Some leaks announce themselves with a puddle. Others stay quiet for months, soaking into subfloors, feeding mould behind finished basement walls or quietly pushing up your water bill. In Markham, hidden leaks are common in two very different settings: older homes where decades-old copper and galvanized lines have thinned, and newer subdivisions where a single loose fitting behind a drywalled wall can go unnoticed for a long time.
Our leak detection service is about finding the source with as little disruption as possible. Instead of opening walls on a guess, we use a methodical process of isolation, pressure testing and inspection to narrow down where water is escaping before we cut anything.
Leak Detection Around Markham
Many Markham homes have finished basements with drywall, laminate and carpet laid over the concrete, and those finishes hide water very well. A small drip from a supply fitting behind a basement bathroom wall can soak the bottom plate and insulation for a long time before a stain appears. By the time you notice a smell or a soft spot in the floor, it has usually been going on for a while.
Two-storey homes have a different pattern. Leaks from upstairs ensuites and laundry rooms tend to show on the ceiling below, often in the kitchen or family room. In condos around Markham Centre and Highway 7, water can travel along concrete slabs and appear some distance from where it started. Knowing these patterns helps us search in the right places first.
Once the leak is found and fixed, we'll let you know if the area needs drying before walls are closed up, so moisture isn't trapped behind new drywall.
Signs You Need Leak Detection
You may have a hidden leak if you notice any of the following:
- A water bill that keeps climbing. Higher usage without a change in habits often means water is escaping somewhere.
- The water meter moves when nothing is on. Turn off every tap and appliance and watch the meter. If it moves, water is leaving the system.
- Damp spots, stains or bubbling paint. Look on ceilings under bathrooms and on basement walls near plumbing runs.
- Musty smells. A persistent odour in a closet, vanity or basement room can point to slow, hidden moisture.
- Warm patches on the floor. A warm spot on tile can indicate a hot water line leaking beneath it.
- Sound of running water. Hearing water when everything is off is a strong sign something is leaking.
How We Do It
- 1
Discuss the symptoms
We start by asking what you've noticed, when it began and where, which often narrows the search quickly.
- 2
Meter and isolation test
We check the meter and shut off sections of the system to determine whether the leak is on the hot side, cold side, a fixture or a drain.
- 3
Pressure testing
Supply lines are tested for pressure loss so we know whether the leak is under pressure or only when water drains.
- 4
Targeted inspection
We inspect fixtures, fittings and accessible piping, and use moisture readings to pinpoint the wet area.
- 5
Open only what's needed
When access is required, we make the smallest practical opening at the most likely source.
- 6
Repair and confirm
We fix the leak, retest the system and confirm the meter stays still.
Why Choose Markham Plumbing
Guessing at leaks is expensive. Every unnecessary hole in a finished wall is more repair work for you. We take a patient, step-by-step approach so you only pay to open and fix what actually needs it, and we explain what we found and why it happened.
- Methodical testing first
- Minimal openings
- Clear explanation of the cause
- Retested before we leave
Leak Detection FAQs
How can I check for a leak myself?
Turn off all fixtures and appliances, note the reading on your water meter and check again after an hour or two without using water. Any change suggests a leak. You can also add food colouring to a toilet tank to see if it seeps into the bowl.
Will you have to open my walls?
Not always. Many leaks turn out to be at fixtures, valves or accessible fittings. When a wall must be opened, we keep the opening as small as possible.
Can a leaking toilet really raise my water bill?
Yes. A worn flapper or fill valve can let water run constantly and silently, which adds up over a billing period.
Do you find leaks in condos?
Yes. Condo leaks near Markham Centre often involve shared walls or ceilings, so we can help identify whether the source is in your unit.
What causes hidden leaks in newer homes?
Loose compression fittings, nail or screw punctures from renovations and failing connections at appliances and fixtures are common causes.