How to find a water leak in your home in common spots

Water leaks can be tricky to identify and expensive to fix. Here are the common signs of water leaks in your bathroom, kitchen, behind walls and underground.

Water leaks can not only cause higher-than-normal water bills, they can lead to expensive home repairs. Water leaks can go undetected for weeks or even months, causing extensive damage that only becomes apparent when water stains, mould, or structural problems appear.

During 2023, RACV Trades responded to 6,377 callouts for burst pipes, illustrating the prevalence of the issue.

“If you think you may have water escaping somewhere on your property it’s important to act quickly. Even small leaks can cause big damage to your home if left for too long,” says RACV Head of Trades Kieran Davies.

“If in doubt a professional plumber can provide a leak detection service to find the cause and recommend corrective action.”

Use this guide to help determine if your house has a water leak and what to do if you discover one.

Unexpectedly high water bills

Unusually high water bills is one of the most common ways households initially suspect they have a water leak. If you have noticed an unusual increase in the cost of your water bills, but your consumption habits haven’t changed, then you may have a leak in your home.

To identify whether you do have a water leak, you can perform a simple water leak test from your meter. Here’s how:

1. Find your water meter. This is typically in an underground box at the front of your home. If you live in an apartment, it can usually be found in your laundry or kitchen cupboard or services cabinet.
2. Take your meter reading. If you have a mechanical dial meter, this should be a series of black and red numbers. Wait 10 minutes. Do not use any water during this time. This includes the toilet, washing machine and any garden watering systems.
3. Take your secondary meter reading. If the meter numbers have increased, then you may have a leak.

Run this test a few times to confirm your results. You can also wait for an hour or so between meter readings to help identify smaller water leaks.

If you have a clock meter, then you won’t have any numbers to read. In this instance, you should stop using any water inside and or outside your home and check to see if your meter wheel is spinning. If so, this means water is flowing through the meter and into your home and you may have a leak.

Other common signs of  a water leak

Even leaks that aren’t large enough to stand out on your water bill can lead to serious damage if left unchecked. Other signs your home might have a water leak include:

Mould

Mould thrives in moist conditions, such as those created by a water leak. Mould isn’t solely caused by leaks - poor ventilation and high humidity are also culprits. However, if you notice mould forming in your home it can be a good idea to rule out any leaks. A musty smell coming from walls or floors can also indicate a water leak.

Wet or dripping pipes or plumbing fixtures

Bathrooms are one of the most common locations for a water leak to occur. Check all accessible pipes and plumbing fixtures if a water leak is suspected. 

A dripping tap or showerhead can be easy to identify, but a leak might also be as subtle as a wet pipe. You can check pipes for leaks by taking a dry piece of tissue or toilet paper and running it along the pipe then inspecting if it’s wet. A leaky toilet can be identified the same way by placing a dry piece of toilet paper around the base of the toilet bowl.

Water stains

Water stains are a common sign that your house has a water leak in your ceiling. These stains can appear suddenly or gradually. Even a small stain can indicate a larger problem, so it’s best to locate the potential source of a water stain as soon as you notice it.

Even if you live in an apartment you should take action if you notice a water stain. While only top floor apartments might have a 'roof', water leaks can still occur in the ceilings of apartments on any level because of issues in adjoining properties. 

How to find a water leak underground or behind a wall

Water leaks that occur underground, behind walls or under floors can be tricky to identify and you may need a professional to locate the leak.

However, some signs of a hidden or concealed water leak include:

Changes to your lawn or garden

Leaky underground pipes might cause patches of your lawn to be unusually soft, muddy or green. They might also cause water to pool in areas or you might find water in your meter box. Leaking irrigation pipes or unexplained cracking in outdoor pavement can also signify a concealed water leak.

Structural damage

If you notice walls or wooden fixtures (such as cupboards and benchtops) in your home warping, crumbling or lifting, a water leak could be the culprit.

Plaster can also sag or curve outwards due to water leaks, while paint can bubble, split, peel or buckle.

Water leaks can also pool under appliances like fridges and dishwashers.

What causes water leaks?

Even the best plumbing, including pipes, flexihoses and fittings, will degrade over time. It's best to replace parts as soon as you first notice signs of deteoration to avoid a leak forming.

Leaks can also be caused damaged, degraded or improperly maintained roofing. This can include cracked tiles and overflowing gutters (it's recomended you clean out your gutters annually).

In apartment complexes or duplexes water leaks may also be caused by neighbouring or overhead apartments. If you can't find the leak in your residence, the cause might stem from another unit.

Blocked drains, poor or unlicensed plumbing work and unregulated water pressure are other common causes of water leaks, therefore renovations are always best carried out by licensed professionals. Unruly tree roots can also cause plumbing leaks in external pipes. 

What do I do if I find a water leak in my home?

After locating the source of the leak the priority is to stem the flow.

You may be able to temporarily halt a leak by turning off any nearby shutoff (or isolation) valves. These are valves located close to plumbing fixtures like sinks and toilets that allow you to turn off the flow of water to that specific appliance without turning off your entire water supply.

If that’s not an option and the leak is large (such as with a burst pipe), you’ll need to turn your water off at the meter. This will cut off water to your entire house but will minimise any potential damage until a plumber arrives. RACV offers 24/7 emergency plumbers every day of the year, with help usually arriving within an hour and no after-hours, weekend or public holiday surcharges.

Depending on the source of the leak and its severity, you may be able to fix it yourself. For example, a dripping tap is sometimes an easy fix but if you’ve any doubt it’s always best to call in a professional. Keep in mind that if you live in an apartment you will likely need to notify your strata corporation to access repairs. 

Once the leak is contained you can begin the clean-up process and assess if any repairs are needed.

Will my insurance cover a water leak?

A water leak or related damage may covered, depending on your individual policy and product disclosure statement.

RACV Home and Contents Insurance can help cover a range of events including damage from water leaks caused by a faulty washing machine or leaking pipe. For more information on the types of events covered, read the Product Disclosure Statement.

Poorly installed appliances or failure to maintain them can impact you if you need to make a claim, so it’s important that any plumbing work is carried out by a licensed professional.