Finding Hidden Water Leaks & Fixing Water Damage
When we consider the destructive power of water, we often picture the churning rapids of an overflowing river or the deadly force of a hurricane’s storm surge. The intensity of a flash flood can cause devastating damage and incur significant costs.
Take, for example, the $1 billion in water damage created when heavy rainfall caused flooding in southern Florida in June 2024. Or when heavy rainfall in Colorado caused a flash flood that damaged more than 20,000 homes, tore down bridges, cracked roads, and cost the state more than $4 billion in property damage and public infrastructure repairs.
Stories and images from natural disasters like this fill our social media feeds. Torn-up roads and flooded basements demonstrate the raw power of water and all the damage it can do. But we rarely see the destructive power of a slow, steady and silent water leak. One hidden behind a wall or tucked in a corner of the basement we never check. Those undetected leaks can cause as much damage to a home or building as any natural disaster. Consider the emotional toll one Memphis, Tenn., family paid when a water leak from the kitchen of their upstairs neighbor caused the floor of their apartment to bow and cave in.
Telltale signs of water damage
Some water leaks demand your attention pretty quickly. Burst pipes. Corroded water heaters. A faulty ice maker supply line on your refrigerator. But other leaks go undetected and are insidious. Pipe corrosion, loose fittings and accidental punctures can cause leaks behind walls that may go unnoticed for weeks, months or longer. Leaks from supply lines, drainpipes, faucets and appliances can be hidden by the cabinets. Toilets are notorious for leaking water around the wax ring under the base, gradually degrading the floor below.
With no way of knowing for sure if there’s water in the walls, under the shower or behind an appliance, there are some telltale signs that call for investigation:
Discolored spots
That off-white circle on your plaster ceiling could be a clue that there’s water leakage — especially if there’s a bathroom right above the area. Warping is an indication that water has caused damage over time.
Musty Odors
Musty odors can reveal undetected water leaks, especially if they are persistent in the bathroom or basement. Moisture buildup produces a moldy aroma that is hard to mistake.
Reduced water pressure
Is the shower pressure a little lower than it used to be? It could be a faulty fixture or clogged plumbing, but undetected plumbing leaks can cause weaker streams as water is diverted elsewhere.
High Water Bill, No Visible Leak
Have you noticed an unexpected increase in your water bill? If you’re not using more water than usual, a bump in your total amount due could be one of the first indications that you have an undetected water leak.
The cost of ignoring a possible water leak
A small stain on the ceiling could indicate water damage to walls and floors — one with a hefty price tag if you aren’t proactive. The most common consequence of a water leak is structural damage.
Undetected water leaks can cause wood rot in your home’s frame, cracked walls and ceilings, and pose a safety hazard if water reaches the electrical system.
In fact, about one in 60 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year, and water damage claims are six times more likely than fire and eight times more likely than theft.
Water infiltration also poses plenty of health risks. Moisture promotes mold and mildew growth, and prolonged exposure to each fungus can cause respiratory issues and exacerbate symptoms — even trigger attacks — in those with asthma. Exposure to toxic black mold, which starts to grow in as little as 12 hours, can cause chronic fatigue, headaches, lung irritation and even memory loss. Standing water promotes bacterial and viral growth, which can cause everything from gastrointestinal infections to Legionnaire’s disease.
Water damage’s emotional toll
Then there’s the emotional toll water damage can create. Anxiety is common among homeowners who first discover what seems to be prolonged water damage and must search for the cause. What will be required to stop the water leak? Tearing down the better portion of a wall? Going through the floor or ceiling? What are the financial ramifications? Will homeowners insurance cover the damage? How long will it take to fix?
Uncertainty about what repairs are needed or the time it will take to make them can disrupt the lives of adults and children alike. Construction sounds and strangers in the house could make working from home impossible or heighten already frayed nerves. If the damage causes multiple structural issues, families might have to leave their homes entirely to stay with relatives or at a hotel while repairs are being made. The mental stress on parents and children can be significant if that process takes weeks or months. Let’s not forget the grief caused when water damage destroys beloved heirlooms and irreplaceable keepsakes. For a homeowner, those could be photo albums and old letters from loved ones. Sharing your feelings with friends or family and self-care can help, but having a plan to mitigate the possibility of damage from an undetected water leak is a much better step to follow.
How to detect water leaks:
The importance of a personalized plan
As the saying goes, you are preparing to fail by failing to prepare, so designing a water leak detection plan should be crucial for every homeowner. A good plan will help you avoid extensive water damage, ensure timely repairs, and even protect the health and safety of your household.
Follow these five steps to build a basic plan. Tailor your plan to your home’s unique plumbing system and architectural design to make it targeted and effective:
Conduct a vulnerability assessment
Explore your home and note all possible leak sources, from plumbing fixtures to water-reliant appliances, especially uncommon ones, like an ice maker or basement freezer. If you can, map your home’s plumbing. Without blueprints, you may be able to do this visually by following water pipe paths in the basement to utilities and appliances upstairs.
Create an inspection calendar
Based on your vulnerability assessment, schedule regular inspections of common leak-prone areas, such as under sinks, around toilets, and near appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. Inspect plumbing fixtures for signs of wear and tear and monitor water usage for any unusual increases in your water bill.
Adhere to a maintenance schedule
Adopt a maintenance schedule for appliances and plumbing. Seasonal maintenance is an easy way to start but consider each manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule for individual appliances. If possible, hire a licensed plumber to identify and address potential issues before they become major problems.
Prepare for an emergency
Even with a great plan, the unexpected could happen. Teach everyone living in your home how to identify potential water leaks and what to do when they happen. Explain how early detection can minimize damage and repair costs, while also ensuring the health and safety of family members, friends and pets.
Seek technology assistance
Use smart water leak detectors that can alert you to the presence of water in high-risk areas. Devices like the Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff can provide real-time notifications of leaks and take immediate action to help prevent them. Combine leak detectors with humidity sensors in areas prone to moisture build-up for added protection. Humidity level increases can also indicate a leak.
How to stop water leakage: Putting your plan into action
Now that you have a plan, it’s time to fortify it. Start by shoring up vulnerabilities and implementing preventative measures. If you discovered any leaks during your initial assessment, fix those before doing anything else. Minor leaks can quickly become major leaks. Consider upgrading old plumbing, too. That means replacing pipes made of clay, cast iron, lead, galvanized metal — even copper — with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) pipes. Beyond material composition, the most significant difference between PVC and PEX is flexibility. PEX, typically used as feed lines for hot and cold water, is flexible, while PVC, used for drain, waste, potable water and other applications, is hard and inflexible.
After evaluating your home’s plumbing, install water leak monitoring devices like the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff. Installed directly on your water line, these smart tools give you the most precise water monitoring possible, along with the power to shut off your water automatically or remotely from your smartphone. If you find a leak, follow your plan. If the leak is under the sink or around the toilet, turn off the accompanying shutoff valves. If you need time to determine where the leak originates from, turn off the main shutoff valve until you can locate, evaluate and fix the problem. Remember, too, that your water monitoring and leak detection plan is a living document. It should change as your circumstances change, adjusting to home modifications like new plumbing, fixtures, and appliances. To keep your plan effective, review and update it annually.
Better protection, better insurance rates
One benefit of having a water monitoring plan and smart water monitors installed in your home is a potential discount from your insurer. Some insurance companies will adjust your homeowner's insurance premium since early detection can prevent a water-damaged house, thus lowering claims. After all, water damage accounts for a quarter of homeowners insurance claims.
The type of leak detection device may matter, as well. You could get a higher discount if you’ve installed water monitors that measure water usage and run routine water leak checks. The ability to shut off water from a mobile device anywhere in the world may also yield a higher discount. Availability varies by state, coverage selections and rating factors, so talk to your insurance agent to learn more.
Lower bills, greener planet
Of the many benefits a water leak detection plan and smart water monitoring system provide — minimized damage, lower repair costs, reduced water bills, better home value, and a healthier living environment — water sustainability is often overlooked. Water sustainability ensures the efficient use and management of water resources to meet current and future needs.
More than that, water sustainability is vital for protecting ecosystems, supporting agriculture and industry, and ensuring access to clean water. It helps mitigate climate impacts, reduce costs and prevent waterborne diseases, contributing to public health efforts across the globe. It also preserves resources for future generations, ensuring their needs are met.
It might seem hard to believe, but early detection of water leaks in your home can bolster water sustainability efforts. Smart water monitoring systems like Moen’s Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff devices can reduce water waste from house leaks by 90% or more annually.
Learning how to treat water as a precious resource encourages future generations to embrace water conservation efforts.
Celebrating success
Perhaps the biggest benefit of a well-executed water leak detection plan is peace of mind. Your home is safe from water damage — everything from peeling paint and ceiling stains to structural damage and the loss of irreplaceable items — and the stress and anxiety that come with it. You can also take pleasure in knowing you are helping your community’s water conservation efforts and maintaining your home’s value over the long run.
Are you ready to build your water leak monitoring plan? Moen is here to help.
