Not every leak announces itself. The loud ones, such as a burst pipe or a gushing hose, send you running for the shutoff. The quiet ones are worse, because they can run behind walls, under floors or above ceilings for weeks before you notice a stain.
The good news is that a few simple checks find most of them. This guide walks through the checks in order, from the quick ones you can do tonight to the ones that need a plumber.
Start with the water meter
The meter is the most reliable test in a house. Turn off every faucet, appliance and fixture, and make sure no one is running water. Then look at the meter dial or the small leak indicator.
- Find the meter box near the street or the main shutoff.
- Open the lid and read the dial or note the leak indicator.
- Make sure all water use in the house has stopped.
- Wait fifteen minutes and read it again.
- If the dial moved or the indicator spins, water is flowing somewhere.
Hillsborough County Public Utilities serves drinking water around Valrico, and its call center is (813) 307-1000. If you cannot find the meter or you suspect a problem on the utility side, they can help.
Check your water bill
A sudden jump in the bill with no change in habits is a clue. Compare this month to the same month last year, since summer use is higher. A jump of a large percentage deserves a closer look.
Walk the house for signs
Ceilings and walls
Stains, bubbling paint and soft spots point to water above or behind.
Floors
Cupped boards, loose tile and warm spots can mean a leak under the floor.
Cabinets
Dark or swollen cabinet bases suggest a sink or dishwasher leak.
Smell
A musty odor in a closed room often means damp materials.
Check the usual suspects
- Under sinks and around supply line connections.
- Behind the toilet and at the wax ring.
- Dishwasher, refrigerator and washing machine hoses.
- The water heater and its relief valve.
- Air conditioner drain pans and condensate lines.
- Outdoor spigots, irrigation valves and pool equipment.
Slow toilet leaks can be found with a few drops of dye in the tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, the flapper is leaking.
When the leak is under the slab
Many Florida homes sit on concrete slabs. A leak in a line under the slab can raise your bill and warm a patch of floor without any visible water. A plumber can use listening gear and pressure tests to find it. See slab leak water damage for how we dry the damage.
Bring in the right people
| Situation | Who to call first |
|---|---|
| Meter moves with everything off | Plumber to find the leak. |
| Stain on a ceiling or wall | Restoration company with moisture meters, then plumber or roofer. |
| Standing water or soaked flooring | Restoration company for extraction and drying. |
| Water on the utility side of the meter | The utility. |
| Suspected pipe burst in a wall | Shut off the main and call a plumber and a restoration company. |
We find moisture and dry it. A plumber repairs the pipe.
If water has already soaked into walls or floors, a structural drying plan prevents long-term damage. See burst pipe water damage if a line has failed.
A simple log that helps your plumber
Write down the meter reading with the date and time, then again after a quiet period such as overnight. Note which rooms feel damp or warm and when the smell started. A plumber can find a leak faster with a short log, and a restoration company can map moisture to the same notes.
Write down anything unusual, such as a toilet that runs on its own or a water bill that jumped without a change in habits.
According to the published ANSI/IICRC S500 water damage standard, the speed and method of drying decide how much of a structure can be saved, which is why this guide stresses acting early.
Local note on the county water system
Hillsborough County Water Resources serves drinking water and wastewater for unincorporated Hillsborough County and runs a Septic and Low Pressure Sewer Conversion Initiative. Homeowners in Durant and Dover may fall under the county system, so confirm who provides service at your address before you decide whom to call about a meter problem.
Hidden leak questions Valrico homeowners ask
How much water can a hidden leak waste?
It depends on the size of the leak and how long it runs. Even a small drip adds up over weeks, and the damage to walls and floors often costs more than the water.
Can I find a leak with just my phone?
Some phone cameras show nothing, but a moisture meter or a thermal camera attachment can help. A professional with proper equipment gives the clearest map.
Why is one spot on my floor warm?
A hot water line under the slab may be leaking. A plumber can confirm with a pressure test or listening gear.
Who do I call if the meter is moving but I see no water?
A plumber can find the leak. If walls or floors are already wet, call a restoration company too.
Who runs water service in my part of Valrico?
Hillsborough County Public Utilities serves unincorporated areas around Valrico, and the call center is (813) 307-1000. Confirm with the county if you are unsure.