If you have leaking taps or pipes in your home, you need to know about it. Water leaks can cause damp, structural damage and cost you hundreds of pounds in water bills. So it’s important to fix them as soon as you can.
However, a lot of the time it can be hard to tell if you have leaking taps or pipes in your home. This is because it might be a very small leak or it’s hidden behind a fitting or wall. To help you detect any plumbing problems, we’ve come up with 6 signs of leaking taps or pipes in your home.
1. Damaged wallpaper or paint
Has your wallpaper or paint started to peel or become blotchy or bubbly? If you do, this could indicate that you have damp walls possibly caused by a water leak. To prevent this damage from escalating, call in a plumber as soon as you can.
2. Mildew and mould growth
Mildew and mould grow best in damp conditions. Even just a very small amount of moisture is enough to encourage it to develop. So if you notice any new mildew or mould in your home, there must be water coming from somewhere – and this could be leaking taps or pipes.
3. High water bills
A water bill that’s just slightly higher than normal isn’t likely to be a sign of a water leak; you’ve probably just used a bit more than normal. But if your water bill has got significantly higher for no apparent reason, it could be a sign of a leaking taps or pipes. To avoid escalating bills and damage to your home, speak to a plumber and ask them to take a look.

4. Cracked ceilings or walls
Water can be very heavy in large amounts. If you have cracked ceilings or walls, this could be a sign of leaking water mounting up and damaging your home. Structural damage is extremely hazardous and needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
5. Warped flooring
Flooring can warp if it’s exposed to and absorbs too much moisture. So warped flooring could indicate that you have leaking taps or pipes. You should investigate as soon as you can to stop the problem getting worse.
6. The sound of running water
Sometimes you can’t see a water leak but you can hear it. The sound of water dripping or running is a common sign of a water leak. Never ignore the sound of dripping water if you don’t know where it’s coming from – it might be damaging your home and costing you money.
So there are plenty of signs of leaking taps or pipes in your home. If you think you have a leak and need professional help, click ‘Start my project’ and complete our online form. We’ll find you up to 4 plumbers in your area.
Cost
Approx. £50 - £70
To fix a leaky tap
Cost
Approx. £80 - £130
To fix a burst water pipe
Time to complete
1 hour
To fix a leaky tap
Time to complete
1-2 hours
To fix a burst water pipe