Last month I got a call from a homeowner in Mountain Brook who'd noticed her water bill had doubled over three months. No visible leaks anywhere. Turns out she had a small leak under her concrete slab that had been running 24/7 for at least four months, wasting thousands of gallons and creating a growing moisture problem under her foundation.
Hidden leaks are frustrating because they're doing damage and wasting money while you have no idea anything's wrong. But they do leave clues—you just need to know what to look for.
Warning Signs of Hidden Leaks
Your Water Bill Keeps Climbing
This is often the first sign. If your water usage has increased significantly but your habits haven't changed—you're not watering the lawn more, nobody's taking longer showers, no guests staying—then water is going somewhere it shouldn't.
In Birmingham, most families use 3,000-7,000 gallons per month. A small leak can waste 10,000+ gallons monthly. That's a noticeable spike on your bill.
Unexplained Wet or Soft Spots
Walk around your house and yard looking for areas that stay damp when they shouldn't:
- Soft spots in your yard, especially along the path of your water line
- Areas of grass that stay greener and grow faster than surrounding grass
- Damp carpet or flooring with no obvious source
- Water stains on ceilings or walls
Musty Smells or Visible Mold
Mold needs moisture. If you're smelling musty odors in areas that should be dry—like inside closets, under sinks, or in certain rooms—there's probably moisture coming from somewhere. Birmingham's humidity makes this even more likely once a leak provides the initial moisture.
Sound of Running Water When Nothing's On
Go around your house when everything is turned off. If you can hear water running through pipes or dripping behind walls, you probably have a leak. This is easier to hear at night when the house is quiet.
Low Water Pressure That Develops Gradually
If your water pressure has slowly decreased over weeks or months, it could mean water is escaping somewhere between the meter and your fixtures. Sudden pressure loss is more likely a different problem, but gradual decline often points to a leak.
The Water Meter Test (Do This First)
Before calling anyone or tearing into walls, do this simple test. It takes 10 minutes and will tell you definitively whether you have a leak somewhere:
- 1
Turn Off All Water in Your House
Make sure nobody flushes toilets, runs faucets, does laundry, or uses any water. Check that your ice maker and any automatic systems are also off. Everything needs to be completely off.
- 2
Locate Your Water Meter
In Birmingham, your water meter is usually in the ground near the street, inside a concrete box with a metal or plastic lid. You might need a screwdriver to pop the lid open. Be careful of spiders—they love meter boxes.
- 3
Look at the Meter
Most meters have a small triangle, star, or wheel that spins when water flows through. With all your water off, this should be completely still.
Write down the numbers showing on the meter. Even better, take a clear photo with your phone.
- 4
Wait Two Hours
Don't use any water during this time. Go watch a movie, go to dinner, whatever. Just don't touch any faucets or flush any toilets.
- 5
Check the Meter Again
If the numbers have changed at all—even slightly—or if that little indicator is spinning, you have a leak somewhere. The water is going somewhere between the meter and your fixtures.
If the numbers are exactly the same and nothing moved, you probably don't have an active leak.
Common Hidden Leak Locations in Birmingham Homes
Under Concrete Slabs
Many Birmingham homes have water lines running under the concrete foundation. When these corrode or shift with the clay soil, they can develop leaks that are impossible to see. Signs include warm spots on floors, the sound of running water under the house, or foundation cracks.
Inside Walls
Supply lines and drain pipes run through walls. Small pinhole leaks or sweating joints can drip for months before you see water damage. By then, the drywall and insulation might be soaked and moldy.
In Crawl Spaces
Most people never go in their crawl space, so leaks here can run for years. Signs include increased humidity in the house, sagging floors, or that distinctive musty smell coming from floor vents.
Underground Between Meter and House
The water line from your meter to your house can leak anywhere along its path. You'll often see a persistently wet area in the yard, extra-green grass in a strip, or hear water running near the meter.
When to Call for Professional Leak Detection
If your water meter test confirms a leak but you can't find it visually, it's time to call in professional leak detection. Here's why DIY searching usually doesn't work:
We use specialized equipment
Professional leak detection uses acoustic sensors, thermal imaging, and sometimes pressure testing to pinpoint leaks without tearing up your entire house. We can often find a leak within inches of its exact location.
Time matters
Every day a hidden leak runs, it causes more damage and wastes more water. Professional detection usually finds leaks in one visit, while trial-and-error searching can take weeks.
We minimize damage
Instead of cutting holes in multiple walls or digging up your entire yard hoping to find the leak, we locate it precisely first. This saves you significant money on repairs.
Think You Have a Hidden Leak?
We offer professional leak detection services throughout Birmingham. We'll find it, explain what's happening, and give you options for repair.