There are few things that can harm your home more than a plumbing or water issue. Water damage is just about the most expensive and extensive kind of damage your home can incur. How does one prevent this from happening? The number one thing is to be proactive. Don’t let little issues go unnoticed. When you see something, call up the plumber. It is much better in this instance to be safe than sorry – because you will be very sorry. 
A few things to look out for:
- Spike in water bill. This is a tell-tale sign that you have a leak somewhere. Small changes are common, but if you open your bill and are a little surprised, don’t just write it off as someone in the house taking more showers.
- Change in meter readings. Similar to the first one, if there is a big change in the readings and no major change in usage, you know something is off. This could be another sign of a water leak.
- Wet spots in yard. If you notice patches where the grass is growing a little faster or places where it is always damp, even after dry spells, you might have a leak. This could also be a sign of septic problem if you have that type of system.
- Running toilets and dripping faucets. These are relatively minor fixes and should be taken care of as soon as possible to avoid paying extra each month and letting those problems escalate to further issues.
- Cracked or damp foundation. Water can do bad things to your home’s foundation. These things could mean something simple like bad drainage or something bigger like a large-scale leak or crack somewhere.
- Mold/damp carpet. These should be obvious of a leak somewhere in your home, whether from plumbing or other issues.