Signs you need leak detection
Hidden leaks hide well. Water follows framing and pipes before it shows, so a stain on a ceiling may be a metre or two from the actual source. Common clues include a water meter that moves when every tap is off, a musty smell in one room, a floor that feels soft near a toilet, or paint bubbling on a wall.
- Unexplained jump on the water bill
- Meter dial turning with no water in use
- Damp drywall, stains or mould spots
- Warm patches on a basement slab, which will point to a hot water line leak
- Sound of trickling water in walls
How we handle leak detection in an Oshawa house
We begin with the simple tests: reading the meter over a set time, isolating fixtures and checking the toilets with dye. From there we narrow down using moisture meters, thermal imaging to spot cool or warm patches, and acoustic listening equipment that picks up the sound of water escaping a pressurized pipe. For drains, we may use a camera or a dye test.
Once the leak is pinpointed, we mark the spot and open only what is needed to make the repair.
Try this before calling: turn off every tap and appliance, note the meter reading, and check again after an hour. If it moved, there is a leak.
What affects the scope
Finished basements and tiled floors take more time than open framing. Leaks in the slab are harder to locate and repair than leaks in a wall. Shower pans and tub surrounds can leak only when in use, so we may need to run water through them for some time. Leaks on the outdoor side of the meter, in the service line, may show up as a soggy patch in the yard.
Before you call
Note when you first noticed the signs and whether they get worse at certain times, such as after showers. Check the meter test above. Photos of stains help. A dripping shower valve can be fixed through shower valve repair; winter damage is covered by frozen pipe thawing. For sewer-side water, see preventing a sewer backup.