Do you have spaces or rooms in your house that are covered, or you don’t see very often? This is the perfect place for a leak to hide!

Leaks on pipes coming into your house are big and fast. You’ll never miss these.

Leaks on pipes leaving your house are low and slow. You may miss these for months, long after damage has spread.

What to Look For

• Dark spots in the paint
• Wet or damp carpet
• Mold spots
• Bubbling paint/drywall

Spot the Leak

• Check walls shared with or below kitchens and bathrooms
• Inspect unused rooms and closets often, perhaps set a reminder for yourself on a calendar
• Move furniture and boxes to see hidden corners.

Why it Happens

We all hear our houses creak and pop. We can’t feel it, but the ground around us is always shifting, not just during an earthquake! Pipes are weakest where they are connected. This is even more true as pipes age.

If it has been 10, 15 or even more years since you’ve put in your pipes, you need to keep an eye on them.

Who fixes the leak?

• Homeowners: You are responsible for all pipes on your property and inside your house.
• The City: We fix leaks on the main water lines under the street and in public areas.

We hope this tip is helpful for you! The sooner you spot the leak, the lower the cost and smaller the repair.

By Erin Dixon