I have a leak from some internal pipe inside the wall, the wall is getting damp. How do I locate the source?

Question

I have a leak from some internal pipe inside the wall, the wall is getting damp. How do I locate the source?

Answer 1

open the wall that is damp for starters

Answer 2

It's a pain but your going to have to cut the wall open. I would start just under where the wall is the wettest , work out from there. Use a sheetrock hand saw or an exacto knife since there could be electrical wires in the area and cutting blindly into walls isn't a good thing.

You will need to make the hole big enough so you'll be able to locate any water pipes that could be the culprit.

Can you look from a basement or crawl space to locate pipes in the general vicinity? Just remember it may not be a leaking supply line it could be coming from another source like a drain because water can be tricky to locate as it will always take the least resistant path; so a wet spot in the middle of the wall maybe coming from a few feet away and above the mark.    

Answer 3

the wall that's wet is a good start-going to have to make a access hole-from bottom up and look with flashlight-water reflects real good-makes sure its not a leak in pipe squirting upwards

Answer 4

You will have to open up the wall.

It's the only way.

If they are copper pipes that are leaking, you may have electrical current going through them. This can be coming from the ground wire that is connected to the water service. It is a common problem. If you google "copper pin-hole leaks, you will get like 55,000 search results. If you hire an electrician, be sure it is a person familiar with this phenomenon.