As much as 10% of homes have, at some point, an undetected water leak that might lose as much as 90 gallons of water a day. Well, truth be told, nobody wants to lose money, especially through their water pipes, right? Not to mention all the thousands of dollars worth of damage that a leak might cause to your property.

So, if by any chance, you suspect that something might be awfully wrong with your house, make sure you read this guide on how to tell if there’s a water leak in your home! It’s much better to be safe than sorry!

Increased water bills

Have your water bills been piling up recently? Because this might be a sign that there’s a serious leak somewhere in the system. If you noticed that the bills suggest you used more water than usual, but for no obvious reasons, you might want to check your property for any signs of leaks.

As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explained, a family of four members shouldn’t have more than 12,000 gallons of usage on a monthly basis on their bill. So check the usage you had on your previous bills, especially in some of the coldest months.

If by any chance, you exceeded the national average by a fairly considerable amount, then it’s very likely that you have a serious leak on your hands.

Wet Spots

Wet spots are more difficult to notice, especially if the leak isn’t that big. You could see them on the floor, on your walls, and even on the ceiling. They’re also very common if your roof is leaking. If we’re talking about a small leak, then they will definitely dry up before you even notice them, or you might think it’s just an innocent spill.

Make sure you take the time to check outside your property, too. If you noticed a patch of grass that seems to be doing far better than the rest of the lawn, you could have an underground leak in your irrigation system, and for THAT, you’ll definitely need a plumber to continue investigating.

Stains

After a wet patch dried up completely but seems to return frequently, you will rapidly notice that the area is more discolored and stained. If we’re talking about a white surface, then the area becomes yellow from all that water. But that’s not your only issue if that’s the case.

Except to see mold growth and mildew. If you haven’t noticed that particular recurring wet area, you are way more likely to notice the staining far later. But truthfully, by the time staining steps in, you should also expect to see a musty or even moldy smell. This can only signify that the leak is deep-set and you will need a plumber to check the damage.

Mold Growth

Mold and mildew are known to love damp environments. In fact, they don’t need much to settle in, as only 24 hours are more than enough for some types of mold to grow. If an area is constantly wet, mold and mildew will happily grow in there.

So if you notice mold, then it’s possibly a sign of a water leak. It’s worth mentioning that living with mold can be awfully dangerous because it will 100% cause serious respiratory issues. Mold spores are released into the air, and if you breathe them, they will instantly start causing trouble in the lungs.

Besides, mold is smelly, too. It has a particular musty smell that can’t be mistaken for anything else. So if by any chance, it’s forming somewhere that you don’t have easy access to, you will definitely notice the smell. To avoid mold, make sure you keep your rooms as ventilated as possible. But if there’s any water leak, you’ll have to take care of that first.

Soft Wood

Wood that has been wet for a while will become spongy when you touch it, so there’s an easy way to check for a leak: you will feel it instantly under your fingers. Wood absorbs water, which makes it flexible and soft.

If that’s the case, then it’s time to worry about possible serious water damage that needs to be solved right away. You could also notice it in bathrooms, especially if the water is leaking into the surrounding fixtures and fittings. Because once the wood becomes damaged, there’s nothing you can do with it, and it requires immediate replacement.

When you have a couple of hours on your hand, remember to remove the fixtures and look for any kind of leaks in the wall, but also on the floor behind.

Peeling Paint

Peeling paint is one of the earliest signs that a leak occurred somewhere, or that water might have been leaking for quite some time now. When paint suddenly becomes damp, it loses its adherence to the wall. It might peel away one long strip if it’s still very wet.

Or, if it already dried out completely, you could discover paint blisters and cracks which might have left the wall in flakes. Both of these are signs that you seriously need to investigate the issue.

Poor Water Pressure

Did you notice that the water pressure is weaker when you tried to shower or clean the dishes? While many might “solve” the issue by assuming there must be a fault somewhere out in the street, but not in your home.

Well, it could be a sign that you’re dealing with a leak on your property. If the water pressure keeps on being such a problem after a while, you should speak to your water company. If they haven’t heard of any leaks in your neighborhood, then it’s a clear sign you need to check inside your property bounds.

Sagging Ceiling

If there’s a huge leak between floors, a terrible alarming sign might be a saggy ceiling. If the water leak is fast and large, like an overflowing bath would be, then the sagginess will rapidly become visible.

However, make sure you keep an eye out for any sagginess in your ceilings, as it could indicate a leaking pipe that’s only releasing a very small amount of water. At some point, enough water might gather to collapse and cause huge damage to your ceilings.

Rusted Metal

Have you discovered by chance any nails in your walls that might have gone rusty? Because this could be a clear sign of dampness inside the walls. In fact, an untreated water leak might easily cause the damp.

There are other signs that might lead to a leak, such as rusty pipes in your plumbing. Technically, older pipes that are entirely made out of galvanized steel will rust pretty badly if they’re leaking. So if you notice you have rusty pipes, you should definitely investigate further the area of leaks and replace them as soon as possible.

Noisy Plumbing

I think it’s fair to say that everyone might hear a couple of bumps and bangs during the night, especially as the air settles in the pipes. Even so, if you hear a constant dripping noise, or even discover that your toilet is continuously refilling, you could have a water leak.

Toilets, especially, might become very noisy when there’s a water leak involved. The tank might take in water, and the piping might grumble and burp as the air keeps on moving around. In conclusion, if your toilet is super noisy, it’s time to get a plumber to investigate!

We can all agree that finding a water leak is no easy job, and it seems that neither is finding the perfect color for your room. However, we’ve decided to help you with a great article: 7 Colors Not To Use When Painting a Small Room