While most water leaks are caused by faulty pipes, this problem can also be caused by rainwater seeping into walls or from cracked and leaking foundations. Long-term leaks can cause structural damage to the walls, and cause serious mold problems. You can detect wall leaks by looking for key signs of water damage, including peeling paint or wallpaper, or discolored areas. A musty smell in the room can also indicate a water leak. Determine the exact location of the leak with a water meter or cut the wall.
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Part 1 of 2: Knowing if the Wall is Leaking
Step 1. Look for puddles near the wall
This is the simplest way to find out if there is a leak in the wall. You can make sure water is leaking on the walls if the carpet or floor always feels wet in certain areas of the house.
You may see wet floors near common appliances that use water (such as washing machines, dishwashers) or in bathrooms near sinks, toilets, or showers
Step 2. Find the discoloration on the wall
If the wall leaks, eventually the outer surface of the wall will change color. Look for areas where the wall surface (whether paper, painted, or even wood) has faded or is a lighter color than the surroundings.
The shape of the discoloration is usually irregular
Step 3. Check for texture changes on the wall
Walls that have water leaks usually have a bubble-like texture. The paint or wallpaper will twist and bend causing ripples or bubbles to form as the water changes the texture.
- The waterlogged drywall hangs down. Small bubbles and a descending part can indicate the presence of water on the walls.
- Walls with severe leaks also appear to be curved outward. The wall eventually warps as its weight increases with the water.
Step 4. Watch for mold
If the leak in the wall has been gone for a while, mold can grow inside and outside the wall. At first the mushrooms will look like a solid set of brown or black dots. Although not visible from the outside, mold can grow inside walls that are wet from water.
Mold can cause allergies, and lead to other, more serious health problems. If mold appears to be growing on the wall, remove it immediately and repair the leak in the wall
Step 5. Sniff the musty smell
If the leak in the wall is not visible, you can try to find it by smell. Since the water entering the walls cannot dry, the walls will begin to smell damp and musty.
- A musty odor on the walls is often accompanied by signs of a leak (eg discoloration). However, this is not always the case because sometimes a deep leak in the wall can only be detected by smell without any visual clues.
- Thick drywall walls can effectively absorb water (like a sponge) thereby eliminating any visible signs of leaks.
Step 6. Listen to the dripping sound
Even if the water leak doesn't cause any obvious damage, you can still detect the leak. Pay attention in the first few seconds after you turn off the shower, flush the toilet, or turn off the sink. If you hear a faint dripping sound from the wall, there may be a pipe leak.
The new pipe made of plastic PVC will amplify the dripping sound making it easier to hear. If you have an older house with iron pipes, dripping can be more difficult to hear
Step 7. Monitor your water bill
If the leak is large enough, your water bill will increase dramatically. For example, the household water bill in Indonesia is usually around IDR 200,000. If your water usage spikes suddenly for no apparent reason, there may be a leak.
Of course, this method does not tell the location of the leak, if there is one. However, at least you can confirm whether there is a leak or not
Step 8. Check if the leak is coming from looking for a faulty pipe system
Turn off all taps and devices that use water in the house, and write down the numbers on the water meter. Wait for 3 hours. Check the water meter again; if the number increases, there may be a leak in the house.
If the water meter number does not change after 3 hours, the leak is not from the water pipe. Maybe it's from a leak in the roof or gutters, or it seeps through the basement walls
Step 9. Check for clogged roofs and gutters
If the water leak doesn't come from a pipe, your roof or gutters may be clogged. Excess rain (or melted snow) that cannot be gutted will eventually seep through walls and roofs and cause leaks. If the roof or gutter is clogged, clean the debris there (twigs or leaves) so that the water can flow smoothly again.
Even if you don't notice a leak in the walls, check the roof and gutters every few months to make sure they're not clogged
Step 10. Check for leaks in the foundation walls
If conditions are right, water can seep into the house through the foundation walls. These leaks are rarely caused by defects in the piping system. The foundation walls cracked and leaked as water entered the walls and eventually came out into the basement. Leaks in foundation walls are usually treated in one of two ways:
- Externally, i.e. digging ditches around the foundation and sealing the entire underground portion of the foundation with sealants and guards.
- Internally, i.e. removing damaged posts and drywall and patching cracks using epoxy.
Part 2 of 2: Determining the Location of the Leak
Step 1. Scan the humidity inside the wall using a humidity meter
A humidity meter is a device that analyzes the water content in the wall by attaching it. If you know the leak is on a certain wall, but don't know the exact location, stick the tape measure in 5-6 different places on the wall. The point that gives the highest humidity yield is closest to the leak site.
You can buy or rent a humidity meter at a hardware or hardware store. This tool is commonly used by home inspection professionals to find leaks or wet walls
Step 2. Find the cold and leaky part of the wall using the infrared camera
Infrared camera detects heat and displays wall temperature. Wet and leaky walls have a lower temperature than the surrounding walls. Highlight the leaking wall with an infrared camera, and look for the coldest part of the wall. This is the closest to the location of the wall leak.
- When using an infrared camera, hot objects will appear red or orange, while cold objects will appear blue or purple.
- You can rent an infrared camera from a professional contractor, home improvement center, or photography shop.
Step 3. Cut the drywall to find the source of the leak
Use a utility knife to scrape a 25 cm line into the drywall where water leaks can be seen. Cut a hole in the wall big enough for your head to fit in it. Put your head against the wall, and look around until you find the source of the leak. Enlarge the hole so you can also insert a flashlight for a better look into the wall, if needed.
- Usually, the part of the wall that shows signs of a leak is not exactly in front of the leaking pipe or fitting. Water can seep along the outside of the pipe in the wall or trickle down inside the wall before symptoms are visible from the outside.
- All-purpose knives and drywall saws can be purchased at hardware stores.
