10 Places to Check for Water Leaks Inside Your Home

Looking for leaky pipes can save money and headaches down the road. Image Beige Alert.

Water leaks can cause extensive damage to your home. Leaks that occur behind a wall can cause drywall to grow mold, and it can cause wooden frames to rot. These leaks can cause your bills to rise, and they are bad for all water conservation efforts.

The best way to prevent these leaks from becoming a problem is to know where to look for them. The following suggestions represent some of the most common places that you will find a water leak inside of your home.

1 – Behind the Toilet:

Your toilet is one of the most used appliances in your home. You should make it a habit to routinely check behind the toilet to see if there are any leaks. Check the pipes that lead from the wall to your toilet. Is there condensation? Does the wall look or feel wet? Are there puddles near your base board? Are there any signs of mold or mildew in this area? All of these are signs of a leaky pipe.

2 – Under the Sink:

Look under your bathroom and kitchen sinks for any signs of leaking. Again, check to see if the walls are dry, look for puddles of water in the cabinetry under your basins. Check to see if any of the pipes connecting to the sink or wall have condensation.

3 – Ice Maker:

If your refrigerator has an automatic water dispenser or ice maker, there is always a chance for a leak. When you move your fridge out to clean behind it, make sure that you check this area for any signs of water damage or mold.

4 – Water Heater:

Your water heater is another appliance that is used continually on a daily basis. It is important to check the water heater on a monthly basis to look for signs of wear or leakage. If you have water that has a high mineral content, it is very important to keep checking your water heater for leaks. The minerals can quickly cause damage to these units and their pipes.

5 – Washing Machine:

Your washer uses the most water in your home besides the shower. Check behind your washer periodically for signs of leaks or wet spots in the walls. Keep an eye out for mold and mildew build up around this area.

6 – Showers and Tubs:

It is much harder to detect leaks in these areas because they are often surrounded by tile. Look for puddles of water or low water pressure in these areas. They could be a sign of a leak.

7 – Outside Spigots:

An outside spigot should be routinely checked for leaks because they are subjected to weather extremes. Look for wet walls, mildew and puddles around these areas. Another indicator that your outdoor spigot has a broken pipes is wet spots on the inside walls opposite the area where the faucet is located.

8 – Wet Ceilings:

If your ceiling becomes wet, and it is not from a leaky roof, there is a good possibility that you have a broken pipe within your walls. In many cases, however, the leak is very small and hard to detect. Watch the seams of your ceiling and walls for discoloration and wet spots.

9 – Low Water Pressure:

If your water pressure just does not seem to be as hard as it was when you first moved into your home, there is a good possibility that you have a leak. This type of leak will be harder to detect if it is located in a wall that is not directly attached to a water outlet.

10 – High Water Bills:

If your water bill significantly increases, and there is not a problem with your meter, there is a great chance that you have a water leak somewhere in your home. If this is the case, you will need to seek the help of a professional to correct the problem. Leak Masters can assist you with finding outdoor underground pipe leaks that could be costing you money.