5 Early Signs of a Hidden Water Leak (And How a Pro Finds It)

At CMM Plumbing—your trusted, local plumbing experts serving Coupland, Austin, and Central Texas—we understand that hidden leaks can silently wreak havoc on your home. With over 20 years of experience, our team is committed to delivering dependable solutions and peace of mind while minimizing disruption.

1. Unexplained Spike in Water Bill

A sudden jump in your water bill, with no change in usage, is often the first clue of a hidden leak. Even a small pinhole leak in a pipe can waste hundreds of gallons of water per month. Before calling us, try this simple test: shut off all taps, appliances, and irrigation systems, and check your water meter. If it continues to move, there’s likely a leak somewhere in your plumbing system.

While higher bills can sometimes be chalked up to seasonal changes or houseguests, a persistent increase with no clear explanation usually points to water escaping undetected. This is one of the most overlooked but costly signs of water leak issues.

2. Musty Odors or Mold Growth

Have you started noticing a musty smell when you walk into certain rooms? Or maybe you’ve spotted dark spots creeping across walls, ceilings, or corners? Mold and mildew love dark, damp environments, making hidden leaks their perfect breeding ground. Mold doesn’t just damage surfaces—it can also affect your indoor air quality and your family’s health. Leaks in walls, under sinks, or behind appliances often go unnoticed until mold begins to spread.

At CMM Plumbing, we help homeowners catch these hidden issues early with moisture detection tools and thorough inspections, minimizing your exposure to costly restoration work.

3. Stained or Warped Walls and Ceilings

Water leaves behind visible signs over time, even if you can’t see the source. Yellow or brown stains, bubbling paint, sagging ceilings, and warped drywall are all clear indicators that moisture is seeping into places it shouldn’t be. This kind of damage is especially common in homes with upstairs bathrooms or old plumbing lines running through the attic. Gravity pulls leaking water downward, causing damage to surfaces on the floors below.

Instead of ripping open walls to search blindly, we use advanced tools like camera inspections and thermal imaging to locate leaks with precision, saving you time, money, and unnecessary damage. These visible changes are often among the most obvious signs of water leak problems in a home.

4. Low Water Pressure Across Multiple Fixtures

If you’ve been dealing with weak flow from showers, sinks, or garden hoses, it might be more than a clogged aerator. Consistently low water pressure throughout your home often points to a leak in the main water line or a corroded pipe somewhere in the system. Leaks reduce pressure as water escapes before it reaches your faucets. In some cases, tree root intrusion, shifting soil, or aging infrastructure may be contributing to the problem.

If your home is older or you’ve recently had freeze damage, don’t wait to get it checked. Quick action now can prevent major repairs later.

5. Wet or Lush Patches in the Yard

Not all leaks happen inside the house. Underground pipes leading to your home or irrigation system can crack or break, especially with temperature changes or soil movement. If you notice:

• Areas of your lawn that are always wet
• Soggy spots or puddles with no rainfall
• Patches of grass that look greener and grow faster than the rest

...you could have a hidden leak under your yard.

Our leak detection services in Coupland, TX, include outdoor inspections using pressure testing and acoustic listening devices to find leaks before they damage your landscape or foundation. Outdoor signs like these are often harder to catch, but remain key signs of water leak activity that require professional attention.

How CMM Plumbing Detects Hidden Leaks

When it comes to locating leaks that you can’t see, experience matters. Our licensed technicians use advanced tools to get accurate results without invasive demolition.

Camera Inspections

Using small waterproof cameras, we inspect the inside of your pipes and sewer lines. This gives us a real-time view of what’s going on inside, including cracks, blockages, corrosion, or root intrusion.

Pressure Testing

We isolate sections of your plumbing and monitor for pressure loss. If the pressure drops in a closed system, we know there’s a leak somewhere in that line.

Thermal Imaging

Leaks often create temperature changes. Thermal cameras detect hot or cold spots behind walls and under floors where water may be accumulating.

Acoustic Listening Devices

These high-tech tools amplify the sound of escaping water, allowing us to hear leaks even through concrete or underground. It's one of the most efficient ways to detect slab leaks.

With our comprehensive approach, we can often find the source of a hidden leak in under two hours, without damaging your home.