How to detect a water leak at home: signs and what to do

A water leak is not always visible. Water is often lost inside a wall, under the floor or in the toilet cistern without anyone noticing, and the first sign is a higher bill than usual. Finding it early saves water, money and damage to your home.

Signs that you may have a leak

• Your consumption rises for no reason: the bill is higher even though you use water as usual.
• The meter moves with everything turned off: this is the clearest sign (see below how to check it).
• Damp patches on walls, ceilings or floors, bubbling paint or loose tiles.
• A musty or mouldy smell in cupboards, bathrooms or the kitchen.
• The cistern makes noise or refills by itself every so often.
• Areas of the garden that are always waterlogged or greener than the rest.
• Pressure drops in taps and showers for no apparent reason.

How to check with your water meter

It is a simple test you can do yourself:

1. Turn off all taps and make sure no appliance that uses water is running (washing machine, dishwasher, automatic irrigation).
2. Write down the meter reading or take a photo of it.
3. Wait one to two hours without using any water.
4. Check the meter again. If the reading has changed, water is being lost somewhere in the installation.

If your meter has a small wheel or star indicator, you can also watch it: with everything turned off it should be completely still.

The cistern trick

Cisterns are one of the most common leaks and one of the hardest to notice. Add a few drops of food colouring to the tank, do not flush, and wait about 15 minutes. If the colour appears in the toilet bowl, the cistern is leaking and the mechanism should be checked.

What to do if you find a leak

• If the leak is significant, turn off the main stopcock of the property to avoid damage.
• Call a trusted plumber to locate and repair it. Leaks inside the property, after the meter, are part of the owner’s installation.
• If you suspect the leak is in the supply connection or before the meter, or you see water coming out in the street, let us know so we can check it.
• If you have home insurance, check whether it covers locating and repairing leaks.

Need help?

If you have any questions about your consumption or your meter, contact us on +34 952 78 74 53 or through our contact page. You can also check your details in the customer area.