Quick Tips to Spot Water Leaks Inside A Wall?

Having unidentified leaks in your property can be daunting. The internal wall water leaks can eventually proceed with wall decays which can lead you toward expensive repairs. 

To save your property from any further damage, you can now detect water leaks by yourself. When leaks are left unnoticed, they can also lead to moisture damage, expensive water bills, mold growth, and more. 

We have created a simple guide to help discover leaks in your property. Keep reading and unlock how to find leaks hidden in the walls of your home. Also, apply for a property inspection if you notice any of the signs of leakage mentioned below. 

Signs of Water Leaks in Walls:
The first thing you need to do is spot the common sign of water leaks in your home. Here are a few points you can note while trying to find leaks:

1. Damp and discolored walls
2. Paint fall-off the walls
3. Stained walls
4. Cracks and water stains on walls and ceiling 
5. Water dripping from the ceiling 
6. A musty smell

How To Find Water Leaks in Walls:
If you notice any above-mentioned leakage signs, like paint bubbling on your walls, you could use a few checks to detect the issues. Here are a few checks that you can perform on your property to detect water leaks:

1. Use Your Water Meter:
The easiest way to track your hidden leaks is by rechecking your water meters. This device can be found on your property or in your yard. 

•  Check the water meter and record the number shown on your meter. It's the measurement of water used by your property in gallons. 
• Turn off all the water using appliances and faucets.
• For accurate results, avoid using water in your home for at least 3 hours. 
• After this process, reread the meter. If the numbers are still increasing, there is probably leakage in your property. 

 2. Inspect walls for a change in texture:
There will be a bubble-like texture in the water-exposed area when there is leakage behind the walls. Paint and water will start forming rips and bubble shapes as the water distorts the texture. 

The drywall exposed to moisture will start sliding downward. The formation of small bubbles and dropping sections of paint indicates the presence of moisture. 

3. Musty Smells:
The sense of smell can detect water leaks if the leak isn’t visible to the naked eye. Since the water trapped in the walls won’t be able to dry out, the walls will start leaving an odor. 

4. Check your water bills:
If a significant amount of water loss happens on your property, the water bills will definitely fluctuate. Checking water bills won’t help you locate the issue, but at least you can confirm there is leakage in your property. Further, through the help of professional property inspections, you can easily detect leakages in your property. 

5. Wet Floors:
Wet floors are commonly spotted on kitchen floors, but it's not notable in carpet rooms. If the areas around the carpeting appear darker than other walls, touch the fibers. If the fibers appear wet and damp, there is definitely a leakage behind the wall.

6. Dripping Sounds:
Water running down through the inner surfaces of the walls makes a sound. If you listen carefully, you can spot leaks in your property. After flushing or using your faucets, a noticeable water-dripping sound can help you track down the defective area.

Pro tip:
If the flooring feels warm under your foot, there is definitely a leakage. 
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Conclusion: 
Not all the leaks are highlighted in this article, but you can follow the signs mentioned in the blog and spot the leaks. But after the leaks are spotted, you can book a home inspection or professional support to help you detect the severity of the leakage.

At GTA inspectors, we provide professional and certified inspection services. Connect with us if you have any queries.

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