How To Find a Pipe Leak in the Wall in Winnipeg, MB?

Water damage is no joke. If left undetected, a single leaking pipe can flood entire rooms of your house.

The damage from these leaks can also be challenging to spot at first. That’s why a little diligence upfront can save you some expensive repairs later. Knowing how to find a pipe leak in the wall is one of those vital unspoken skills for homeownership -— similar to finding a stud or blowing out your sprinklers. 

Not all water leaks are created equal, either. Some are obvious from the get-go, while others require a bit more detective work to find. A water leak is a water leak, though, and you’ll want to call experienced plumbers in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for repair if you ever suspect you’ve seen one.

Keep the following steps in mind when searching for water leaks. 

Know the Signs of a Water Leak

If an exposed pipe breaks, you usually know right away. However, pipes that break inside the wall might not be immediately apparent and can require wall pipe leak detection methods. Finding a wall pipe leak early is vital to minimize the long-term damage it can cause. In most cases, your best bet in how to find a pipe leak in the wall is going to be looking for evidence of damage.

Once you’ve found potential evidence of a water leak, it’s essential to identify its specific location.

Common Signs of a Wall Water Leak in Winnipeg, MB

A few signs that may indicate a pipe leak in the wall include:

• Paint or wallpaper peeling off. Water leaks can also cause the wall texture to peel, warp, or bubble. 
• Discoloration or stains. Large splotchy stains or patches are another telltale sign of water in your walls or ceilings.
• Warped or buckled walls. If a wall is starting to lean, bend, or rest at an angle, it’s a sign that there’s water impacting the foundation behind it. 
• Pooling water or damp carpet. This is another urgent sign that a pipe has leaked long enough to cause water damage. 
• A scent of must, mould, or mildew. The ‘three Ms’ are all bad news, especially if you can smell them. Follow your nose to find the source of the leak.

If you suspect a leak but can’t find it, don’t hesitate to call the professionals. Your plumber can help you identify hidden pipe leaks and track down all the damage they cause. 

Check Common Leak Locations

When it comes time for detecting wall pipe leaks, remember that not all rooms in your house are equally likely to experience leaks. Areas with heavy plumbing fixtures and rooms outside the home will be your prime suspects when locating hidden pipe leaks in the wall.

Pay attention to any loose water, especially if it appears to be flowing in from somewhere. To that end, these are the places we suggest checking first if there’s loose water around:

• High-use plumbing fixtures, such as showers, tubs, and hoses. 
• Cabinets and other mounting areas around your bathroom and kitchen sinks. 
• Exterior-facing walls, especially if there has been cold weather recently.
• Basement pipe clusters can also be susceptible to cold temperatures.
• Gutters and storm drains can cause water to leak into the other parts of the home if clogged or improperly sealed. 
• Finally, check crawl spaces for signs of moisture, too.

Remember that you’re not just looking for water; you’re looking for its source, too. Depending on the circumstances of the leak, water can travel deceptively far from a burst pipe. If you’re reasonably sure there’s a leak but still can’t find the source, hire a plumber, and they can do the rest. 

Useful Things to Keep in Mind

These tips can also help you identify leaks:

• Use your ears! Dripping, hissing, or gurgling sounds can all signify pooling water.
• Keep pets away from pooling water, as it might contain industrial solvents or harmful bacteria.
• Be careful placing towels down to absorb excess water, as they can get mouldy if left unattended.
• After plugging a leak, watch any damaged areas for a week to ensure that you’ve caught ALL of the issues.
• Ventilate any leaky rooms to prevent that mildew smell from hanging around. 
• These issues won’t go away on their own, so it’s a good idea to get proactive if you think there might be a leak somewhere.

When in Doubt, Check Your Meter(s)

A hidden leak in your walls will continue to drip water even if your faucets are turned off. You can actually use this to confirm the presence of hidden leaks by using your home’s water meter. 

First, record the number shown on your home’s water meter. If you suspect a leak somewhere in your walls, turn off your faucets and any other active connections that use water. Then, rest the meter for 2-3 hours before rechecking it. If the number displayed on the water meter has gone up, you likely have a leak somewhere.

Beyond your water meter, you can also use a special tool called a moisture meter, which contractors and plumbers use to check the moisture levels in building materials. Usually, drywall, concrete, and other masonry will show less than one-percent water level. Any higher is a good indication of a hidden leak. 

A moisture meter can also help when water pools away from the actual leak site. If the meter shows patches of wet masonry surrounded by dry spots, you're likely on your way to identifying a hidden pipe leak. 

Call the #1 Plumbers in Winnipeg, MB

Once you’ve found a leak, leaving it to the professionals is a good idea. As tempting as it can be to DIY patch your pipes, fixing them is a different game than just locating pipe leaks in the wall. 

That’s where we come in. 

King’s Services is your go-to plumbing expert in Winnipeg, Headingley, and the surrounding areas. We know how to find a pipe leak in the wall and are experts at fixing it!

Contact us online or call 204-633-9010 to hire a plumber in Winnipeg, MB, today!