How to Spot a Leaking Pipe Early

A slow leak rarely announces itself. By the time you can hear dripping, water has usually been finding its way through plaster, joists, and insulation for weeks. The good news is the early signs are easy to read once you know what to look for.

1. The water meter that won’t sit still

Turn every tap off in the house. Note the reading on your water meter. Wait an hour without using any water. If the reading has moved, you have a leak somewhere on your supply.

2. Damp patches that drift

A leak from a pressurised pipe usually shows up as a damp patch that grows over days, often metres away from the source because water tracks along joists. If a stain reappears after you’ve painted over it, there’s pressure behind it.

3. The boiler that loses pressure

If your combi boiler keeps dropping below 1 bar and you’re topping it up every week, the system has a leak. It might be a radiator valve, but it might also be a pinhole in a copper pipe under the floor.

4. A musty smell with no obvious source

Hidden leaks breed mildew long before they show on the surface. If a cupboard or corner of a room smells off and you can’t find a source, lift the carpet and check skirting boards.

5. Bills creeping up

Water bills don’t usually swing without a reason. A 20% jump month-on-month with no change in usage is a signal worth chasing.

If two or more of these line up, get someone to take a look. Catching a leak in the first week costs a £150 callout. Catching it in the third month costs a new ceiling.