Plumbing · moderate safety risk
Check plumbing for leaks
Catch small drips before they become expensive water damage.
- How often
- Monthly
- Time
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Editorial status
- Awaiting human review
Before you begin
Tools
- Flashlight
- Dry cloth
How to do it
- Look under sinks and around toilets for moisture or staining.
- Inspect visible supply hoses and shutoff valves.
- Check the water heater area and nearby floor.
- Investigate unexplained water-meter movement when fixtures are off.
Stop and get help when
- Active dripping
- Soft or stained materials
- Mold-like growth
- Water near electricity
Call a plumber for an active leak you cannot isolate, sewage, damage inside a wall, or water near electrical equipment.
Sources and review
Written by Upkeeping editorial team. This draft is awaiting human subject-matter and safety review and is not eligible for search indexing.