One of the more challenging parts of being a homeowner is when something goes wrong or breaks, you're in charge of fixing it! And unfortunately, one of the most common issues can be the hardest to detect -- a plumbing leak. Here are five tips for catching a leak!

1. Review your water bill carefully. Have you noticed that your most recent bills have been unusually high but you haven’t changed your regular routine at all? This can be a telling sign that you may have a leak in your home.

2. Pay attention to water pressure. Although a shift in water pressure in your shower or kitchen sink can be caused by a clogged pipe, it’s crucial to rule out a leak.

3. Check below your sinks. A great habit to get into is routinely checking under bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room sinks to ensure you don’t have a slow drip. Not only will this warp your cabinetry and cause mold, but it can cost you a lot of money over time. Inspect flooring, walls, and ceilings.

4. Peeling paint or stains on walls or ceilings is an indicator that there might be some damage behind them. Make sure you regularly check the floors and sealant around appliances like tubs, toilets, refrigerators, and more for cracks or spongy areas as well.

5. Don’t neglect basements and crawl spaces. “Out of sight, out of mind” could really cause a major issue for you and your home in this case. Make sure you set a reminder to periodically check your house for mold, corrosion, and moisture before you are dealing with foundation damage.