If you’ve got a water leak in your home, you need a water leak repair service that can come stop the leak and fix the issue. But, as a homeowner, you may not be aware of the signs that a leak is present. Most leaks start behind the walls or under the ground, making it easy to miss for quite some time. Here are some of the key signs that you may have a water leak. 

Higher Than Normal Water Bills

The number one sign that you may have a water leak is receiving a water bill that is higher than normal for no reason. If you get a high bill and suspect you may have a leak, you should turn off the water to your home and then go look at the water meter. To gain a more detailed understanding of your water usage and detect leaks more effectively, consider installing bluebot’s clamp-on water flow meter, a tool that can provide real-time water usage data without the need for complex plumbing alterations.

If the water meter continues to move, despite you not using any water in your, you have a leak somewhere.

Hearing the Sound of Running Water

When water is running, you can hear water moving in your pipes or in your water fixtures. In some cases, you may be able to hear water moving if there is a leak, depending on where exactly the leak is located. If you are laying in bed at night, and you hear the sound of running water, you should be concerned that there may be a leak present in your home. 

Noticing Wet Spots in Your Home

You should never ignore any wet spots in your home. If you’re in the garage and see a wet spot on the ground or in your basement, you should immediately start to wonder why the wet spot is present and where it came from. A wet spot most likely indicates that there is a leak in your home, usually close by the wet spot that has appeared. Before cleaning it up, mark the location where the wet spot was. If you clean it up and it appears again in the same general area, you have a leak in the vicinity of the wet spot.  

Seeing Bubbling, Peeling, or Warped Paint or Drywall

Your pipes do not all run beneath your house. Many pipes run behind the walls of your home, especially if you have a two- or three-story home. If you notice that the paint on your walls is starting to bubble or peel, or you notice the drywall looks warped or wavy, water is the likely cause of these issues. This can be an indication that there is a slow leak coming from a pipe behind the wall. The problem will continue to worsen if it’s not addressed. 

Reduction in Your Water Pressure

One of the lesser-known signs that you may have a water leak in your home is a reduction in your water pressure. If there is a small hole or crack in a pipe, some of the water is leaking out of the pipe instead of making its way to your sink faucet or shower head. This water loss may appear to be a reduction in water pressure. Anytime you have a reduction in water pressure, you should hire a plumber to find out why. This is always a sign of a much larger issue with your plumbing system. 

Smelling Mildew or Mold 

Lastly, if you start to smell mildew or mold in your home, you may have a water leak. Mold and mildew need water and moisture to grow. If you smell this scent, it’s a key indicator that one or both of these organic materials is growing in your space. The moisture has to come from somewhere to fuel this growth, and it may very well be from a leaking pipe or plumbing appliance.

If you notice one or more of the signs listed above, you are likely dealing with a water leak in your home. If you suspect you have a leak, it’s important to shut the water off and then call a plumber who offers a water leak repair service. They can help determine where the leak is, why the leak is present, and what repairs are needed to solve the issue. Water leaks can damage your home’s structure, as well as lead to potential mold growth, so you want to address a potential leak as quickly as possible.