Leak detection

Hidden leaks are one of the most common calls on the plumbing side of the business. Technicians often find that the repair a homeowner is worried about began as a small warning: moisture, inconsistent pressure, or a jump in water use. Catching it early is how you avoid a larger repair later.

Signs worth a closer look

• A musty smell or humidity inside a sink cabinet
• Green corrosion on copper near a shutoff valve
• A water bill that rose without a change in how you use water
• Faucets that sputter, or pressure that drops when nothing else is running
• Brown or yellow stains, soft drywall, or a sagging ceiling
• Warped flooring, loose tile, or paint bubbling along a baseboard

Where leaks tend to hide

On leak calls, the first places to check are behind shower and tub valves, under sink cabinets, at laundry supply lines, around irrigation valves, on attic air-handler drains, and at water heater connections. Ice-maker lines, dishwashers, and washing-machine hoses fail too. Older rubber hoses are a frequent culprit; braided stainless lines are the usual upgrade when those are replaced.

You can do two checks before you call. Turn off every water-using appliance and watch the meter — if it keeps moving, water is leaving the system. Then look under sinks and behind toilets for dampness or staining. Hidden leaks still usually need moisture meters or diagnostic dye to pinpoint the source.

Why it matters more in a seasonal home

A leak you would notice in a day can run for weeks in a house that is empty from summer through fall, or closed up during hurricane season. If you are leaving a Marco Island, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, or Naples house unoccupied, a leak check is a practical part of shutting the water down and walking the fixtures.