Are you worried about having a hidden water leak in your house? You are not alone! Water damage is one of the primary concerns among homeowners. The thought of the harm that can be done to your property due to water being where it isn’t supposed to be is horrifying. Yet, no matter how hard you try to maintain your house and plumbing system, it seems like you can always miss a spot and allow for the problem to grow.

Before you continue to stress out, let us tell you there are signs of hidden water leaks you can track to prevent water damage. Knowledge is everything, and as long as you know where and what to look for, you can prevent the malfunction of your plumbing system. So, stay with us and discover how to find a hidden water leak in your home.
 

Monitor Your Water Meter

Sometimes, it’s hard to detect a water leak because it’s just too small. You have to think of other ways to perform the inspection, and the easiest one includes checking the utility bills. If you can’t find the proper explanation behind too high water consumption, you probably have a water leak somewhere in the system. In this case, you should take a look at the water meter.

Your water meter will show if there are any huge fluctuations. You just need to make sure you turned off the water. If all your water sources are off and the water meter shows activity, there’s a leak somewhere in the system. After the reading, you can start with the full inspection in order to find a leak. Still, if you end up unable to detect it, and you still get high bills and wrong readings on the water meter, seek professional help.
 

Inspect Your Faucets and Drains

Leaking faucets and clogged drains are among the most common plumbing issues in most households. A rubber washer underneath the handle of the faucet gets worn out incredibly often. Luckily, you don’t need a plumber to resolve the issue. Buy a new piece, turn off the water under the sink, and remove the faucet handles to access the gasket. Then, you can install the piece, and that’s about it.

Now, when it comes to drains, simple clogs are easy to spot. If the water backs up or goes away too slowly, there’s a blockage somewhere in the drain. Small clogs are simple to fix. You only need to buy some drain cleaner (which can be found in every store around the corner) and pour it down the drain. For more stubborn clogs, we recommend a plunger or professional help.
 

Check Your Bathroom

Detecting hidden water leaks is by no means easy, and you need to inspect every room in the house that shows more potential for developing a problem. Your bathroom is certainly one such place that requires regular inspection and maintenance. 
 

Tub and Shower

The most common type of bathroom leak is the water escaping past a shower curtain or a shower door. It might seem insignificant at first, but this leak causes a lot of damage when the water gets to the subfloor. Your flooring might start loosening up over time and go beyond repair. Therefore, if you notice any of the following signs, take action right away:
 

• Curling or loose flooring
   
• Peeling or flaking paint
   
• Water stains on the ceiling or joints
   
• Mold on the wall or floor
   
• Water on the floor behind the shower curtain or shower door

 

Toilet

If you want to find and repair hidden plumbing leaks, start with the bathroom and the toilet. The toilet is often to blame for water leaks. Believe it or not, a leaky toilet can cost you a lot of money in the long run, and you might not even notice the problem.

Here is our suggestion on how to check for hidden water leaks in toilets:
 
Remove the tank lid and add food coloring or dye tabs. Wait for half an hour and check the results. If you have any color in the toilet bowl, you have a leak. Luckily, in most cases, only the flapper needs to be replaced, and you can do it on your own.
 

Look for Stains and Discoloration

One of the ways to find a leak in your house is a general inspection. Leaks in pipes and plumbing inside the ceilings and walls often go undetected until something really bad happens. To prevent gradual damage, perform a simple visual inspection. Look at your walls and ceilings and make sure there are no stains or discoloration. If you notice even the slightest change in the color of your walls, call a plumber. You might have an underlying problem that could cause a lot of damage to your property.
 

Be Aware of Underground Water Leaks

Another thing we noticed is that many people don’t know how to detect a water leak underground. To be completely honest, this is a tricky one. Outdoor water leaks are not only expensive to repair but challenging to figure out.

We suggest you look for anything suspicious in your yard. Are there any softer spots in the grass? Is that one area always wet while the rest of the yard is dry? Remember, hidden leaks are often super small and can cause only a minor issue at the beginning. Therefore, you won’t be looking for continuous water flow but small puddles of water in the yard.
 

Time to Call a Professional Leak Detection Company?

If you follow our guidelines regularly, you will be able to detect and diagnose hidden water leaks without any issues. However, we have to admit some things are out of reach even for passionate DIYers and proud homeowners. If you can’t notice any changes in your household yet you still suspect having a water leak, don’t hesitate to contact Leak Science!
 
We can help you with the general home inspection and repairs, so you can get back to your life stress-free. Sometimes, all you need is a pair of fresh eyes to look into the problem, and Leak Science offers professional services on top of it.