How to Spot Hidden Plumbing Leaks in Your Home

Begin your search for hidden water leaks in the house by closely watching the water bill. If the amount you owe suddenly shoots up without a change in your water usage, you've probably got a leak. Next, listen for leaky sounds. If the house is quiet enough, you might hear water dripping or running from somewhere it's not supposed to be. Also check for smells. Any musty or moldy odors could be indicators of water that's found a secret way into your house. Then do a visual inspection. Look at all the places where water could be either going into or coming out of the house, and check around doors and windows for any signs of water having gotten through. Finally, if you want or need to be more sure, consider some technology.

If you want to discover a hidden pipe leak, keep an eye on your water bill for any suspicious hikes, and on your water meter for any irregularities. In addition, check your home's walls, floors, and ceilings for any clear signs of a leak. We're talking about the kind of signs that not only fall under the realm of absurdity but also have a fair share of the possible visual spectrum: mold, mildew, and water stains. If using the more traditional plumbing detective methods yields nothing, your last resort is to employ the use of a thermal imaging camera—either on your own or at the behest of a visit from a plumbing professional.

Having a leak detected can cost quite a bit depending on where it is, how much of a leak it might be, and how they've chosen to find it. What we might think of as average seems to be in the ballpark of paying anywhere from $100 to $400 for a pro to figure out if you're about to start having water problems. But for more complex scenarios or advanced methods that might be necessary, costs can ramp up. And good luck finding any clear information online about what typical rates might be for your particular situation.

Various methods are used by plumbing professionals to identify leaks. They may use specialized equipment, like electronic leak detectors, for instance. They may also use infrared cameras and acoustic listening devices. But usually the first step is a detailed visual inspection. The inspector looks for obvious signs that a leak might be present. Water damage, mold, and a musty odor can indicate trouble. Once a potential problem is found, the inspector may do some further testing. Pressure testing, which determines whether there is a drop in water pressure, can help locate a problem area. Another method using leak detection gas can also be used. By combining these techniques, the inspector can usually locate a hidden leak without causing too much damage.

Indeed, there are a number of tools one can utilize to help discover when water is leaking in the home. A common one is the electronic leak detector, which listens for the sound of water escaping from pipes. Then there are infrared cameras, which can be used to locate moisture in walls or under floors by the temperature differences such moisture creates. Next are the water leak detection systems, which can be installed in the plumbing system of the home and will alert you to any leaks by monitoring the flow of water. If you want a simpler tool, you might consider using a moisture meter to help discover where the moisture levels in the walls or floors are high. For larger and more complicated plumbing systems, the best bet might be using an acoustic listening device, which will amplify the sound of moving water and help you pinpoint just where the leak is.

Water leak coverage under homeowners insurance is contingent on the leak being sudden and accidental. If the cause of the leak is not related to poor maintenance and the leak itself is not gradual, then you can probably expect your homeowners insurance to cover the water leak. If, on the other hand, you find a leak that has been going on for some time (perhaps even just behind a wall) or a part of your home that you don't have direct access to, there is a good chance that your insurance will not cover any damages related to the source of the leak.

A leak's origin is discovered by plumbers who engage in various methods and wield a number of different tools. One of the first steps might be to conduct a visual inspection, using the kinds of sight-focused strategies with which any detective might be familiar. The plumbers look for signs that something is out of order—something that might not be visible if everything were as it should be. They might also turn to specialized equipment of a kind that the plumbing profession has developed and honed over the years. This includes moisture meters and infrared cameras, which work with different properties of light and moisture to identify the wettest places in a wall or under a floor.

To pinpoint the source of a leak, first check common culprits like faucets, toilets, and showerheads for any visible drips or pooling water. Then take a close look at your water meter: If you take a reading and then go strictly water-free for a few hours and then take another reading, any variation between the two will almost certainly indicate a leak. Next, do a close inspection of your ceilings, walls, and floors. You are looking for any kind of staining or discoloration that would indicate water intrusion. Listen closely. Hissing or dripping noises can be a big clue that you've got pipes leaking behind your walls or under your floors. Finally, if you're just not finding anything and your water bill is somehow still sky-high, consider hiring a professional.

Underground leaks are located by plumbers using a variety of advanced techniques and tools, including:- Acoustic leak detectors that listen for the sound of water escaping pipes- Ground microphones that amplify these sounds- Thermal imaging cameras that spot temperature differences indicating a leak- Tracer gas testing that iOHolves introducing a safe gas into the plumbing system and using sensors to pinpoint where the gas escapes- Video inspection cameras that can be used for a non-destructive look at the interior of pipes

How long it takes for a plumber to find a leak depends on several things: the complicacy of the plumbing system, the location of the leak, and the tools or technology being used. For leaks that are relatively easy to access, a plumber might find the problem in about an hour. But for more complex leaks or those that are well-hidden (like behind a wall or underground), the search can take several hours and may even require return visits if special equipment or techniques are called for.