Without first being able to identify the signs of a water leak it can be difficult, if not impossible, to stop water damage before it’s too late. By identifying the signs early on you can address the problem before costly water and secondary damage can occur.
According to a 2023 report by Affinity Water, 68% of UK households have experienced a water leak, collectively costing around £697 million each year in wasted water bills. This staggering figure underscores the ongoing scale of water leakage issues across the country—a problem unlikely to see major improvement by 2025.
In this blog we will be highlighting the 5 most common indicators of a water leak. We will guide you through these common signs, how a leak detection service can help you and what steps you should take. Detecting water leaks before they become major issues will save you both time and money. It can also help protect your home and family from the harmful secondary damage that can occur as a result.
What are the water leak signs to look out for?
A water leak can occur in several places within your home, the location of the leak can help determine what the cause of the leak is. But, in many situations there may not actually be a visible sign of the water leak. This is the reason why knowing all the signs of a water leak is so important. It can be the difference between a quick solution and thousands of pounds of damage.
Quickly detecting leaks by identifying the signs means you can hire a water leak detection specialist to locate the issue and solve the problem before it becomes a major issue. The first and most obvious sign to look out for is damp patches.
Damp patches
Damp patches are the clearest and most obvious sign of a water leak. They will appear quickly in random places and spread over time if not dealt with. In the majority of cases, the damp patch will appear close to where the leaking pipe is located.
When looking out for damp patches you should check
- Walls
- Floors
- Ceilings
Plumbing can be located anywhere and resulting leaks can too. If you notice a damp patch on any surface inside of your property, don’t ignore it. If it is in fact a leak that has caused it, the longer it goes untreated, the more damage it can cause. Even a small leak can result in significant water damage. If the leak saturates the foundation and walls of your property, it can weaken them over time. If the leaks saturate wooden components of your properties structure it can result in them rotting and decaying. Quick action can save you both time and money, as well as protecting the value of your property.
Sudden water bill increase
As previously mentioned, not all signs of a water leak are visible. The water leak may be in a place that you either cannot see or that doesn’t visibly indicate a leak has occurred. However, one way that you can identify the problem is by checking your water bill and comparing you to the previous months. If you do in fact have a leaking water pipe in your property, your water bills will quickly increase. Depending on the severity of the problem your bills could come close to doubling. This is without you actively using more water than usual.
A small water leak may not seem like much of a problem but, over time it can have significant consequences. Even a small leak that drips every few seconds can equate to roughly 3,600 litres of water per month. A large leak can waste an equivalent of 72,000 litres a month, which will add a hefty £240 to your water bill. That’s an extra £2,880 a year! Not to mention the cost of the property damage on top of that!
Low water pressure
Another sign to keep an eye out for is a sudden fall in your water pressure. Taps suddenly and showers suddenly becoming very weak is an indication that you have a leak somewhere in your system. A leak in your plumbing system will cause the volume of water to reduce. It is this reduction in volume that limits the available flow of water to your taps and showers. This can also add significant strain to your plumbing system. Not only can this result in lower water pressure, but it can also mean that you’ll end up paying more on your bills to compensate for the additional power used.
Keep an eye out for a sudden drop in water pressure because it may be a sign of a leak. Noticing this and taking quick action to hire a leak detection specialist could save you thousands of pounds and prevent even more expensive secondary damage.
Mould growth
A leaking pipe will introduce water and moisture into your property. The elevated moisture levels caused by the leak can result in mould growth. In most cases the mould will grow close to the source of the water. Patches of mould growing in areas that you would not normally associate with high levels of moisture is a strong indication that a leaking pipe in proximity is the cause.
It is also important to understand that mould is a form of secondary damage, and the leak has likely been present for a while. But this doesn’t mean it is too late to prevent further damage from occurring. Or, for the mould growth to spread and worsen. If you notice patches of mould in your property you should look to get a professional survey done. They will be able to identify the likely causes as well as a detailed plan of works to remove the mould from your property.
The dangers of elevated moisture levels and mould exposure can’t be understated. Prolonged exposure can cause:
- Respiratory issues
- Allergic reactions
- Fungal infections
- Toxic mould syndrome
- Mental health effects
Standing water
This is perhaps the easiest sign to notice. Random puddles and pools of standing water are a sure sign of a water leak or central heating leak. When the standing water is in areas that would otherwise not be exposed to moisture, it is safe to assume that there is a leak.
Detecting and resolving standing water quickly is crucial to preventing long-term property damage and potential health risks. Regular inspections and prompt repairs ensure leaks are identified early, safeguarding your home from costly repairs and maintaining a healthy indoor environment.
What next?
In the unfortunate circumstance that you have had a water leak and require a professional water leak detection company, contact one of the Ideal Response team. We will happily answer any questions and advise on the best course of action to take.
