You don't need to be a plumber to find a water leak around the home – all it takes is a little detective work. Here are our top five tips for finding water leaks at home, and how to fix them once you find them. 

How to Find Water Leaks

Okay, the first question to ask is, do you have a water meter or not? If you've got a water meter, it's easier. But even if you don't, you can still find a water leaky pretty quickly.

Without a Water Meter

Here are four ways to detect leaks without relying on water meter readings. 

1. Inspect the Walls

Your walls can tell you if there's a hidden leak somewhere in the background. Signs to look out for include:

• Damp patches 

• Damaged wallpaper, especially if it's peeling or crinkling 

• Brown, mouldy spots 

• Loose tiles or cracked grout 

2. Check for Smells

Notice a funky smell coming from the bathroom or around the sewage pipes? This could be damp, mould, or leaking sewage. It's a good idea to call a plumber – don't attempt to fix sewage lines on your own. 

3. Look for Floor Problems

If you notice loose floor tiles or broken grout, especially in the kitchen or bathroom, you could be dealing with a leak somewhere nearby. Damp patches on the floor are a key clue, too. 

4. Identify Leaking Parts

This one's really simple. Walk around the house and look for obvious leaks such as drips coming from behind the cistern, or water in the sink even when the taps are turned off. 

Using Your Water Meter

Our final tip relies on using a water meter – here's what you need to know. 

5. Check Your Meter Reading

First, turn off all the taps around the house and take a note of your current water meter reading. Next, simply wait 15 minutes or so and check the reading again. 

• The reading didn't change: Good news, you probably don't have a water leak!

• The reading changed: Even if it's a small change, this suggests you're dealing with a leak somewhere.

How to Fix a Leak

If you're dealing with a pipe leak, don't attempt to repair this alone. Cracked or broken pipes will require a plumber, so contact a qualified professional right away. Don't try to fix heating tanks alone, either.

On the other hand, if it's a minor leak such as a dripping tap, you can change the washer yourself. You can buy washers from the local hardware store – they're easy enough to fit. Just turn the water off, dismantle the fixture, change the washer and put it all back together again.