How to Find a Water Leak Inside a Wall

Do you think there could be a water leak inside your wall? This problem is more common than you may think. Often, the leak is so small that you don’t start to notice signs until considerable damage is done. There are ways to catch a leak early, but you have to be vigilant. Understanding the signs of a water leak and how plumbers locate them are the best way to stay on top of things. If you are in need of plumbing leak repair in Highland Village, call Strittmatter Plumbing, Heating and AC at 940-246-2075.Continue reading to learn how to find a water leak inside a wall. 

Signs of a Water Leak Inside a Wall

Detecting a water leak inside of a wall is not hopeless – there are many signs that can lead you in the right direction. Sometimes these can happen in isolated incidents, so be sure to check for more than one sign. Call a plumber for leak repair if you do notice more than one sign. 

Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew flourish in wet, dark and warm conditions. The inside of your walls are the perfect place for bacteria to grow. While you won’t be able to immediately tell if there is mold or mildew growth, eventually it will start to spread. If you begin to see dark patches on the wall that smell musty, you probably have a leak inside of your walls. 

Discoloration and Warping

Discoloration of the walls is a sure sign that there’s something wrong. The walls may become dark or yellowed from the water. Warping may also be evident in addition to the discoloration. Sometimes, wall leaks will drip down to the floor. This can cause sideboards and floorboards to become warped. If you do notice discoloration on the walls – look closely. Do you notice any warping or bubbling on the floor? What about a musty smell? Discoloration is an easy-to-notice sign that can lead you to other evidence that there’s a water leak in the walls. 

Dripping Sounds

If you walk or stand next to your wall and start to hear dripping sounds, you probably have a leak. Larger leaks are more likely to drip audibly than smaller leaks. This means that if you do hear dripping, the leak is larger. Be sure to listen carefully to the dripping and note how frequent each drop is. The more drops you hear, the more water you’re losing. 

Spike in Water Bill

This is a telltale sign that you are losing water somewhere in your home. Unfortunately, since you get your water bill every month, it is the least proactive way to determine you have a leak. By the time you receive your water bill and notice the spike, the leak may have existed for quite some time. The other problem with relying on your water bill to tell you if you have a leak is that it gives no information about where the leak may be. For all you know, the leak is coming from your toilet plumbing, not the pipes in your wall. While a spike in your water bill is a great way to confirm any signs you’ve noticed, it shouldn’t be the only thing that you look for. 

Wet Areas

This is an easy way to tell that there’s a leak. Find a wet spot and you can pretty much confirm that you have a leak. The wet spot may occur on the wall itself, and could result in water damage or mold growth, or it may occur on the floor close to the wall. If you have wood floorboards, the floor may not be wet, but it may be warped. Carpeting and tile, on the other hand, will have noticeable moisture. 

Musty Smell

Sometimes you can smell mold and mildew before you can see it. Smelling any damp, discolored or warped spots on the walls and floors is a great way to determine if mold is present. Mold and mildew can have negative effects on health, so be sure to call for leak repair as soon as you notice this combined with other signs. 

How Plumbers Locate Leaks

Once you call a professional plumber for service, they will attempt to locate the leak. Here are some ways they may do this:

• Use a moisture meter to look for the parts of the wall with the most accumulated moisture.
• Use an infrared camera to locate any hot or cold spots that could be signs of a leak. A hot spot will mean that your hot water pipe has a leak. 
• Sometimes, if the first two methods do not work, plumbers have to cut open the wall to find the leak. This is a last resort for many plumbers. They will often try the first few methods multiple times before they attempt this one. 

It’s easier for plumbers to detect the source of a leak if you can give them an idea of where you think it is. 

What Plumbers Do to Repair Leaks Inside Walls

If it’s a minor leak, the plumber will put a patch over the hole. This is not a permanent fix, but could still last for a long time if the pipes themselves are in good shape. If the leak is too big, the plumbers will have to replace sections of the piping. Often, the plumber will have to cut a hole in the wall to access the pipe. Every leak calls for a different solution, so be sure to call a licensed plumber for an assessment. 

Plumbing Leak Repair in Highland Village, TX

For quality leak repair that you can count on, call Strittmatter Plumbing, Heating and AC. Our team of licensed plumbers are ready to lend a hand. From leaks to clogged toilets, we’ve seen it all. Be sure to contact us as soon as you notice a leak in your home. To get in touch with our team, give us a call at 940-246-2075 or contact us online.