Signs to look for
- Water stains, bubbling paint or soft drywall on walls or ceilings
- Warped or cupping floors, or loose tiles
- A musty smell or mold in one area
- A warm spot on a slab floor, which can point to a hot-water line leak
- The sound of water running when every fixture is off
- Unusually green or soggy patches in the yard
Use the meter
With all water off, watch the meter’s leak indicator or take a reading an hour apart. Movement confirms a leak somewhere between the meter and the fixtures. Closing the house shutoff and checking again tells you whether the leak is inside the house or in the line outside.
Why hidden leaks matter
A small, steady leak inside a wall or under a floor can cause rot, mold and structural damage long before it shows. The earlier it is found, the smaller the repair.
When professional help makes sense
If the meter says water is moving and you cannot see where, leak detection uses acoustic equipment, pressure testing and thermal imaging to find the source before anything is opened up.