Leaks
Signs of Hidden Water Damage in Your Home
Updated · Copperline editorial
Clues on walls and ceilings
- Yellow or brown stains, even faint ones
- Paint bubbling or peeling
- Drywall that feels soft or crumbles at the bottom
- Baseboards swelling or pulling away
Clues on floors
Other clues
A musty or earthy smell in one area, the sound of running water with fixtures off, or a water meter that moves when nothing is running. To test the meter, turn everything off, note the reading, and check again an hour later.
Confirming it
Restoration technicians use moisture meters and thermal cameras to map wet areas without opening walls, then open only what's needed. A slab leak is confirmed by a leak-detection plumber.
How professionals find it
Restoration technicians use pin and pinless moisture meters, and often thermal imaging cameras, to map where moisture has spread behind walls and under floors. The map shows exactly which materials must be removed or dried, so repairs stay as small as possible.
Signs of Hidden Water Damage in Your Home: follow-up questions
Can a thermal camera see water behind walls?
It shows temperature differences that often indicate moisture, but readings must be confirmed with a moisture meter.
Why is my water bill higher with no visible leak?
A hidden leak, such as a slab leak or a running toilet, is a common cause. Turn off all fixtures and check whether the meter still moves.
Every home differs; editorial standards.