The routine, in order
- Read the meter. Turn off all water use and note the meter reading. Give it an hour or two, then check the dial a second time. Any change suggests a leak.
- Check toilets. Add food colouring to every tank and wait fifteen minutes without flushing.
- Look at ceilings and walls. Watch for stains, bubbling paint or sagging, especially below bathrooms.
- Check under sinks. Feel the pipes and the cabinet floor for dampness.
- Inspect the water heater. Look for water around the base or rust on fittings.
- Smell for mustiness. Persistent odour in one area often points to moisture.
- Feel floors. Unusual warmth on a basement floor can signal a hot water leak below.
Why this matters in Pickering
Pickering homes span many decades, from 1950s bungalows with ageing copper to new Seaton builds with PEX fittings that are still settling. Finished basements, which are common here, hide pipes behind drywall. A small leak can run for months before it shows. Metered billing through Durham Region means any steady leak also costs money every billing period.
Phone us when the meter creeps with everything off, if stains are growing, or if you cannot find the source of moisture.
Slips worth avoiding
- Painting over a water stain without finding the cause.
- Ignoring a bill that rises with no change in habits.
- Assuming dampness in the basement is always groundwater.
- Letting a leak grow before anyone investigates.
Time to ring a plumber
Phone us when the meter creeps with everything off, if stains are growing, or if you cannot find the source of moisture. A plumber can isolate sections of piping, use moisture and thermal tools and inspect drains with a camera. Finding the leak precisely keeps repair openings small and limits damage to finished areas.
Less obvious places to look
Check the shut-off valves under sinks and behind toilets; packing nuts weep slowly. Look at the humidifier on the furnace and the drain line from an air conditioner. Inspect washing machine hoses for bulges, and replace rubber ones with braided hoses. In the attic or upper floors, watch for staining near bathroom exhaust fans, which can be condensation rather than a pipe. If renovation work is part of your fix, our note on permits in Pickering explains when one is needed. And if new gas appliances are on your list, see gas line installation, since gas lines are tested and inspected differently from water lines.
Keeping a simple record
Write down the date, the location and a short description whenever you notice something odd: a damp spot, a sound in the wall, a cabinet that smells. Patterns jump out over a few weeks. That record also gives a plumber a head start, and it can support an insurance claim if damage turns out to be covered.
Questions callers ask
Can a leak show up on my bill before I see it?
Yes. Steady leaks such as running toilets often show on the bill first.
Is a little moisture under the sink a problem?
It should be checked. Small drips can damage cabinets and lead to mould.