How to find a hidden water leak in your home

Hidden leaks waste water, raise your bill and damage buildings quietly. You can run a simple test before calling anyone.

The water meter test

1. Switch off every tap, appliance and irrigation system, and make sure nobody flushes a toilet.
2. Read your water meter and note the numbers, or check whether the small dial or low-flow indicator is turning.
3. Wait 30 to 60 minutes without using any water, then read the meter again.
4. If the reading has increased or the dial is still moving, water is escaping somewhere on your property.

Other signs to look for

• A water bill that is higher than usual without a change in how you use water
• Damp patches, peeling paint or bubbling plaster on walls and ceilings
• A musty smell, mould or warped floors
• The sound of running water when everything is off
• Unusually green or wet patches in the garden or on the driveway

Where leaks usually hide

Toilets that run quietly into the bowl, geysers and their valves, pipes in the ceiling, irrigation and pool lines, and underground supply pipes are the most common sources. If the meter test confirms a leak and you cannot spot it, call us and we will trace it. See leak detection and repair.

Need help now? Call 082 748 7019 or WhatsApp us.