Trying to save what money I can with this find and fix. Every company wants a service fee ($150-400) to even come out and quote me, and they won't apply it towards total repair if I go with them. They want around $350 to blow air in my lines to locate the leak or leaks with their ears.

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So, just bought a home, high water bill. Shut off cold water intake on water heater, water meter stopped running. There is a hot spot on floor in bathroom near toilet.

I've called around and every plumber says they don't have equipment to detect leaks, they just blow air into the lines and listen for hissing with their ears. Called leak detection that has equipment and they can locate the leak or leaks for me, for a hefty fee.

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How accurate is finding a leak or leaks by blowing air into lines. Does this suffice to find problems enough that I don't need leak detection company first?