How to find a water leak inside a wall

Leaks are silent but deadly and cause huge financial and physical damages to your home and interiors. Most residents won’t even realize the water leak until it has already cost them. The most common causes of a water leak inside a wall are from weak plumbing and frozen pipes that burst under pressure during extreme weather. External factors and hard water which can corrode metallic pipes also have the potential to damage your plumbing system and lead to leaking.

If you suspect a leak behind your walls, you can detect it through visible indicators of irregular wet spots, mold build-up, wall discolouration or distortion, and other signifiers such as a foul smell, dripping sounds, or a spike in your water bill. After a quick test with your water meter, if you still do not find plumbing related instances, the leak could be based on other external elements, especially coming from the outdoors. There are a number of ways to find a solution, however, and our plumbers at Plumber To know just the way to do it.

Signs of a water leak

1) Unusual wet spots or puddles of water

One of the most obvious telltale signs of water leaks are wet patches on a wall not under construction, or not due to appliances such as near your washing machine or dishwasher. Be aware that the leaking pipe might not be located right behind the damp spot. Water follows gravity and will travel down the pipe and off the face of the wall. Usually, carpets will be distinctly soaked and floors will always be wet.

2) Mold or mildew in uncommon areas

By Plymouth Ansbergs

Another very common indicator is mold development in areas where they wouldn’t normally be found. Bathrooms and showers, for example, mold more easily because of their damp environments. However, in other non-moist areas, black mold could be growing on and behind the wall. Check to see if black or brown spots start forming, and if you do not see any appearance of mold, they may be forming inside from the dampening area. Though a study in 2017 suggests that mold exposure won’t cause serious health problems, it can cause allergies that can be fatal for people with asthma or compromised immune systems.

3) Discoloration

A leaking pipe will also cause discoloration on drywalls, ceilings, or floors. This will look like a washed-out or a slightly lighter colour on the surface or surrounding areas of the wallpaper, drywall, or even wooden exteriors.

4) Peeling paint or change of texture

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Walls with water leaks will likely start to have a bubble-like texture. This is because the drywall on the other side is wet, and will start to sag downward. Paint or wallpaper will start to chip and twist, and create ripples or bubbles that cause distortion. When the drywall beneath is oversaturated, it will deform because of the weight of the water. This causes an uneven surface of the exterior wall, which will even start to curve.

5) Musty odor

When visible signs of leakage aren’t clear, a strong smell will be another strong signal. Musty, humid smells come as a result of walls that soak in the leak for a long period of time and usually come in addition to other detectable signs on the wall (ie. discolouring). If you have thick drywall and still notice this odor, you may not see any obvious indicators since they can be effective at absorbing and thus prevent water from showing. The smell could also come directly from mold, as it releases gasses that have a distinct musty odor.

6) Sounds of dripping

Hearing a dripping sound come from behind your walls after turning off your faucet can also be a clue for a leaking drain pipe. Listen carefully for a faint dripping noise after you take a shower, flush the toilet, or turn off the sink. Those with newer PVC pipes will have the dripping sounds amplified, in contrast to copper or iron pipes.

7) High water bill

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If you are beginning to find yourself with a larger than average water bill statement without visible signals or an introduction of a new appliance, then you could be experiencing a leak for a while. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a family of 4 should be using no more than 12,000 gallons (45,000 litres) per month in colder weather – in warmer months, water may be used extra on the hose, gardening, and outside watering. This won’t provide the location of your leak, but it will help signify a leak from your unknown extra charges.

How to find out if the cause is defective plumbing

So, you’ve noted the signs of a potential water leak, but now you need to check if it’s due to plumbing related causes. The best way is to check your home’s water meter. Here’s how:

How to test for a plumbing leak:

Water meters are usually located inside the home or in your basement. You’ll need to record two numbers.

How to check a home water meter:

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Your water meter will either have an analog with a sweeping meter and or digital display. For analog, they will be measured in either cubic feet or gallons. On digital, you will need to shine a light on them in order for them to work. The display will switch between the rate of flow (how many gallons per minute) and the meter read (how many cubic feet or gallons used). Record the number.

Then, turn off all your water-using appliances including the dishwasher, sprinklers, and washing machine. Wait for 3 hours before turning them back on. Go back and check the water meter again. If the new number is higher than the first time, you have a leaking pipe in your plumbing.

Other sources

If the number did not increase, you have a hidden leak that can still be fixed. Remove any leaves or debris that are clogging the eave and downspouts of your roof and restore the water flow. Any excess rainwater or melted snow will also have the potential to seep through the roof and leak into the ceiling.

Foundation wall leaks are not associated with plumbing issues. In the right circumstances, water can soak through your wall’s foundation. They will normally crack and leak when water leaks and will start to drain in your basement. You can either dig a trench to surround your foundation or seal its underground area entirely using sealant and/or a protective barrier, or remove the defective studs and drywall while using epoxy to patch the wall up.

What Plumber To can do to help

The best course of action you can take is calling a trusted professional to pinpoint the source and handle it directly. Pipe leaks are considered a plumbing emergency and will cause further property damage if not attended to. Your water pipes are usually located deep within your home’s internal structure and may need to have your drywall cut into to find the leak spot. This process is evasive and will need to go through 10 inches (25 centimetres) into the location – but we have you covered to make it go much faster and smoother. Attempting an uninformed DIY is one of the most harmful things you do to try and fix the situation, and may even make it worse. Though you can buy a utility knife or drywall saw at your local hardware store, it’s recommended to call an expert if you’re unsure.

Our licensed plumbers will test your home’s moisture levels using a moisture meter to scan the walls and inform you where the highest water concentrations are located. Plumbers will also use infrared cameras to detect cold spots along your walls. On their device, areas in blue or purple will appear to be the coldest spots and are usually colder from persistent saturation. We are here to help provide the professional plumbing answers to all your wall leak concerns.

What Plumber To can do to help

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