RALEIGH GUIDE
Finding and describing a leak
A stain under a Boylan Heights bathroom and a warm stripe in a North Raleigh slab are both leaks. The notes you take are not the same.
Check the meter with everything off
With fixtures closed, see whether the meter is still moving. A small leak indicator that turns while the house is quiet suggests water leaving on your side of the meter. Meter styles differ; follow the instructions from your utility rather than forcing a lid. Write down what you saw instead of diagnosing the pipe.
Crawlspace drip versus slab clue
In many older Raleigh houses you can see supply lines from the crawlspace, but you should not crawl into standing water or sewage to prove it. Note a drip, wet insulation, or a musty corner and leave the access closed. On a slab, a warm spot in the floor, a hiss you cannot place, or unexplained meter movement is the clue. Say which foundation you have. Whole-house pressure loss is a different clue, covered in low water pressure. If the stain has been growing for weeks, read how policies usually sort sudden and slow leaks before you describe it as an emergency.
Summer stains that are not supply lines
Humid months hide a common mix-up: the air-conditioner condensate line blocks, the float pan overflows, and a ceiling or closet gets wet while every faucet works. Mention whether the cooling system was on and whether the stain grew on hot afternoons. A plumber or an HVAC tech may both be relevant; describing the timing helps the first person you call.
Photos before anyone cuts drywall
Take a wide photo of the room and a close photo of the stain or drip. Do not open a wall to find the pipe. If the house is in a flood of active water, skip the photo shoot and shut the main off if you can do it safely. Use the first-hour checklist when water is spreading.
Sources (checked October 5, 2026)
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Write it down first
The notes tool turns what you saw into a short summary you can read on the phone.
Write my service notesQuestions people ask
How do I use the meter without breaking the lid?
Follow the utility's own instructions for your meter style. With fixtures closed, note whether a leak indicator still moves. Write down what you saw. Do not force a stuck lid.
What does a slab leak look like compared with a crawlspace drip?
On a slab you may get a warm spot, a hiss you cannot place, or meter movement with no visible drip. In a crawlspace you may see a drip or wet insulation. Do not crawl into standing water or sewage to prove it.
Can summer humidity wet a ceiling with no faucet running?
Yes. A blocked air-conditioner condensate line can overflow on hot afternoons. Mention whether the cooling system was running. The first trade you need may not be plumbing.
Should I cut the drywall to find the pipe?
No. Take a wide photo and a close photo. Opening the wall can turn a small stain into a bigger repair, and it is unsafe if you do not know what is behind it.