Five signs you have a hidden leak

A hidden leak rarely announces itself. Most of the time it shows up as a slightly higher water bill or a patch of lawn that stays greener than the rest, long before you see any actual water.

The water bill is the first place to look. If it has crept up over a couple of quarters without a change in how your household uses water, it is worth getting checked.

Next, listen for the meter. Turn off every tap and appliance in the house, then check if the small dial on your water meter is still ticking over. If it is moving with everything off, water is going somewhere.

Damp patches on walls, a musty smell in a cupboard, or lifting floor tiles near a bathroom or laundry are also common signs, especially in older homes around the South West where slab and pipe movement can open up small cracks over time.

Finally, keep an eye on your garden. A section that drains slowly or stays soft after dry weather can point to a leak in the line running out to an outdoor tap or irrigation.

If any of this sounds familiar, it is worth getting a proper look before it turns into a bigger repair. We use leak detection gear that finds the problem without digging up the whole yard on a guess.