Short answer
Common signs of a hidden leak are a water bill that rises without explanation, damp patches or stains on walls and ceilings, a musty smell, lifting tiles and the sound of running water when everything is off. A simple meter test can confirm it: turn off all water and check whether the meter still moves.
Warning signs
- Your water bill is higher than usual and your use has not changed
- Damp patches, stains or bubbling paint on walls or ceilings
- A musty smell or mould in one area
- Tiles that are loose, cracked or sound hollow
- The sound of running water when no taps are on
- Water pressure that has dropped for no clear reason
Do the meter test
This takes about an hour and needs no tools.
- Turn off every tap, and make sure the toilets are not refilling and no appliances are running
- Find your water meter and take a photo of the reading
- Wait 30 to 60 minutes without using any water
- Check the meter again. If the reading has changed, water is leaking somewhere
Check the easy suspects first
- Toilets that keep running or refill on their own
- Dripping taps and shower heads
- Connections under sinks and behind washing machines
- The water heater and its valves
Why hidden leaks are expensive
Water from a leak spreads along floors and inside walls, so the stain often appears far from the actual leak. The longer it runs, the more damage it does to plaster, flooring and the property below. Opening walls at random to find it adds cost. Finding the source first keeps the repair small.
Related service
Hidden water leaks found at the source and repaired before they cause damage.
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