How do you check for water behind walls?

Author: Prof. Colby Purdy  |  Last update: Friday, July 11, 2025

A moisture meter is one of the most effective tools for detecting a water leak in a home. This device measures the moisture levels in walls, floors, and ceilings. A normal drywall, concrete, and other materials reading should be less than one percent. Anything higher than that may be a sign of a water leak.

How to detect a water leak behind a wall?

Signs of a water leak inside your wall
  1. Discolored areas – Leaky water pipes inside walls can cause spots of discoloration to appear.
  2. Mold in areas where you didn't expect to find it – Mold in damp areas like bathrooms isn't that surprising. ...
  3. Wet areas – Obviously, a wet wall could mean a leaking pipe.

How to tell if there is moisture behind a wall?

Moisture and water that get behind the wall cause the backside of the drywall to soften and even become mushy. Look for soft spots or wet spots in the drywall and gently press into them. If the drywall depresses, there is most likely water damage. Mold on your walls' surfaces.

How do you find water lines behind walls?

Stud finders equipped with AC detection are indispensable tools for homeowners keen on pinpointing the exact locations of plumbing lines in their walls. The AC detection capability enhances the tool's ability to sense nearby electrical currents, which often run parallel to plumbing routes.

What tool is used to find a water leak behind a wall?

If you locate the telltale sign of a leak, the next step is to use detection tools, such as moisture meters or infrared cameras. Moisture meters can be used to measure the moisture content of the air or building materials, to help pinpoint the location of a leak.

How to Use a Moisture Meter to Detect a Ceiling Leak

How much does a water leak behind a wall cost?

Fixing an exposed pipe in a crawl space or basement is $150 while repairing a leaky pipe inside a wall starts at $150 and can go up to $350 or more. A pipe in the wall behind a kitchen cabinet will cost $500; if the faulty pipe is in a ceiling, it can cost $700 to $2,500.

What device is used to find pipes behind walls?

An electric stud finder detects a ferrous object—a black pipe—in our test wall. Magnetic stud finders are good to use for tasks like hanging pictures and bathroom mirrors. Some electric stud finders also identify metal pipes and electrical wires.

How do I know what's behind my walls?

“A stud finder is a convenient hand-held tool that makes locating studs hidden behind drywall a quick and easy task.” To find a stud, simply power on your device and move it horizontally until it indicates a stud. Mark the stud location in pencil, and keep moving along the wall to find more studs (if necessary).

How do I find a water leak in my block wall?

To find a leak in a brick wall, you should test the masonry bit by bit by spraying it with water. When you see water pouring down the brick, you have your culprit. You can also check for mold and mildew as well as color changes to the brick.

How to locate water lines?

Private utility locators can help you find underground water lines that are buried on a property. This involves specialized equipment. They use both ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic conductivity (EM) devices.

How do you fix moisture behind a wall?

Use fans to move air around the damp walls. Dehumidifiers can help remove moisture from the air, which indirectly removes it from the walls, too. To speed up evaporation, remove molding and baseboards to prevent moisture from entering behind them. Store the molding in a dry, safe place to avoid damaging it.

Is there an app to detect moisture in walls?

The moisture mapping app records wall and concrete floor moisture reading details in all areas, making it easy for users to get the details they need quickly and easily from any mobile device.

How to check for water damage behind drywall?

5 Signs of a Water Leak in Your Wall
  1. Discoloration on Walls. One of the more obvious signs that you may have a water leak in your wall is discoloration or staining on the walls. ...
  2. Peeling Paint or Wallpaper. ...
  3. Musty Odors. ...
  4. Rising Water Bills. ...
  5. Get a Moisture Meter. ...
  6. Use an Infrared Camera. ...
  7. Cut Into Your Drywall.

How to detect moisture behind walls?

How to detect moisture behind walls? Moisture within and behind walls can be detected with a pinless moisture meter. A non-destructive moisture meter can accurately locate and measure elevated moisture levels without the need to break the wall's surface material.

Do plumbers fix leaks behind walls?

Again, plumbing professionals will usually provide their own camera to locate the leak. Once your plumbers find the location of the leak, they'll get to work fixing it. They may need to cut into drywall to repair the issue.

Why is water seeping through my wall when it rains but no leak?

Over time, bricks can crack, and mortar can erode, creating pathways for water to enter. Pay special attention to any visible cracks, gaps, or crumbling mortar. Gutter and Downspout Inspection: Faulty gutters and downspouts can direct water towards the wall instead of away from the property.

How do you check for water leaks behind walls?

How To Find Water Leaks in Walls
  1. Use Your Water Meter. The simplest way to detect a hidden water leak is to double-check your water meter. ...
  2. Get a Moisture Meter. ...
  3. Use an Infrared Camera. ...
  4. Cut Into Your Drywall. ...
  5. Interior Plumbing Issues. ...
  6. Exterior Material Failures.

How to check if water pipe is behind a wall?

CAN A STUD FINDER FIND WATER PIPES? Yes, stud finders are designed to find any obstruction in the wall including the water pipes. You can rely on a new model of a stud finder to help you detect water pipes for use around the house. Stud finders are quite affordable and reliable too when it comes to plumber work.

Who to call for a water leak in a wall?

CONTACT A PLUMBING PROFESSIONAL

Some leaks are easier to repair than others. For tougher jobs, it's important to consult a plumbing professional to ensure that things are fixed correctly, the first time.

What tool is used to check behind walls?

A stud detector is perfect for locating hidden studs behind walls, ensuring secure installation of shelves, TVs, and more. Meanwhile, a moisture meter helps you monitor dampness in materials like wood or concrete, preventing damage and ensuring proper conditions for the building.

What does water behind a wall look like?

Walls that have water leaks behind them are likely to develop a bubble-like texture. Paint or wallpaper will twist and buckle, forming rips or bubble-like shapes as the water distorts their usual texture. Water-logged drywall will appear to sag downward.

How do you tell if mold is growing behind walls?

How to Detect Mold in Walls
  1. Water stains.
  2. Dark rings.
  3. Discoloration.
  4. Deterioration like peeling, bubbling, or cracking of the paint or wallpaper.

How do you check for pipes and wires behind a wall?

To detect pipes or wiring behind drywall, use a stud finder with live wire detection or a multi-function detector.

Is there a stud finder that detects pipes?

Reliability and Consistency: The Jurgen K stud finder uses multi-sensing technology to accurately and quickly find the edges and centers of live AC wires behind metal, studs, joists, pipes, walls, floors and ceilings.

Is the walabot worth it?

Conclusion. If you're serious about your home improvement projects or work professionally in construction, the Walabot DIY 2 is a must-have tool. It provides the level of precision needed to get accurate results without the guesswork.

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