Water Damage First editorial team
Key facts: Signs of a Hidden Leak
- Your water meter can reveal a leak.
- Slow leaks can mean mold.[1]
- Thermal cameras and meters find what you cannot see.
The meter test
- 1
Turn everything off
No faucets, appliances or irrigation.
- 2
Note the meter
Check the reading or flow indicator.
- 3
Wait
About an hour without use.
- 4
Compare
Any change suggests a leak.
Room by room
- Kitchen: under the sink and behind the fridge
- Bathrooms: around toilets and tubs
- Laundry: supply hoses
- Ceilings: below bathrooms
When to call a professional
If the meter test suggests a leak, or if a stain is growing, it's time for a plumber and possibly a moisture check. Thermal cameras can show cool, damp patches behind walls without opening them. The sooner it is found, the less material you will need to replace, and the easier it is to keep mold out.
Smells and sounds
A musty smell in one room, especially a closet or under a sink, often means moisture is close by. Listen at quiet times for a faint hiss in a wall or a running sound with everything off. Floors that have started to feel soft, or tiles that have come loose, are also worth a closer look.