Hidden water leaks reveal themselves through an unexplained rise in your water bill, the sound of running water when everything is off, warm spots on the floor, water stains or musty smells, low pressure, and a moving water meter with all fixtures shut off. In slab-on-grade Las Vegas homes, leaks often hide under the foundation, so the meter test is a reliable first check.
- 1
Your water bill climbs without explanation
A steady rise in your water bill, with no new irrigation, guests, or habits to explain it, is often the first sign of a hidden leak. Even a small continuous drip adds up to hundreds or thousands of gallons over a billing cycle. Compare several months of bills to spot the trend.
- 2
You hear water running with everything off
With all faucets, toilets, and appliances shut off, the house should be silent. If you hear trickling, hissing, or rushing inside a wall or under the floor, water is escaping somewhere. This is especially telling in slab homes, where a line under the concrete can leak without any visible sign above.
- 3
There are warm spots on the floor
A patch of floor that feels warm underfoot, with no obvious source, can mean a hot water line is leaking beneath the slab. These slab leaks are a well-known issue in desert construction because supply lines run through the foundation. A warm spot combined with a higher gas or electric bill strengthens the case.
- 4
You see stains, bubbling paint, or smell must
Water stains on ceilings or walls, peeling or bubbling paint, soft drywall, or a musty odor all point to moisture where it does not belong. In a dry climate, mold and mildew smells are uncommon and signal a persistent leak. Trace the discoloration to find where the water is collecting.
- 5
Water pressure drops across the house
A hidden leak diverts water away from your fixtures, so a house-wide drop in pressure can accompany one. If the pressure loss appears alongside any of the other signs here, a leak becomes more likely than a simple fixture problem. Isolated low pressure at one tap is usually just scale in the aerator.
- 6
The meter moves when no water is used
This is the most reliable do-it-yourself check. Turn off every water-using fixture and appliance, then look at your water meter. If the dial or leak indicator keeps moving, water is flowing somewhere it should not be. A meter that advances during a no-use period is strong evidence of a hidden leak that needs professional detection.
Kingdom Plumbing is a family-owned, licensed Las Vegas plumber (NV NV Contractors License #0085422) serving the valley since 2018. If any of the above sounds like your home, call (702) 213-6112 for a flat-rate quote you approve before any work begins.