How to Find a Water Leak
You’re walking through your home and something feels off. Maybe it’s that odd damp smell near the baseboard. Maybe your bathroom floor is curling up at the edges. Or your water bill shot up, even though you haven’t changed a thing in your routine. These small things make you feel uneasy because deep down, you know something might be wrong and water problems never get better on their own.
You’re not alone in feeling stressed about this. If you’re a homeowner, water leaks feel like hidden enemies. They can grow quietly behind walls, under floors, or up in the attic, and by the time they show up, the damage is already done. Mold, rot, sagging drywall, structural damage, all of that could be building right now without your knowledge.
At A/S General Contracting, we’ve worked with hundreds of families and property owners dealing with this exact issue. Our team specializes in water leak inspection, damage repair, and helping homeowners feel in control again. We also provide free water damage inspection services, so if you suspect a leak, we can take a closer look without pressure or upfront cost.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to find a water leak, including:
- What warning signs to look for
- How to check your home yourself
- What tools professionals use
- What a water leak inspection cost might look like
- How to respond to a water leak after home inspection
- Why our company, A/S General Contracting, is trusted by homeowners across the country
- How to take the next step if you need help
What Is a Water Leak Inspection? (And Why Does It Matter?)
A water leak inspection is a careful check of your plumbing, roof, walls, and foundation to find where water might be getting in. Small drips or stains in places you don’t see can cause big issues over time. When we do a professional inspection, we look for hidden moisture, faulty pipes, loose flashing, or roof damage.
You want to avoid mold, high energy or water bills, warped floors, and structural rot. A professional inspection and sometimes our free roof inspection can stop leaks before they turn into major repairs.
Signs You Might Have a Water Leak at Home
Here’s what to watch for:
- Unusually high water bill: If usage is steady but costs spike, it could signal a leak from pipes, toilets, or irrigation.
- Damp floors, ceilings, or walls: Patches of discolored drywall, peeling paint, or swollen flooring.
- Musty or moldy odors: Especially in closed areas like closets, under sinks, or in the attic.
- Sounds of dripping or running water behind walls or under floors, even when all fixtures are off.
- Cracks or gaps in the foundation or exterior walls, where rainwater could seep in.
- Stains on ceilings or walls, including around light fixtures or HVAC vents.
- Loose roof shingles or flashing around chimneys or vents, which can allow roof leaks during rain.
Spotting these is your cue to dig deeper, contact us for an expert water leak home inspection
How to Do a Simple Home Inspection Water Leak Yourself
1. Check Your Meter
2. Toilet Test
Add a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. Wait half an hour without flushing. If color shows in the bowl, the flapper valve is leaking.
3. Inspect Fixtures & Appliances
Look at pipes under sinks, around your water heater, behind the washing machine. Feel around for dampness, corrosion, or puddles.
4. Examine Roof & Attic
Head into your attic after rain. Check underside of roof sheathing for moisture stains. Look at flashing around chimneys and vents. At A/S General contracting, our free roof inspection lets us check for missing shingles or cracked seals often the source of rooftop leaks.
5. Look at Exterior Walls & Foundation
Walk around your house. Note any cracks in concrete, stains near the ground, vegetation stuck to walls (it can mask moisture). Check gutter downspouts to ensure water is directed away from foundations not pooling at the base.
6. Monitor Indoor Humidity
If rooms feel damp, even without outside humidity this may suggest hidden moisture. Use a hygrometer (readily available online) to measure indoor humidity. A reading above 60% indoors is a red flag for mold growth or leaks.
These simple steps let you catch many leaks without specialized tools.
When to Hire a Professional Water Leak Inspection
If your DIY checks show signs or if you still suspect a leak but can’t locate it professional help pays off. We bring high tech tools and experience:
- Infrared thermal imaging to find moisture behind walls or under floors
- Moisture meters for accurate readings in ceilings, walls, and subfloors
- Pressure testing for plumbing systems
- Roof inspections including gutters, flashing, and attic thoroughly
- Sewer camera inspections in case bacterial or sewage leaks are suspected
How Much Does a Water Leak Inspection Cost?
Here’s what typical inspections cost in the U.S.:
- Basic home inspection water leak (pipes and fixtures only): about $150–$300
- More detailed scan (thermal or moisture meter): usually $300–$500
- Full-service assessment including roof, foundation, attic: can run $500–$1,000+
At A/S General contracting, all our water leak and service inspections are FREE:
- Initial quiz & meter check
- Standard leak inspection: fixed rate, includes plumber, moisture scan
- Infrared or full-home moisture survey: itemized cost, based on square footage
- Roof and exterior inspection: included free when you book a home inspection water leak
- No hidden fees. If repairs are needed, we’ll give a clear estimate before proceeding.
Understanding Water Leak After Home Inspection
A water leak after home inspection can happen if a moving part or defect develops after a seller’s inspection or if minor issues went unnoticed. Here’s what to do:
- If home inspection was recent, refer to repair requests, inspectors often include photos or notes on problem areas.
- In new home purchases, buyer or seller may have binding agreements on damage discovered within a time window.
- If you still suspect issues, schedule an independent water leak inspection before warranties or contingencies expire.
- A/S General contracting can work with real estate inspection reports to uncover hidden post-inspection leaks, especially with our moisture scanning and roof evaluation.
Tools and Techniques Professionals Use
When performing a full inspection, pros will often use:
- Infrared cameras: show cold, damp zones behind walls.
- Moisture meters: numeric humidity readings in materials.
- Leak detection dye or sound amplifiers for hidden pipes.
- Pressure tests: isolate sections of water line to check for drops.
- Sewer inspection cameras: track leaks in underground lines.
- Roof inspection drones or binoculars: scan shingles, flashing, and vents safely.
We combine high-tech detection tools with hands‑on checks under sinks, in attics, around foundations, and inside crawl spaces. That means fewer surprises and faster resolution.
Preventing Water Leaks in the Future
Once the leak is found and fixed, you can take steps to reduce risk later:
- Clean gutters and downspouts at least twice a year, make sure water runs at least 6 feet away from foundations.
- Inspect waterproof seals around tubs, showers, sinks, and toilets periodically.
- Monitor indoor humidity, run exhaust fans when cooking or showering.
- Check roof shingles and flashing after storms.
- Keep trees trimmed away from pipes or siding that could trap moisture.
- Schedule regular inspections, especially before and after rainy seasons.
Ready to Get Your Home Checked?
If you’re seeing signs of a possible water leak, don’t wait for damage to grow. Reach out today to schedule your water leak inspection or claim your free roof inspection. Let us help protect your investment, your peace of mind matters.
Visit our water damage service page or contact us to get started:
A/S General contracting Water Damage Restoration Service
Contact A/S General contracting
Take action now and let us find that leak before it becomes an emergency.
