Leaks are never a good sign. If you notice wet patches in your home or you can hear water dripping off pipes at night, then there’s a good chance that you have a leak. But how exactly do you identify a leak? What are some of the biggest signs that your home actually has a leak? Here’s what you need to know.

How to tell if you have a leak

First, let’s take a look at some of the most glaring signs that you have a leak in your home.

• Is your water pressure noticeably lower? Even with regular plumbing maintenance, you might find yourself with low water pressure that is caused by something like a leak. This can be caused by a number of things, but a leak is usually the most frustrating one to identify because the leak could be anywhere along your plumbing pipes.
• Are your water bills higher than usual? If you’ve noticed that there’s a spike in your water usage then it’s possible that there is a leak somewhere. Even small leaks can increase your water bills, so don’t underestimate the damage they can cause.
• Are you noticing water stains? If you’ve found random wet patches around the house (including the ceilings) then there’s a sign that there is a leak in your home. If you notice a wet patch like this, then it’s vital that you speak to a contractor as soon as possible because it means that the leak has been there for a while.

The best way to detect if you have a leak is to use a plumbing leak detection service. Contractors understand where the most common leaks occur and they can use this information to quickly and efficiently find where your leak is.

What should I do if I have a leak?

If you’ve looked at the tips above and have identified a leak, then there are a couple of steps that you should take based on how severe the problem is.

For starters, if the leak is really obvious and bad then you should contact a plumber immediately. If you have home insurance, then you should be able to cover these costs assuming you have access to a plumber that is covered by your insurance. However, if it really is an emergency then you can’t really afford to be picky. Contact a plumber as soon as possible and get them to perform an inspection of your home.

However, if the leak isn’t 100% confirmed or if it happens fairly randomly, then you’ll want to contact a plumber and have them perform an inspection. You could also open up some panels in your home or look into the floorboards of your home to determine if there is a leak. Identifying a leak by yourself can be tricky, but it’s a good way to gather the information that you give to your plumber.

Dealing with a leak can be stressful, especially if you’re concerned about the damage it could cause to your home. That’s why contacting a specialist is arguably the best course of action, but people with a bit of plumbing knowledge could potentially fix the issue themselves as well.