDFs, contact numbers, and email addresses for further assistance.

• Camarillo
• Fillmore
• Moorpark
• Oxnard
• Port Hueneme
• Santa Paula
• Simi Valley
• Thousand Oaks
• Ventura