After discovering that the water coming from your faucets has lower pressure than normal, you may start to suspect that you have a broken pipe somewhere in your home. If so, look for the following signs that this is likely the case and that you have a water leak hidden somewhere within your house.

1.  Hissing Noises You Can't Pinpoint

One sign that you have a hidden leaking pipe in your house is the presence of hissing noises that you can't explain. Even after turning off the direct water supply to your toilets and faucet to rule them out, you still hear the sounds and are unable to pinpoint their location.

Try to make your house as quiet as possible by turning off all media, appliances, and fans. Then, walk around until you hear the hissing noises grow louder. Even if you cannot find the exact location, this does give you a general idea as to where the hissing is coming from.

2.  Mold and Mildew Grow in Unusual Places

The next sign for which you should be on the lookout is mold and mildew growth in unusual places. While it is not unusual to find growth around your kitchen sink or shower enclosure, you typically do not see it growing along the baseboards of your living room.

If you were able to get a general idea of where the hissing sounds were coming from, use this location as your place to start looking. If you have lighter colored walls, look for any dark greenish or black spots or streaks that would indicate mold growth.

If your walls are darker in color, you may find a powdery white substance growing in a line where water is traveling on the inside of the structure. This powder can be found in places where both mold and mildew are growing.

Even if you do not see stark changes in color, you may notice that the wall has a slightly discolored spot where either the water is seeping through or growth is just starting to form. You may also be able to detect a slightly musty odor that gets stronger when you approach the area.

Whether or not you can find the location of the leak, finding any of the above signs that you have a leaking pipe in your home warrants immediate professional attention. Make an appointment to have a plumber come to your house so they can find and fix the broken pipe to prevent any further hidden water damage.