Five Tips for Water Leak Detection in Homes

One of the easiest ways to determine if you have a water leak in your home is to review your water bills. They should remain pretty stable throughout the year, possibly increasing if you get a new appliance that uses water such as a refrigerator with a water dispenser and icemaker or during the summer months if you are watering your lawn a lot. If your water bills are going up but your water usage habits haven’t changed, then you likely have a leak.



According to the EPA, the average family of four should use less than 12,000 gallons of water each month. If your utility bill shows that you are using more water than that, consider that to be a sign that you could have a leak.

One telltale way to determine if you have a water leak is to monitor your water meter. It’s not nearly as difficult as it sounds.

Start by locating your water meter. It’s typically mounted on the side or back of your house close to where the water supply enters your home. Your water meter might also be found underground near the street, usually under a cover marked “water.”

The next step is to turn off all of the water in the house. Make sure all of your faucets are closed and that appliances, such as your dishwasher and washing machine, are not running. Don’t forget to turn off the ice maker too.

With everything off, watch the water meter to see if the numbers go up. They shouldn’t because you are not using any water. So, if you see the numbers changing, then you likely have a fast-moving leak. However, many leaks are slow moving. To detect a slow leak, you will want to leave the water off for an hour or two and then read the meter again. If it has changed, with all of the water still turned off, then you know you have a slow leak somewhere in your home.



With a likely leak confirmed, it’s time to play detective and go in search of the cause of the water leak. It could be a plumbing fixture, pipe, or even an appliance.

If you suspect you have a leak, home improvement expert Bob Vila suggests you start by inspecting the plumbing hook-ups in your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. You want to make sure everything is dry under your cabinets and that there are no signs of water dripping or mold growth.

The next step is to search around your appliances for wet spots, especially near the dishwasher, washing machine, and water heater. If you see any puddles, you should immediately turn off the water supply to that appliance until it can be fixed.



The same is true if you see water pooling around the base of the bathtub, shower stall, or toilet. The EPA notes that a leaky faucet “wastes more than 3,000 gallons per year.” It’s usually a simple fix – often all you need to do is replace the worn washers and gaskets. 

When it comes to leaks inside a home, the most common culprit is the toilet. That’s a shame because not only are you wasting precious water, but you are literally flushing money down the drain. Alert Labs, a manufacturer of water sensor kits, found that a typical toilet leak can cost you $80 each month. That can skyrocket to $600 if your toilet is running continuously because of a bad flapper.  In short, it's that little stopper that prevents your toilet from filling up and eventually flushing.

Fortunately, it’s easy to test to see if your toilet is working properly. Simply put a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank and wait about ten minutes. If you see color in the toilet bowl, then you know that you have a leak.

The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association’s Smart Home Water Guide offers the following troubleshooting suggestions:

• Check the water in the overflow tube 
• Evaluate the lift chain 
• Double check that the “flush handle” is on correctly
• Inspect the flapper 



Most toilet leaks can be fixed by replacing the flapper. They become brittle over time and generally need to be replaced every three to five years. Most home improvement and hardware stores carry universal flappers that will fit a variety of toilet brands and models.

The sound of dripping water is an obvious clue that you have a leak. However, other leaks are more challenging to detect, such as when a leaking pipe is hidden behind the walls of your house. In cases like this, you will need to use your senses in order to find the cause.

Stains on the walls or ceiling are often clues that you have a water leak. When water soaks through the drywall it leaves a stain as it dries. If you spot these marks then you may have a hidden leak. 



Wet, warped, or spongy spots on the floor are also associated with water leaks. Keep in mind that water follows gravity so it’s not uncommon for your feet to find the first clue of a hidden water leak.

Dripping sounds are not the only indication that you might have a leak. You will want to listen carefully for the sound of running water when no water is being used. That’s a sure sign of a leak.

The nose knows. If something doesn't smell right, investigate! If you smell something musty, that's definitely a sign of a water leak.

There’s nothing worse than an undetected water leak in your home. Not only can it be costly, but it can cause quite a lot of damage as well. However, with proper home maintenance coupled with following the tips outlined in this article, you can be on the lookout for leaks and avoid further water damage to your home. The sooner you find and fix a leak, the better it will be for your house and your wallet. 

• https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week
• https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-find-a-water-leak/
• https://alertlabs.com/blogs/news/how-much-water-leaks-cost
• http://www.smarthomewaterguide.org/indoor-visual-leak-inspection