5 Serious Signs Of A Hidden Leaking Pipe In Your Home

Did you know that the average family wastes 11,000 gallons of water a year through leaks alone? That’s the equivalent of 270+ loads of laundry.

Picture from Watersense

While some of leaks are minor and easily found (e.g.: leak in toilets, showerheads, faucets) others are hidden. These harmful hidden leaks are the most dangerous ones since they can cost you hundreds–even thousands–in damage to your home.

Here are 5 signs you’ve got a hidden leaking pipe somewhere in your home.

1. Outrageously high water bills
   There are high water bills and then there are, “There’s no way I spent this much on water” bills.
   
   If your water bill has been way above the norm for several months, and you can’t recall any change in your water usage, you may have a hidden leak.
2. Water meter shows you’ve got a leak
   Your water meter can confirm your fears of a water leak in your home.
   
   Watch this brief 4 minute video from conserveh2o.org for step-by-step instructions for how to find your water meter and read it to discover if you’ve got a water leak.
3. Mold or mildew on non-shower walls
   A leaky pipe in your wall is the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew because they thrive in dark, moist places. So, if you find mold or mildew growing on a non-shower wall (where mildew is expected to grow), a leaky pipe could be the problem.
4. Stained, damaged, or sagging walls, ceilings and flooring
   Warping, bubbling, sagging or staining on any of your home walls ceilings and flooring can be caused by hidden leaks from surrounding pipes near those areas.
   
   Granted, high amounts of humidity can also cause some of these problems. But combine this problem with high water bills and the previously mentioned symptoms and chances are you have a hidden water leak.
5. Musty smell
   Old water that accumulates smells musty. So, if you clean your bathroom, but it still has a musty smell, chances are there is a hidden leak somewhere that’s allowing water to accumulate somewhere in your home.

How to find a good Atlanta plumber near you

If most of these problems apply to you, find a plumber near you to find the leak and fix it before it causes more damage to your home.

If you don’t know how to find a good plumber, read our article, Quick Tips for Finding a Good Plumber in the Atlanta Area.