6 Signs You May Have a leak

Have you suspected for a while that you may have a leak, but no matter what, you just can’t seem to find one?

Don’t give up.

Failure to identify the source of hidden leaks in a property, whether they’re located within the water system itself or are related to a structural problem, can lead to significant damage over time. The longer a leak is left, the more damage it can do and the costlier it can become to repair.

Below, we have listed the more common symptoms that indicate there could be something going on…

1: Water Meter

If you think you have a leak, take some time out to periodically check your water meter. Ensure that all taps are completely shut and any appliances that draw water are turned off. Check the meter periodically several times and if it moves, you could have a leak – the more the meter moves, the faster the leak. If left unchecked, an undiscovered leak can go on to cause severe damage to your property and run up high water bills.

2: Foundation Problems

Called a “slab and leak”, this type of leak happens underneath a slab foundation. It can either have a clear running water sound, or it may only be discovered due to the symptoms it creates – including an increase in your water bill. If you notice new cracks in the foundation wall, existing cracks widening or lengthening, doors or windows that become difficult to open/close, cracks inside your home – particularly above windows, or tilting floors, you could have a leak underneath the slab foundation.

3: Musty and damp odours

Sometimes a damp musty odour can plague a certain area of your home without any obvious sign – no damp or wet patches and no visible signs of mould. If you have an unexplained damp odour, you could have a leak you cannot see. And this could also mean that mould is growing in places you cannot easily reach, for example, within the wall cavity or on the other side of the ceiling. Any mould, however big or small the affected area, needs addressing. A full damp and moisture survey will usually identify the problem. Read about what a damp survey entails.

4: Unexplained water damage

Water damage can come in many forms, from peeling paint and rotting wood to mould growth and blown plaster. If you notice any signs of water damage, that you cannot explain, then you have a leak. This could be from pipework, fixtures and fittings, windows, or even roofs. It’s also important to note that an increase in water (from an undetected leak) will have an impact on relative humidity and subsequent condensation. So if you notice an increase in the amount of condensation in a room, or mould starts to grow where it didn’t before, then these could be signs of an undetected leak.

5: Boiler pressure keeps dropping

Boiler pressure is something that once set, shouldn’t have to be adjusted except perhaps during the boiler’s annual service. So if you are experiencing a consistent drop in pressure, and a heating engineer cannot find a fault with the boiler, then you may have a leak somewhere in the system. Look out for damp patches on carpets, small holes and water drops on the pipework and radiators, and rust/corrosion.

6: Low water pressure

It’s common that water pressure fluctuates when other taps and appliances are running. But if you notice that your water pressure has dropped when all other taps, baths, showers and appliances are off, then you may have a leak on the mains water. Be sure to check your water pressure during off-peak times as water flow can vary during peak hours.

If you suspect you have a leak

If any of the above points sound familiar, but you just cannot find a leak after searching high and low, it may be time to consider leak detection services from a reputable provider.

Leak detection uses a number of techniques to identify leaks, including acoustic or thermal leak detection, endoscopy and water and salt analysis, plus many more. Sometimes, a combination of techniques are required but wherever the leak is and whatever its source, we can find it.

Available 24/7, call us now to discuss your leak detection needs and stop the leak before it causes any further damage.