Signs of a Water Leak in Your Villa: What Every Lanzarote Homeowner Should Know

Hidden Leaks in Lanzarote Villas

Water leaks in Lanzarote properties are often invisible for months before causing obvious damage. By the time you see damp patches or mould, significant damage may have already occurred behind walls and under floors.

At Canary Detect, we find that 95% of leaks are hidden—no visible drips, no obvious signs. This guide helps you spot the early warning signs before expensive damage occurs.

The 10 Warning Signs of a Hidden Water Leak

1. Water Meter Spinning When Taps Are Off

The clearest sign of a leak is a spinning meter with all water outlets closed:

1. Turn off all taps, showers, and appliances
2. Check your water meter
3. Look at the small red dial or digital display
4. If it's moving, water is flowing somewhere

Important for Lanzarote: If you have an aljibe (water tank) system, meter behaviour is more complex. Learn about aljibe systems and leak detection →

2. Unexpectedly High Water Bills

Compare your bills over time:

• Sudden spikes without usage changes
• Gradual increase over several months
• Bills much higher than neighbours with similar properties

In Lanzarote, a small hidden leak can waste €200-500 per year in water costs alone.

3. Damp or Discoloured Patches on Walls

Look for:

• Damp patches that appear without rain
• Tide marks or waterlines on walls
• Paint bubbling or peeling
• Wallpaper lifting from walls
• Discolouration (yellow, brown stains)

These signs indicate water travelling behind the wall surface.

4. Musty or Mouldy Smells

Hidden moisture creates distinctive odours:

• Musty, earthy smell (like a damp cellar)
• Mouldy odour in specific rooms
• Smells that get stronger after closing the house

If the smell appears after returning from a trip, moisture has been accumulating.

5. Visible Mould Growth

Mould indicates sustained moisture:

• Black spots in corners or behind furniture
• Green or grey patches on walls
• Mould on textiles (curtains, upholstery)
• Mould reappearing after cleaning

Mould only grows where humidity exceeds 60-70% for extended periods.

6. Warm or Cold Spots on Floors

Temperature anomalies reveal hidden pipes:

• Warm patches indicate hot water pipe leaks
• Cold patches may indicate cold water escaping
• Tiles that feel different temperatures

Walk barefoot on tile floors—you'll notice temperature differences more easily.

7. Sound of Running Water

Listen carefully when the house is quiet:

• Hissing sounds in walls
• Dripping noises behind fixtures
• Running water sounds with taps off

These sounds may be intermittent if connected to the aljibe system.

8. Decreased Water Pressure

A leak reduces system pressure:

• Weak shower flow compared to before
• Slow-filling toilets
• Taps taking longer to run hot
• Pump running more frequently (if you have one)

If pressure dropped suddenly, the leak may be significant.

9. Cracks in Walls or Foundations

Water damage causes structural movement:

• Diagonal cracks from corners of doors/windows
• Cracks following grout lines in tiles
• Foundation cracks near plumbing routes
• Doors/windows sticking that didn't before

Lanzarote's volcanic soil amplifies this—wet soil swells and shifts.

10. Pooling Water Outside

External signs of underground leaks:

• Wet patches on driveway or garden
• Green, lush grass in dry areas
• Erosion or sinkholes near building
• Rising damp on external walls

These indicate water escaping below ground and surfacing.

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Where Leaks Hide in Lanzarote Villas

Bathrooms

Most common leak locations:

• Behind shower trays (failed waterproofing)
• Toilet connections (worn seals)
• Basin pipework (hidden in cabinets)
• Underfloor heating connections (if installed)

Kitchens

Common culprits:

• Dishwasher connections (hidden leaks for months)
• Under-sink pipework (slow drips)
• Fridge water lines (ice makers)
• Waste pipes (cause smell rather than wet patches)

Flat Roofs

Lanzarote's flat roof architecture is vulnerable:

• Waterproofing failure around edges
• Cracks in roof screed from thermal movement
• Blocked drainage causing ponding
• Terrace tile joints allowing water penetration

Underground Pipes

Garden and supply pipes:

• Mains supply between meter and house
• Irrigation system connections
• Pool plumbing (common in Lanzarote)
• Hot water circulating pipes

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What to Do If You Suspect a Leak

Step 1: Monitor Your Meter

Record meter readings morning and evening for a week. Even small changes indicate a leak.

Step 2: Visual Inspection

Check accessible areas:

• Under all sinks
• Around toilet bases
• Behind washing machines
• In utility cupboards

Step 3: Listen Carefully

At night when the house is quiet, listen at walls, especially near bathrooms and kitchens.

Step 4: Get Professional Help

If you find evidence of a leak but can't locate it, you need specialist equipment:

• Acoustic detection to hear leaks through walls
• Thermal imaging to see temperature anomalies
• Tracer gas to find pinhole leaks
• Moisture mapping to trace water paths

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Why DIY Leak Detection Often Fails

Many homeowners spend weeks:

• Opening up walls in wrong locations
• Paying plumbers to "investigate"
• Making the damage worse

95% of leaks cannot be found without specialist equipment. Professional detection costs less than exploratory damage.

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Free Leak Confirmation

Not sure if you have a leak? Our Free Leak Confirmation Test gives you a definitive answer before committing to a full survey.

Get your free leak confirmation →

Contact Canary Detect for professional leak detection across Lanzarote. We serve Arrecife, Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise, Yaiza, and all areas of the island.

Contact us now →