A water leak at home rarely announces itself with a bang. It usually starts as a hidden drip behind a wall, under the floor or in the pipes above a false ceiling, and you only notice when the bill goes up or a stain appears. The sooner you find it, the less you spend on wasted water and repairs.
The good news is that there are clear signs and simple tests you can do without breaking anything. Here is what to check, in order.
The signs of a possible leak
A higher water bill with no explanation. If consumption went up and nobody changed their habits, be suspicious.
Damp patches, bubbling paint or loose wallpaper. Especially on walls next to the bathroom, the kitchen or pipes.
A musty smell or the smell of wet earth. Hidden damp gives off that smell long before a stain shows.
The sound of running water with everything turned off. At night, in the quiet, it is easier to hear.
Lower water pressure. If the water loses strength for no reason, it may be escaping along the way.
Floors that lift or feel warm. Floating floors with gaps or warm spots on the floor can point to a leaking pipe.
The meter test, step by step
It is the most reliable test and takes only a few minutes.
- Turn off all taps and make sure no appliance is using water (washing machines, water heater, irrigation).
- Go to the meter and write down the reading, or take a photo.
- Wait about 30 minutes without using any water.
- Look again. If the number changed, or if the small leak indicator on the meter keeps spinning, water is escaping.
If the meter does not move, the network is watertight. In that case the problem may be something that only uses water from time to time, such as a toilet cistern.
The toilet cistern, suspect number one
A cistern leak can waste a lot of water for days without making a sound. Drop a few drops of food colouring into the tank and do not flush for 15 minutes. If the colour shows up in the bowl, the flush valve is not sealing properly and needs replacing.
What to do as soon as you confirm the leak
Close the main stopcock. It is usually near the meter or at the entrance of the home. If the leak comes from a single appliance, close that appliance's isolation valve.
Be careful with electricity. If water is near sockets, the electrical board or plugged in appliances, do not touch them, and only cut the power at the board if you can do it without stepping in water.
Take photos. They help show the damage to the plumber and to your insurer.
Contact your home insurance. Many policies cover water damage, but expect you to report it quickly.
What not to do
Do not break walls or floors blindly looking for the pipe. Without detection equipment it is easy to open the wrong spot, increase the damage and make the repair more expensive.
Do not cover the stain with paint or filler and carry on either. The damp keeps going behind it, the pipe keeps leaking and the problem returns worse, often with mould.
When to call a plumber
Call a professional if the meter test confirms a leak, if stains keep growing, if the leak is inside a wall or under the floor, or if you cannot work out where the water is coming from.
With leak detection done using proper equipment, the exact point of the problem can be located with minimal work, repairing only what is needed and avoiding opening more than necessary. A plumber can also tell you whether it is a one off repair or whether the pipework is so old that replacing it makes more sense.
Need help?
At HidroLab we give priority to anyone with a leak in Lisbon, Cascais and Estoril, with an on site diagnosis and a no obligation quote. If you suspect a water leak at home, contact us by phone or WhatsApp, or fill in the form on the website. We normally reply within the same business day.