In our last blog, we covered the ins and outs of detecting hidden water leaks in your rental property, and closed it out highlighting the importance of being proactive to prevent the leaks. Hidden water leaks prevention becomes even more prevalent because, as the name says, they’re hidden and remain unnoticed until there’s damage that’s impossible to ignore. For landlords, this means covering an expensive repair, unhappy tenants, and disruptions to your property’s value and finances that are 100% avoidable. So, without further ado, we’ll discuss the preventive steps you can take to avoid hidden leaks and catch them before it’s too late.
Hidden Water Leaks Prevention Tips Every Landlord Should Take
1 – Regular Plumbing Inspections
Besides including plumbing checking in your checklist when you do the regular, general inspection yourself every 6 months, investing in a professional plumbing inspection to get an in-depth assessment it’s a good idea. How often you’ll need to schedule a professional checking will depend on your property’s features. We recommend a professional inspection every 6 months if:
- You own an older property;
- The property has in-slab plumbing (the pipes are beneath the home’s concrete slab); or,
- There have been leaks in the past.
These types of properties are more prone to hidden issues developing behind walls or under flooring and require extra attention. On the other hand, if the unit is newer, has above-floor plumbing, or hasn’t experienced previous leaks, an annual professional inspection will be enough.
During these inspections, plumbers will check the entire plumbing system, including pipes, shut-off valves, fixtures, water heaters, and pressure regulators. They will look for corrosion, loose connections, mineral buildup, fluctuations in water pressure, and any unusual moisture patterns.
Licensed plumbers also have the know-how to perform pressure tests to detect smaller drops and use more advanced, no-digging-required tools like acoustic listening devices, video inspections, tracer gas, and thermal imaging cameras. Paying for a thorough inspection not only identifies unnoticed leaks but also ensures the plumbing system is operating well, helping you stay ahead of major, more expensive problems and extend the lifespan of the property’s infrastructure.
2 – Monitor Water Pressure
Keeping a close eye on water pressure it’s a simple, but very effective way to prevent hidden leaks. Excessive pressure will put constant strain on the plumbing system, causing pipes, joints, and fixtures to wear out more quickly. Over time, the pressure can also lead to small cracks or loose connections, especially behind the walls, under the floors or the ceiling, all places where leaks can go unnoticed for months.
To be sure the pressure stays at the ideal range of 40–60 psi for residential piping, installing a pressure regulator, also known as a pressure-reducing valve, will help keep a consistent and safe pressure level throughout the entire property. This device automatically adjusts incoming water pressure from the main supply that can reach levels as high as 200 psi, preventing the spikes that stress plumbing components.
Another easy-to-use option is to use a pressure gauge to check the system when doing inspections: Turn off all water-using fixtures, attach the gauge to a laundry tub faucet or an outdoor faucet, which are usually the closest to the main water line and give the most accurate reading. Then, open the faucet all the way, and the gauge will instantly show the water pressure inside the entire plumbing system.
To be sure the pressure is adequate, you can make a second reading with someone briefly running water. While it’s normal to have a lower pressure reading when water is in motion, large drops or big spikes may indicate hidden plumbing issues.
3 – Install Smart Leak Detection Devices
Smart leak detection technology uses sensors to monitor water flow and moisture, sending alerts to your phone via Wi-Fi when a leak is detected, and more advanced systems can also shut off the main water supply. Furthermore, the more sophisticated one has extra features to monitor temperature, humidity or pressure.
Placing smart detectors in high-risk areas such as under the sinks, near the water heater, behind the washing machine, beside the dishwasher, and around HVAC condensate lines will help you address leaks in their earliest stages and give you the peace of mind that the property is protected 24/7. The prices of these sensors vary depending on their features, but there are options for all budgets. You can check a list of the best ones here.
4 – Seal and Insulate Pipes
Ensuring all the water pipes are properly sealed and insulated during inspections is essential to prevent leaks, but also to increase the system’s efficiency and longevity. When pipes are left exposed to the cold, humidity, or contact with unsealed openings, they become more vulnerable to cracking, condensation, and corrosion, all issues that begin out of sight and can lead to hidden leaks.
If your property’s pipes need an insulation and sealing boost, and you are up for a DIY project, here are some resources that may be helpful:
5 – Pay Attention to the Exterior
Hidden leaks don’t always start indoors. Issues with the exterior plumbing and drainage can also create moisture problems that eventually affect the interior. Water leaking from exterior pipes or excess water from clogged drainage will pool around the foundation or seep into walls, where the damage can remain undetected until it becomes visible and serious.
Gutters and downspouts’ standard cleaning frequency is at least twice a year: In the late spring to remove leftover winter debris, pollen, seeds and blossoms, and in the fall to clear out excess leaves before the freezing temperatures. But you should consider adjusting the frequency if your property checks one or more of these features:
- It’s Older or Has a Flat Roof: These may require quarterly cleanings, since flat roofs don’t pour out water as efficiently as pitched roofs, so even a small amount of debris can block the drainage and cause water to pool and increase the risk of leaks, as well as accelerates roof membrane deterioration, and the excess water can also seep into ceilings or walls without immediate visible signs.
- It’s located in a High-Debris Area: If the home has large trees directly over or beside the roof or pine trees (they shed needles year-round), you should clean three to four times a year.
- It’s Vacant or a Short-Term Rental: If the property is empty for an extended period, clean the gutters before and after the vacancy, on top of the seasonal cleanings, to prevent unnoticed blockages.
Exterior leak prevention isn’t complete without checking the property’s grading: The slope of the ground around the home ensures the rain flows away from the foundation. Negative soil slopes, where the slope directs water toward the house, cause the water to pool near the foundation, increasing the risks of hidden leaks and other issues like moisture intrusion or cracks.
Generally speaking, you should make minor adjustments, adding small amounts of fill dirt every two to three years, and inspect the slope at least once a year, preferably after winter. The freeze–thaw cycle causes soil movement that can change the soil’s position around the house. Heavy rain and storms can also change grading, so you should ask your tenants to walk around the property after a major rain event to see if there are alterations like pooling water, soil expansion or erosion, as heavy rain can wash soil away from the foundation, creating low spots where water can accumulate.
Lastly, if your property has lawn and landscaping, you should check the irrigation system. In-ground sprinklers that have underground pipe cracks, a drippy connection, faulty timers that make the system run for too long or broken valves can saturate the soil and create moisture problems, eventually causing foundation issues or water intrusion onto the home if left unattended.
Excess water can also ruin your landscaping by killing your plants and creating uneven and discoloured patches in the lawn. Make sure sprinkler heads are properly aligned, drip lines are intact, and timers are set to appropriate watering schedules. If you suspect an irrigation system leak, here’s a quick tutorial to help you find it:
Proactivity Protects Your Property
Hidden water leaks are silent, but their consequences on your rental property certainly are not. The good news is that you can save yourself from many headaches and expensive, disruptive repairs with the right combination of routine maintenance, technology, and early detection strategies to fit the property’s needs. By applying the preventative steps we discussed here, you can protect your investment, protect its value, and ensure a safe, comfortable home for your tenants.
