The most damaging leaks are the ones you can't see. A slow leak inside a wall or under a slab can rot framing, breed mold, and inflate your water bill for months before you notice. Here's how to catch one early.
Watch for these signs
- A water bill that rises with no change in usage
- The sound of running water when everything is off
- Musty smells or unexplained mold
- Warped floors, bubbling paint, or ceiling stains
- Warm spots on the floor (hot-water line leaks)
- Persistently damp spots in the yard
The meter test
Turn off every water fixture in your home. Find your water meter and note the reading, then wait two hours without using any water and check again. If the number moved, you likely have a leak somewhere in the system.
Check the usual suspects
Toilets are the most common hidden culprit. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank; if color appears in the bowl within 15 minutes without flushing, the flapper is leaking.
Pro Tip
If your meter test shows a leak but you can't find the source, a plumber can use electronic and acoustic leak-detection equipment to pinpoint it without tearing up your home.
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