Most leaks do not announce themselves with a burst pipe. They start small, behind a wall or under a floor, and are only noticed when the paint bubbles or the neighbour downstairs complains. Catching one early can save thousands of dirhams in repairs.
Try the water meter test
Turn off every tap and appliance, then note the reading on your water meter. Check again after an hour. If the number has moved, water is escaping somewhere.
Look for stains and bubbling paint
Yellow-brown patches on ceilings, peeling paint or swollen skirting boards usually mean moisture is coming through from behind.
Trust your nose
A persistent damp or musty smell in a cupboard, bathroom or under the sink often appears before any visible sign.
Check under sinks and behind the toilet
Run your hand along the flexible hoses and trap. These connections are the most common source of slow leaks and are easy to inspect.
Listen when the house is quiet
A faint hissing or dripping sound when no water is being used is worth investigating.
Watch your bill
An unexplained jump in your water bill, with no change in how you live, is one of the clearest signs of a hidden leak.
