Water is great when it’s in a glass or a shower. It is terrible when it’s soaking into your drywall behind the sofa.
The problem with most leaks is that they are sneaky. By the time you see a puddle on the floor, the damage is already done. But the really dangerous ones are the hidden water leaks—the ones dripping silently behind walls or under floorboards for months.
If you have a sinking feeling that something isn’t right with your plumbing, don’t wait to find out the hard way. Call the experts at PipeDreams Plumbing for a quick inspection.
If you aren’t ready to call a pro just yet, here are the five biggest red flags that suggest you have a leak hiding somewhere in your house.
1. Your Water Bill is Suddenly Huge
This is usually the first clue. If your water usage habits haven’t changed (you didn’t fill a swimming pool or have guests stay for a month), your bill should be roughly the same as it was this time last year.
If you open your bill and get sticker shock, that water is going somewhere. Even a toilet that runs silently can waste hundreds of gallons a month. If the numbers don’t add up, you have a leak.
2. The Water Meter Test
This is the easiest way to confirm a leak without tearing down walls. It’s a simple test you can do right now:
- Turn off all the water in the house (faucets, dishwasher, washing machine).
- Go find your water meter.
- Watch the leak indicator (usually a small triangle or gear).
If everything in the house is off, but that little gear is still moving, water is flowing. That means you have a leak on the supply line.
3. That “Old Basement” Smell
You know that musty, earthy smell? The one that reminds you of a damp forest or an old library? That is almost always mold or mildew.
Mold can’t grow without moisture. If you smell it in a bedroom, living room, or hallway where there are no obvious pipes, you might have a slow leak inside the wall or under the floor.
Don’t try to mask this with air fresheners. If you smell mustiness, moisture is trapped somewhere it shouldn’t be.
4. Walls That Look “Bubbly” or Warped
Drywall and paint don’t like water. When moisture gets behind a wall, the paint will start to bubble or peel, almost like a blister.
Sometimes it’s more subtle.
- Warping: Look at your baseboards or wood floors. If they are starting to cup or bend, water is soaking into them from below.
- Discoloration: Look for faint yellow or brown rings on the ceiling or walls.
If you see a stain, don’t just paint over it. The stain is a symptom; the leak is the disease.
5. You Hear Strange Noises
Houses make noise. Floors creak and the wind blows. But your plumbing should be quiet unless you are actually using it.
If the house is totally silent, but you hear a faint hissing sound behind a wall, or the sound of rushing water when the toilet isn’t flushing, investigate it immediately. “Ghost water” sounds are a classic sign of a pipe that has sprung a leak or a toilet flapper that has failed.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait
Water damage spreads fast. What starts as a drippy pipe can turn into black mold, rotted beams, and a renovation bill that costs thousands of dollars.
If you noticed any of the signs above—especially the high water bill or the damp smell—you need to act now.
Stop the Drip Today
Don’t let a hidden leak ruin your home (and your bank account).
If you suspect water is going where it shouldn’t, get PipeDreams Plumbing on the job. We use advanced leak detection tech to find the problem without tearing your house apart.
Think you have a leak? Contact PipeDreams Plumbing today for a peace-of-mind inspection. Catch it early, fix it fast.