Visual Leak Inspection: Room-by-Room Checklist

Updated 2025-09-05

Use this checklist to quickly scan each part of your home for signs of water leaks. For exact costs and savings, open the Dripping Faucet Calculator and Running Toilet Calculator.

What to Look For

  • New stains on ceilings or walls, musty odor, or peeling/bubbling paint.
  • Soft drywall, warped baseboards, buckling floors, or damp carpets.
  • Corrosion, mineral deposits, or moisture around valves and joints.
  • Unexplained high usage—confirm with a meter test (see our meter guide).

Kitchen

  • Under sink: check P-trap, supply lines, and shutoff valves for dampness.
  • Dishwasher: inspect door gasket, supply line, and drain connection.
  • Refrigerator: check ice maker line and under-unit pan for water.

Bathroom

  • Vanity: supply lines and drain; look for drips or swelling in wood.
  • Toilet: around base for seepage; tank connections; listen for refills.
  • Tub/Shower: failed caulk or grout, wet drywall around fixtures.

Laundry & Utility Room

  • Washer: supply hoses (bulges, cracks), valve leaks, and drain standpipe.
  • Water heater: base rust, pan water, T&P valve discharge pipe dripping.
  • Water softener/RO: salt tank overflow, tubing leaks, or wet floor.

Around Appliances

  • Dishwasher, fridge, humidifier, and whole-home filters for seepage.
  • Check behind/under units with a flashlight; look for mineral trails.

Basement

  • Foundation walls: damp spots, efflorescence (white residue), or seepage.
  • Floor: puddles near drains or slab cracks; spongy or stained areas.
  • Main shutoff/pressure regulator/water meter (if indoors): look for wet fittings or corrosion.
  • Water heater: inspect base, T&P valve, discharge pipe, and drain pan.
  • HVAC: condensate drain lines for clogs/drips; dehumidifier overflow.
  • Sump pump: check pit water level, float movement, and discharge line.
  • Exposed pipes: wipe with a dry paper towel to detect moisture or sweating.

Walls, Ceilings, and Floors

  • Fresh water stains, sagging drywall, or blistered paint.
  • Above/below bathrooms and kitchens: check for localized dampness.

Outdoors

  • Hose bibs: dripping spouts or wet walls; tighten packing nuts if seeping.
  • Irrigation: wet valve boxes, leaks at backflow preventer, spongy soil.
  • Foundation: water pooling near the house; adjust grading if needed.

Quick Fixes & When to Call a Pro

  • Replace worn supply lines and flappers; recaulk tub/shower seams.
  • Tighten valve packing nuts gently; clear condensate/sump lines.
  • Call a pro for persistent dampness, structural issues, or hidden pipe leaks.

Next steps: confirm usage with our water meter guide, then quantify costs with the Dripping Faucet and Running Toilet calculators.

Open Dripping Faucet CalculatorOpen Running Toilet Calculator