If you live in Westchase and recently noticed water on your garage floor, a soft spot in your carpet, or a spike in your Hillsborough County water bill, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining things. Leak detection in Westchase, Florida, can be tricky, especially in neighborhoods like The Bridges, Radcliffe, Saville Rowe, and Woodbay, where many homes were built with copper piping and have water heaters tucked into garages and laundry rooms.
This case study comes straight from one of those Westchase neighborhoods and shows just how deceptive a leak can be—proving that just because water appears in one area doesn’t mean the leak is there.
It Started With a Puddle in the Garage
The homeowner noticed water pooling on the floor of their garage near the water heater, just behind an aluminum ladder and storage bin. The water looked fresh, but there were no visible signs of damage on the heater itself.
In neighborhoods governed by the Westchase Community Association, where appearance rules are strict and maintenance issues can escalate fast, a mystery puddle like this creates immediate stress. Was it a plumbing failure? Slab leak? Condensation? The homeowner wasn’t sure—but their water bill told a different story.
If you’ve noticed something similar and your usage hasn’t changed, you may be experiencing a high water bill with no visible leak.
Moisture Found—But Not Where You’d Expect
Using infrared technology, Tyler from I Find Leaks scanned the interior wall behind the water heater. The first clue came from behind the dryer in the laundry room—on the opposite side of the garage wall. Moisture was showing up in the wall cavity, and no one had seen it until this moment.
To provide better context, Tyler took another scan showing the back of the dryer, the vent hose, and again, signs of moisture in the wall. This was no ordinary puddle—it was migrating water.
This is why you need professional water leak detection services and not just a quick check by a plumber with a flashlight. We don’t guess—we find.
20 Feet Away… More Evidence
That same water had traveled all the way to the bedroom entrance, where Tyler discovered dampness in the carpet. It wasn’t visible to the eye, but FLIR thermal imaging caught it immediately.
Leaks like this can travel under tile, wood, or even concrete. By the time water shows up, it could be far from the actual source.
In fact, Hillsborough County residents often ask us why their water and sewer bill is spiking when there’s no apparent leak. This is exactly why.
The Subtle Signs a Homeowner Misses
During the investigation, Tyler spotted something even more subtle—a baseboard starting to peel slightly from the wall in a corner of the home with no visible water. The tile looked dry. Nothing smelled damp. But Tyler knew what he was looking at.
He confirmed his suspicion with another infrared scan. The wall was holding moisture several inches high—completely invisible from the outside.
This kind of detection is critical in upscale master-planned communities like Westchase, where repairs need to be minimally invasive and HOA rules (like those enforced by the Westchase Community Association) require timely, professional fixes.
The Break Was Hiding Behind the Dryer
Once the wall behind the laundry area was opened up, the culprit was revealed: a small spray leak from a thin copper pipe, right in the copper manifold. It had likely been leaking slowly over time, soaking into the wall cavity and migrating moisture throughout multiple areas of the home.
In fact, the tile directly in front of the leak looked bone dry—which again proves why homeowners can’t rely on sight alone when chasing water damage.
Stopped Before It Got Worse
Before leaving, Tyler installed a temporary rubber patch and hose clamp over the leak to stop the active spray. He did this at no extra charge to the homeowner—just to ensure the damage wouldn’t get worse while they waited on a plumber to do the final repair.
The plumber later replaced that thin copper section with new pipe, and the homeowner’s issue was resolved—with minimal damage and zero guesswork.
If your Westchase water bill suddenly climbs for no reason, don’t delay. You can view or pay your Hillsborough County water bill here, or better yet—call or text us at 727-409-2815 to get real answers today.
We specialize in slab and underground leak detection for Westchase and all surrounding areas.
Trusted Leak Detection in Westchase
From Radcliffe to Keswick Forest, Sheffield, and The Greens, we’ve helped Westchase homeowners detect and stop leaks before they become disasters. Our non-invasive tools and infrared scans help protect your home, your wallet, and your peace of mind—without unnecessary damage or tear-outs.
If you’re a homeowner in Westchase and suspect a leak, reach out today. We’ll find it—guaranteed.
