Top 7 Hidden Leaks in Riverside Homes (Most Homeowners Miss #3)

hidden leak detection plumber

A hidden leak in your home can go unnoticed for months — even years — quietly wasting water, damaging walls, and causing skyrocketing bills. Here in Riverside, Moreno Valley, Perris, Menifee, and surrounding areas, our team at Davis Plumbing is called out to hundreds of hidden leak jobs each year.

Most homeowners are shocked to learn that the leaks causing the most damage aren’t dramatic pipe bursts…
They’re the small, slow, invisible ones hiding behind walls, under floors, and beneath fixtures.

Here are the top 7 hidden leaks every Riverside homeowner should watch for (and how to spot them early).

1. Toilet Base Leaks (Silent but Expensive)

The wax ring beneath your toilet can loosen over time.
Symptoms include:

  • Soft flooring around the toilet

  • Musty odor

  • Yellow staining around the base

  • Toilet rocking slightly

Left untreated, it can rot the subfloor — a costly repair we see often in older Riverside homes.

2. Slab Leaks Under the Home (Common in Riverside Soil)

Riverside’s hard, shifting soil makes homes especially prone to slab leaks.

Watch for:

  • Warm spots on the floor

  • Water heater running non-stop

  • Sudden spikes in the water bill

  • Low water pressure

Slab leaks require professional leak detection tools — the earlier they’re caught, the less expensive the repair.

3. Leaky Shower Pans (The #1 Hidden Bathroom Leak)

Most homeowners miss this one entirely.

Shower pans crack over time or become poorly sealed, allowing water to seep into:

  • walls

  • the subfloor

  • insulation

You may not notice anything until paint bubbles or a downstairs ceiling starts sagging.

4. Kitchen Sink Cabinet Leaks (The Slow Rotter)

This small, slow drip usually hides:

  • behind cleaning supplies

  • under clutter

  • at the back of the cabinet

Signs include:

  • swollen wood

  • mold smell

  • warped cabinet floor

By the time homeowners notice, the cabinet usually needs replacing.

5. Hidden Pipe Leaks Behind Walls

These leaks don’t make noise.
They don’t drip onto the floor.
They destroy drywall from the inside out.

Symptoms include:

  • paint bubbling

  • discoloration

  • soft drywall

  • mold or mildew smell

  • ants attracted to moisture

This is one of the most common types of damage we discover during inspections.

6. Water Heater Slow Leaks (Quiet but Dangerous)

Many Riverside homes have older water heaters tucked away in garages or closets.
A slow leak from the tank or valves can cause:

  • standing water

  • rusting

  • mold growth

  • sudden tank bursts

A quick inspection can catch this early — especially if your water heater is over 8 years old.

7. Washing Machine Hose Leaks

The weakest link in most homes.
Hoses crack, loosen, and bulge over time.

Look for:

  • water behind or under the washer

  • rust on connections

  • vibration during wash cycles

Burst hoses can cause major flooding — easy to prevent.

How to Know If You Have a Hidden Leak

You might have a hidden leak if:

🚨 Your water bill keeps climbing
🚨 You hear faint hissing behind walls
🚨 Floors feel warm or soft
🚨 You see mold spots or bubbling paint
🚨 Your water pressure drops
🚨 You smell mildew in bathrooms or hallways

Any of these means it’s time to act before small damage becomes expensive damage.

Local Offer: $99 Winter Leak & Drain Check (This Week Only)

Our special service includes:

✔ Full leak inspection
✔ Thermal and moisture scanning
✔ Toilet + faucet leak tests
✔ Water pressure check
✔ Visual inspection under sinks, behind fixtures, and water heater
✔ Written report
✔ Priority access if repairs are needed

Final Thoughts

Hidden leaks can quietly destroy your flooring, walls, and foundation. The good news?
Most of them are easy and inexpensive to fix when caught early.

At Davis Plumbing & Heating, our family-owned team has been serving Riverside County for decades. We know where leaks hide — and how to stop them fast.

📞 Call or text to schedule your service: 951-657-0393