Signs of a hidden leak
- The water meter moves when nothing in the house is running.
- A ceiling or wall stain that grows or darkens.
- Warm spots on a floor over a slab-run hot line.
- Musty smells or bubbling paint in one area.
- A bill noticeably higher than the same season last year.
Common sources in local homes
Original copper in older houses can develop pinholes, especially on hot lines. Poly-B fittings may fail without warning. In newer townhouses and condos, push fittings and shower valve bodies behind tile are frequent culprits. A toilet that leaks without a sound shows up only as a fat bill.
How we track it down
- The meter comes first; we isolate fixtures in turn until the area is narrow.
- Supply and drain lines are traced and checked for moisture.
- Moisture readings and thermal checks help find the wet area behind a wall.
- We open the smallest practical access to confirm the leak.
- The failed section is repaired and the meter checked again.
What moves the bill
A leak in an open basement ceiling is quick to find. One inside a tiled shower wall or under a slab takes longer and may involve finishing work after the repair. Multiple pinholes in old copper may point toward repiping rather than spot repairs.
Worth asking
Ask what the source was and whether nearby pipe looks sound. Ask whether insulation or drywall got wet enough to need drying, and keep notes for your insurer.
What callers want to know
Can a running toilet cause a high bill?
Yes. A silent leak from the tank into the bowl tops the list of reasons for a bill nobody can explain.
Will you need to open walls?
Sometimes, but we aim to open as little as possible once the location is narrowed down.