The most expensive leaks are the ones you never see — behind a wall, under the slab, in the ceiling. They waste water and cause damage for months. Here's how to catch one early.
The 9 signs
- A water bill that jumped without a change in habits
- The sound of running water when everything's off
- Musty smells in a room, closet, or cabinet
- Stains or discoloration on walls or ceilings
- Peeling paint or bubbling drywall
- Warm spots on the floor (hot-water slab leak)
- Mold or mildew showing up where it never did
- Low water pressure that appeared out of nowhere
- An ever-damp patch of yard or foundation
The 15-minute meter test
Turn off every water-using fixture and appliance in the house. Find your water meter and note the reading (or watch the small leak-indicator dial). Wait 15–30 minutes without using any water, then check again. If it moved, water is escaping somewhere.
Why fast matters
Beyond the wasted water, hidden moisture invites mold and rots framing and subfloor. A leak that's cheap to fix today gets expensive the longer it hides. Modern leak detection lets us find the exact spot without opening up half your house.
If the meter test moved — or two of these signs sound familiar — give K2 a call. Finding it early is the whole game.