Some water leaks give an audible announcement of their existence, such as a dripping faucet or a toilet that doesn't stop running after a flush. Homeowners usually try to stop these leaks as soon as possible to keep their water bills from needlessly going up. While this is a good step to take, you may overlook areas where leaks are more subtle.

Hidden leaks which are not fixed will not only run up your water bill, but may also leave you with a major repair bill. J.T. Gonzales, writing for Angie's List, says signs of a hidden leak include stains on the ceiling, bubbling wallpaper or paint, warping walls or ceilings, or a noticeable odor. Water will take the path of least resistance, and the culprit for the damage is often located nearby.

The easiest way to determine if you have a hidden leak is to check your water meter. Pippin Brothers Home Services, a company based in Lawton, Oklahoma, recommends shutting off your water and checking the reading on your water meter. If it has moved after a few hours, something in your home is leaking.

If you determine that you have a leak, try to get it fixed as soon as possible. Doing so may save you the headache of a higher utility bill and prevent significant structural damage to your home.

Sinks

While drips from the faucet or the plumbing under the sink are generally easy to spot, other leaks are much less noticeable. The magazine Family Handyman says the telltale signs of sink leaks include puddles or water stains on the floor of the cabinet under the sink or water stains on the ceiling below the sink.

Even if the end of the faucet is not dripping, it may be leaking from its base. Check to see if the faucet or the nearby laminate is loose. The caulk around the edges of the sink may also be damaged, or you may notice damage to the particleboard under the cabinet.

One way to test for leaks around the sink is to put a little bit of water on the countertop between the sink and the wall. Check below to see if this water is dripping in from the edges of the sink.

You may need to tighten the faucet so it does not allow water to leak from near the base when it is activated. You may also need to add a new layer of caulk around the edge of the sink or make sure it is secured within the cabinet.

The plumbing for the water supply may also be the culprit for leaks under the cabinet. Wipe down these handles and pipes with a paper towel to see if it comes away wet. If so, you may need to tighten the connection or replace the valve.

You can use a similar process to check the drainpipe from the sink after running water through it. The dishwasher could be to blame as well, so check the waste pipe after running a load.

Showers

If you do not securely tighten the handles for hot and cold water after a shower or bath, you'll lose some water to drips afterward. Pippin Brothers Home Services says that older handles are more likely to allow dripping, since they will not tighten as securely.

Many cases of shower leaks do not result in wasted water, but rather send the moisture from your shower to unwanted places. Family Handyman says one of the most common leaks is caused when water gets past the shower door or curtain, leading to problems such as mold or rotted flooring.

Look for any noticeable gaps in the caulking around a shower door and make sure it closes securely. You can also run a shower or splash water on the door to see if any seeps through and collects on the floor.

In some cases, you can stop the leak by re-caulking the seal. Alternatively, you may have to replace the door entirely.

Another leak you aren't likely to notice occurs when water does not go down the drain, but instead exits around it. When this occurs, the water can cause severe damage to the flooring as well as the ceiling below the bathroom.

Test your drain by plugging it and partially filling the tub or shower stall with water. Family Handyman recommends getting a test plug or other item to securely block the drain, as the regular stopper may allow some water to get past it. Mark where the edge of the puddle is, and check it after an hour to see if the water level has gone down.

Fixing the drain may require you to replace the flange or the whole assembly. If you can access the drain from below, tightening its ring nut to secure it may solve the problem.

Water can also leak through the tile surrounding the shower, causing damage to the wall as well as the floor and ceiling. Check for loose tiles, mold, or gaps in the grout between the tiles. If the problem is limited to a few tiles, you can replace and re-caulk them. If the issue is more extensive, you may need to do a larger renovation to guard the wall against moisture.

Toilets

Rubber components of a toilet will wear down over time, increasing the likelihood of a leak. The Southern Nevada Water Authority says water will trickle from the tank into the bowl if the rubber flapper does not form a tight seal or if the flapper's chain is not the right fit.

Add a dye tablet or some food coloring to the water in the tank. If there is a slow leak, the water in the bowl will change color after a few minutes. This issue can easily be solved by replacing the flapper or adjusting its chain.

A more difficult issue arises when the flange or wax ring at the base of the toilet allow water to leak out. You may eventually notice water seeping out from under the toilet, or the problem may make itself known by warped flooring or a stain on the ceiling below.

Family Handyman says the problem can sometimes be solved by installing a new wax ring. You may also need to repair the flange, put in a flange riser to raise it, or use shims under the base of the toilet to prevent it from moving. If the toilet rocks, there is a greater chance that the connection between the wax ring and flange will be broken.

Other areas

The Southern Nevada Water Authority recommends a simple method for determining if your swimming pool is leaking. Place a weight in a bucket and set it on the stairs or a ladder step, then fill it until the water level in the bucket is about equal with that of the pool. If the bucket's water level is noticeably higher than the pool's after a couple of days, your pool has sprung a leak.

Your sprinkler system will give a few telltale signs if it is leaking. You may notice water around the valve box, or there may be some moist areas or even small puddles in the areas of the lawn where the irrigation pipes are located.

Check the hoses on the washing machine to see if there are any drips. Pippin Brothers Home Services says it is particularly important to stop these leaks as soon as possible, as they can cause major flooding if a larger break occurs.

Similarly, leaks in the water heater can eventually release a large amount of water. Family Handyman says that if you notice standing water around the tank, make sure the valves are not dripping. If they are in good condition, the leak is originating in the tank and you should try to replace it as quickly as possible.