There are certain sounds in your home that should never be ignored.

One of them is hearing water running when no one is using any water.

Over the years, I’ve answered countless phone calls that start something like this:

“I keep hearing water running, but I can’t find where it’s coming from.”

Or…

“My water bill suddenly doubled, and nothing looks like it’s leaking.”

One of the first things Bear usually asks is:

“Have you looked at your water meter?”

I didn’t always understand why.

Now I do.

Water Doesn’t Just Disappear

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from Bear is that water always has to go somewhere.

If it’s running and you can’t see it…

It’s often because it’s running where you can’t see it.

Sometimes that means:

• Under your home’s concrete slab.
• Beneath your flooring.
• Underground between the water meter and your home.
• Inside a wall.
• Beneath landscaping in your yard.

Just because you can’t see a puddle doesn’t mean there isn’t a leak.

Is It a Slab Leak?

One possibility is a slab leak.

A slab leak occurs when a water line beneath your home’s foundation develops a leak.

Some common signs include:

💧 Hearing water running when everything is turned off.

💧 Warm spots on the floor.

💧 Damp flooring or carpet.

💧 Cracks in flooring or foundation.

💧 An unexplained increase in your water bill.

💧 Your water meter continues to move even though no water is being used.

Not every hidden leak is a slab leak, but they’re one possibility that should be checked promptly.

Could It Be Your Water Service?

Another common source of hidden leaks is your water service line.

If you’ve read some of my previous blogs, you may remember me asking Bear,

“What’s a water service?”

It’s simply the underground pipe that brings fresh water from the city meter to your home.

Because it’s buried underground, a leak may go unnoticed for quite some time.

Instead of seeing water inside your house, you may notice:

• A soggy area in the yard.
• Grass that’s greener in one spot.
• Water pooling near the meter.
• Higher-than-normal water bills.

The Water Meter Doesn’t Lie

One of the easiest ways to check for a hidden leak is to look at your water meter.

Turn off every faucet.

Make sure the washing machine, dishwasher, ice maker, and irrigation system aren’t running.

Then check your water meter.

If the leak indicator is still moving, your home is telling you something.

It’s worth having it checked before a small leak becomes a much larger problem.

Don’t Wait

One thing I’ve learned is that hidden leaks rarely get better on their own.

The sooner they’re found…

The less damage they usually cause.

Whether it’s a slab leak, a leaking water service, or another hidden plumbing issue, finding the source early can save your flooring, walls, foundation, landscaping—and your wallet.

If you hear water running but can’t figure out where it’s coming from, don’t ignore it.

Your home is trying to tell you something.

And we’d be happy to help you figure out what it is.

💙

— The Plumber’s Bride

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