Rhino Rooter

When a frozen pipe bursts or a drain backs up, you know something's wrong right away. You quickly identify the source, pinpoint the problem and take care of repairs. When a slow leak starts inside your home's walls, it doesn't attract attention, but it does leave solid clues. If you know how to detect water leakage in walls, you can minimize potentially serious damage.

Be on the lookout for these 10 signs of water leaks behind your drywall. 1. PERSISTENT MUSTY ODORS As the water slowly drips from a leaky pipe inside the wall, flooring and sheetrock stay damp and develop an odor similar to wet cardboard. It generates a musty smell that can help you find hidden leaks.

2. MOLD IN UNUSUAL AREAS Mold usually grows in wet areas like kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms. If you spot the stuff on walls or baseboards in other rooms of the house, it's a good indicator of undetected water leaks. 3. STAINS THAT GROW When mold thrives around a leaky pipe, it sometimes takes hold on the inside surface of the affected wall.