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Key Takeaways
- The most common signs of hidden water leaks in your home are rising water bills, mold growth, water damage, low water pressure, or gurgling noises in the pipes.
- There are several DIY tests you can perform to check for a hidden water leak, including water meter checks, visual inspections, and the toilet dye test.
- A professional plumber can pinpoint the issue and fix it fast, using precise techniques and proper tools that won’t damage plumbing or fixtures.
- Comfort Bros offers fast emergency plumbing services to El Cajon and the surrounding areas, locating and repairing leaks to minimize damage to your home.
Hidden Water Leaks Can Drain Your Wallet — Here’s How To Spot Them Early
You may have a hidden water leak in your house if you notice musty odors, sudden spikes in your water bills, signs of water damage on your walls, ceilings, and floors, or low water pressure without an obvious cause. These leaks are hazardous to your property and may pose a health risk. If left unaddressed, they can lead to costly damage, mold and mildew growth, and rising water bills.
Comfort Bros is a local California company providing fast leak detection and repair services to El Cajon, CA, residents. If you need expert plumbing repair now, give us a call and we’ll be there quickly to locate and stop any water leaks.
How Do I Know If My House Has a Hidden Water Leak?
The following water leak warning signs indicate a burst, cracked, or leaking pipe in the walls, floor, or ceiling.
Sudden spike in water bill
A hidden water leak increases your water bills because water continues to flow out of the plumbing even when you’re not using it. Even a tiny trickle can add up to huge water waste. The EPA estimates that 10% of average U.S. households waste an average of 90 gallons or more per day due to leaky fixtures and pipes.
Musty smells or mold growth
Damp, warm environments create the perfect conditions for mold and mildew to thrive. Mold growing in your house is a sign of excess moisture, often indicating leaking pipes behind the walls or water pooling under the floors.
Peeling paint, bubbling walls, or ceiling stains
Water damage shows up in many forms. If you have a hidden leak in the ceiling or walls, you may notice peeling paint, bubbling drywall, or discolored stains blooming on the ceiling.
Low water pressure or unusual noises in the pipes
Leaks often lower your water pressure because the water flow has multiple directions to travel. Even tiny leaks can cause noticeable changes in the pressure coming from your taps and showerheads.
Unusual noises in the pipes occur when air enters the plumbing. A hole, burst pipe, or small crack may allow air bubbles to form in the pipes, causing knocking or bubbling sounds.
What DIY Leak Checks Can Homeowners Try?
There are a few easy ways to test for common plumbing leaks in your house before calling a plumber for help.
Visual inspection
Sometimes, the cause of low water pressure or a skyrocketing bill is as simple as somebody forgetting to turn a hose off. Walk around the house and inspect fixtures, taps, visible pipes, appliances, and outdoor sprinklers. Check for running water, drips, pools, and moisture damage, as well as any visible damage to pipes or fixtures.
Water meter test
Your water meter tells you how much water is passing through it. If you stop using all water, including turning off any appliances that use water, and the small dial continues to spin, there’s probably a hidden plumbing leak in your home.
Toilet dye test
Using a nontoxic dye, such as food coloring, can detect a leak in your toilet by coloring the water in the tank. If you don’t flush the toilet, but the color still seeps into the bowl, that’s a sign that the toilet is leaking.
When Should You Call a Professional Leak Detection Service?
If you can’t find a simple cause for your excess water use, or if there’s water damage to your home due to hidden leaks, it’s always best to call a plumber right away. A professional can find slab leak signs, water seepage, toilet leaks, pipe issues, water heater leaks, and more, using high-tech tools to pinpoint the source of the leak fast.
At Comfort Bros, our licensed plumbers are available to assist you. Our plumbing experts know how to fix leaks properly, at the source, without causing damage to the plumbing or your fixtures.
Benefits of Booking Leak Detection With Comfort Bros
When you book leak detection with Comfort Bros, you’ll receive expert help with licensed, insured plumbers who know how to find and fix leaks fast, even when they’re hidden from sight. Our team uses extensive knowledge, along with high-tech listening devices and plumbing cameras, to pinpoint the exact source of the leak and minimize damage.
Along with professional detection, we also repair and repipe homes and provide expert drain cleaning services in the El Cajon and San Diego area, so we can fix your plumbing problems for a lasting solution.
We understand that hidden water leaks can be a costly surprise, so we offer flexible financing options and often have specials available to reduce the cost of plumbing work. Our customers count on us for expert advice and professional, trustworthy plumbers.
We’re Local and Ready To Help
Our service areas include:
- El Cajon, CA (92019, 92020, 92021)
- San Diego, CA (92101–92199)
- La Mesa, CA (91941, 91942)
- Santee, CA (92071, 92072)
- Chula Vista, CA (91910–91915)
- Lemon Grove, CA (91945)
- National City, CA (91950)
- Spring Valley, CA (91977, 91978)
- Poway, CA (92064)
- Lakeside, CA (92040)
Ready To Stop That Leak? Contact Comfort Bros Today
We’re located near San Diego County, so we can arrive at your El Cajon residence quickly to inspect your plumbing system and address any leaks we find. We offer free estimates on all services, a 5-star customer satisfaction guarantee, and reasonable pricing on all services. Contact us today for expert leak detection and plumbing repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common warning signs of a plumbing leak in walls or floors?
The most common warning signs of a plumbing leak include low water pressure, higher water bills, mold and mildew growth, musty odors, and visible property damage and water stains. If you see pooling water or notice an issue with your plumbing, call Comfort Bros and we’ll take a look at your earliest convenience.
What should I do if my water meter keeps running even when everything is off?
If your water meter keeps running after you’ve shut off all taps, faucets, and appliances, you may have a hidden leak. Contact a professional plumber for an inspection immediately to prevent further water waste and property damage.
Should I worry about hearing hissing or dripping sounds behind my walls?
Yes. Sounds like hissing and dripping most likely mean there’s water leaking from a cracked or damaged pipe. If you’re hearing these sounds behind the walls, contact us for expert assistance right away.
