You may have a hidden water leak if you notice damp patches that keep returning, a musty smell, the sound of running water when nothing is on, or a water bill that rises for no clear reason. None of these signs proves there is a leak on its own, but several together are a good reason to look further.
Hidden leaks are often slow, so the signs can build up gradually. Keeping an eye on small changes can help you spot a problem sooner.
Signs Around the Home
Look out for damp or stained patches on walls, ceilings or floors, especially if they grow or come back after drying. Other signs can include peeling paint or wallpaper, mould in one area, flooring that lifts or feels soft, or kitchen units that swell at the base.
These can all have other causes. Condensation, rain getting in from outside and rising damp can look similar to a plumbing leak, so a damp patch does not prove there is a hidden pipe leak.
Sounds and Smells
A hissing, trickling or running sound when all taps and appliances are off may point to water moving somewhere it should not. A persistent musty smell in one room or cupboard can also suggest moisture is building up out of sight.
Sounds can travel along pipes, so the noise may not be coming from the place you hear it.
Your Meter, Bill and Water Flow
If you have a water meter, it can help show whether water is being used when it should not be. Water company guidance, such as from Wessex Water, suggests turning off all taps and water-using appliances, taking a reading, then checking again after 30 minutes to an hour. If the reading has gone up, there may be a leak somewhere.
A higher than usual bill, without a change in how you use water, can also be a sign. A meter that moves does not show where the water is going, though. It could be a running toilet, a tank refilling or a leak on the supply pipe outside.
Weaker flow at taps or a toilet that refills more slowly than before may suggest water is being lost before it reaches them. Low flow can have several causes, including issues with the public supply, so it is not proof of a hidden leak on its own.
When to Have It Investigated
If you have noticed one or more of these signs and cannot find an obvious cause, it is worth having the problem looked into before damage spreads. Our page on leak detection in Poole explains how the source of an uncertain or hidden leak can be narrowed down.
If you think there may be a hidden leak in your Poole home or business, a plumber can talk through what you have noticed and explain the next step.