Published: 2024-05-05
Start with the water meter
Turn off fixtures and water-using appliances, then watch the meter. Continued movement may indicate hidden usage. Irrigation, pool equipment and automatic appliances should be considered before concluding there is a house leak.
Clues inside the home
Look for damp baseboards, swollen flooring, peeling paint, ceiling stains, mildew odor, running-water sounds, hot spots on flooring and reduced pressure. One symptom alone is not proof, but several together justify testing.
Slab leak warning signs
A slab leak may show up as unexplained meter movement, warm flooring, damp carpet, foundation-adjacent moisture or water sounds with fixtures off. The location should be narrowed with testing before opening finished surfaces.
When professional detection pays
If the meter indicates usage but no fixture leak is visible, non-destructive diagnostics can save time and unnecessary demolition. The repair approach can then be based on pipe location and condition.
When to call for help
If water is actively damaging the property, sewage is entering the home, a water heater is leaking uncontrollably, or you cannot isolate a major leak, call for service. For gas odor, leave the area and contact the gas utility or emergency services from a safe location.
For non-urgent work, describe the symptom, property type and Richardson ZIP code so the service provider can plan the right diagnostic tools and parts.