Your water bill has doubled and your consumption hasn't changed? You probably have a silent leak. This guide gives you the nine most common reasons and two free self-tests you can do before calling a technician.
Test it yourself first: Counter test
Before you call anyone, do this test:
- Turn off all taps and water-consuming appliances
- Record the exact water meter reading
- Do not use any water for two hours.
- Record the reading again
Has the reading changed? You have a confirmed leak. Hasn't changed? The problem is in the consumption pattern, not a leak.
The nine most common causes
1. Toilet leak — undisputed number one
The most dangerous is because it's silent. The tank's plug corrodes, causing water to leak into the sink continuously without a sound.
Free test: Place a few drops of food coloring in the toilet bowl and do not flush. Wait 30 minutes. If the color appears in the bowl, the plug is leaking.
2. Underfloor leak
The most dangerous type because it is invisible. Its signs include: a warm spot on the floor, a faint running sound in complete silence, or dampness at the bottom of the wall.
3. Upper tank float
If it malfunctions, the tank will fill up and overflow from the drain opening overnight. Check the surface for any persistent water.
4. A dripping tap
A single drop may seem insignificant, but a tap dripping every second wastes over 100 liters a month. And the fix is often just replacing a gasket.
5. Water heater
The safety valve may leak continuously, especially with high network pressure. Check the pipe coming out of the heater—if it's always wet, that's the problem.
6. Desert water cooler
A faulty radiator float valve wastes significant amounts of fuel in the summer. Note if consumption spikes specifically at the beginning of summer.
7. Irrigation network
A broken irrigation line underground can go unnoticed for months—because the area is already wet. Observe which areas are greener or more saturated.
8. The faulty pump
A pump running continuously indicates a leak in the network or a fault in the pressure switch.
9. High network pressure
Excessive pressure strains pipes and causes multiple micro-leaks. A simple pressure regulator protects your entire network.
What to do — in order
- Meter test (2 hours, free)
- Color test for each toilet seat (half an hour, free)
- Visually inspect the tank, heater, and radiator.
- If the leak remains unknown, request leak detection using a device — 112 riyals ; the technician will pinpoint the location accurately without random demolition.
- After identification, leak repairs start from 100 riyals depending on the case.
If you are traveling, a pre-travel home inspection for 250 riyals will save you from the surprise of a leak that will last for weeks in your absence.
Note for saltwater areas
In Al-Ahsa, Qatif, Hofuf, and Dammam, deposits accumulate inside pipes and valves much faster. Annual preventative inspections can save you from recurring leaks later on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to detect a leak without breaking anything?
Yes. The device's detection accurately pinpoints the location before any excavation — and that's the difference between a localized repair and costly random fracking.
How long does the examination take?
From one to three hours for an average household.
When should I call immediately?
If you see dampness in the walls, cracks in the tiles, or hear water gurgling inside the wall, a persistent leak is weakening the foundations.
Summary
Start with the meter test, then the colorimeter test—these alone will reveal most cases for free. And if the cause isn't apparent, diagnostic testing is much cheaper than breaking something in the wrong place.
Book a leak detection service through Check at a price clearly stated in advance, in more than 80 cities.