Hidden Leak Signs Every Homeowner Should Know: When to Call a Pro

By admin | November 27, 2025

Hidden leaks can be frustrating to deal with. And if you have one hiding somewhere in your home, you may start seeing an unexpected rise in your water bill, strange smells around your house, uneven floor temperatures, peeling paint, and more.

If you ignore the problem for too long, you'll have to start dealing with damaged walls, floors, and even structural issues that cost way more to fix than the leak itself.

That’s why it’s important to keep an eye out for these signs and call for plumbing contractor services in Reno, NV, right away if something feels off.

But if you're not sure about how to spot a hidden leak, you can give this blog a read! We'll tell you everything you need to know so that you can detect the leak before it starts damaging your plumbing system and your home!

How to Tell You Have a Hidden Leak and When You Should Call a Plumber?

You need to look out for these clues -

1. Your Water Bill Suddenly Spikes

If your water bill suddenly increases, even though you’re using water the same way you always do, it usually signals a hidden leak somewhere in your home.

In this case, you need to check the following -

Toilet running randomly
Dripping faucet
Outdoor spigot
Water heater
Irrigation system

If everything looks normal and the bill still seems high, you need to call a plumbing repair contractor. They'll find the source fast.

2. A Random Musty Odor

Water and moisture can create an “old basement” smell in your home. So, if you’ve cleaned your home top to bottom and still smell something unusual, it’s time for you to look for the cause.

You may have a slow leak inside a wall, ceiling, or floor. These leaks often hide behind -

Bathroom walls
Under kitchen cabinets
Laundry room floors
Behind appliances

If you’re not sure what’s wrong, you can call experienced plumbers for help.

3. You Hear Water Running, But Nothing’s On

This is one of the most common signs you might notice. You could be sitting on the couch, everything in the house is off, but you’ll start hearing a faint “running” or “hissing” sound inside the wall.

And that’s usually a hidden leak! Signs you may hear -

Dripping
Soft hissing
Light tapping
Water flowing behind the drywall

If this happens, you need to contact plumbing contractors in Reno, NV, who can track down the sound using leak-detection equipment.

4. Peeling Paint or Bubbling Walls

This is one of the easiest signs to spot, and it almost always means moisture is hiding behind the surface. You may notice -

Paint is starting to bubble or lift off the wall
Small wrinkles or ripples forming in one area
Soft or damp spots when you touch the surface
Sections of drywall that feel weaker than usual

These changes happen when water pushes from behind the wall, slowly damaging the material. And once it starts, it spreads quickly. If you see this issue early on, you need to call a plumbing contractor before the moisture leads to bigger repairs.

5. Warm or Cold Spots on the Floor

Temperature changes on your floor don’t usually happen by accident. When one spot feels different from the rest, it can be an early sign that something is going on underneath, and you need to call a plumber for inspection and repair. You might notice things like -

A single tile or plank feels warmer than others
A cold patch that doesn’t match the room temperature
Flooring is starting to warp or loosen
A damp or soft spot under your feet

These changes can happen when a pipe under the floor is leaking, especially if it’s part of your hot-water line or located beneath a concrete slab.

6. Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure doesn’t always mean a leak, but it’s a common sign of one, especially if only one area of the house is affected.

If you’re showering and suddenly feel the pressure drop, you may have -

A leaking pipe
A clogged supply line
Corrosion inside the pipes
A failing valve

A pro who handles plumbing repair in Reno, NV, can test the pressure and find out what’s going on.

7. Wet Spots in the Yard

If you stepped outside and noticed a patch of grass that’s greener, softer, or mushier than the rest, then it can usually mean that there is a leak in the main water line.

This happens more often in older neighborhoods where underground pipes are over 30 to 40 years old. To confirm if there's a leak, these are the signs you need to look for -

Constant puddles
Soggy yard with no rain
Grass that grows way faster in one area

If your yard is squishy, it’s not just “extra hydrated.” You need to call a pro for a quick inspection and find out if there’s any leak!

8. Your Fixtures Are Suddenly Rusting

Rust shows up when water leaks in small amounts over time. You might see rust on -

Your sink drain
Toilet bolts
Tub overflow plate
Pipe connections

And this may mean water is escaping somewhere it shouldn’t. This is especially common in homes with older galvanized pipes. A plumbing repair contractor can take a look at your plumbing system to see if there are any leaks and repair them properly.

9. Mold or Mildew That Returns After Cleaning

Mold grows best where there’s moisture. If you clean the area, the mold disappears, and then it comes back in the same spot - that’s a leak problem, not a cleaning problem.

Areas you need to watch closely -

Corners of bathrooms
Behind toilets
Under sinks
Basement walls
Near the washing machines

So, if you have leaks in any of these areas, you need to call professional plumbers for help right away!

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How Plumbers in Reno, NV, Can Help Fix Hidden Leaks?

When you contact a plumbing contractor in Reno, NV, they’ll bring the tools to find hidden leaks quickly and fix them the right way. This is what they’ll do -

Detect leaks using thermal cameras and moisture meters
Inspect pipes, fixtures, and connections for hidden damage
Repair or replace cracked or leaking lines
Prevent future leaks by spotting early issues
Restore proper water pressure and system efficiency

Their quick diagnosis and expert repairs can help you protect your home from costly damage.

Questions You Might Have About Hidden Leaks in Your Home

➢ Should I shut off my water if I suspect a leak?

Yes. If you think there’s an active leak, turning off your main water valve can stop more water from spreading and causing damage. This way, you can stop things from getting worse until a plumber arrives.

Once the water is off, you need to call for plumbing repair in Reno, NV, right away to find and fix the leak safely. When you fix the leak immediately, you won’t have to worry about more damage and expensive repairs.

➢ How can I prevent hidden leaks in my home?

You can prevent most hidden leaks by doing the following -

Checking under sinks regularly
Inspecting your water heater and supply lines
Watching for mold or damp smells
Not ignoring small pressure changes

You can also opt for a yearly plumbing inspection by relying on a plumbing contractor in Reno, NV, especially in older homes. This way, you can protect your plumbing system from major damage and also save time and money on repairs.

➢ Can I use leak-detection apps or gadgets instead of calling a plumber?

You can use leak-detection devices to stay alert about unusual water usage, but they won't be helpful in locating the exact source of a hidden leak. You can use them as an early warning sign and not a full solution.

To fix the issue at the root, you need to rely on a professional plumber who'll use advanced tools to diagnose the problem and repair the plumbing issue once and for all. This way, you can ensure that your plumbing system stays safe and efficient for a long time!

Call Now to Schedule Your Plumbing Service

Takeaway

Household leaks can waste nearly one trillion gallons of water every year! But you can prevent such leaks by detecting early signs, like unusual smells, rising water bills, low temperature changes, peeling paint, and more. And when you notice these signs, you need to call for professional plumbing contractor services in Reno, NV to ensure the leak is found fast and fixed the right way.

Read More:

Easy Rooter Plumbing - We’re Your Trusted Reno Plumbing Experts!

If you want your plumbing problems fixed the right way and without delay, Easy Rooter Plumbing is the name you can trust. Our plumbing repair contractors in Reno, NV, will help you 24/7 with quick and long-term plumbing solutions.

You can trust us without any second thoughts, as we've been providing plumbing services since 1979! Our plumbing contractors can offer you personalized solutions at an affordable rate. Plus, all our technicians are licensed and certified to perform plumbing repairs in Reno, NV.

All you need to do is give us a call at (775) 382-7051, and we'll take care of the rest!

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