Your home has plumbing throughout the house. When there is a small leak in one of the pipes, you may not notice it for a long time. You may start to find water stains on your walls, or on your ceiling if there is a leaking pipe. Water stains can also be caused from a leaking roof, so this also has to be ruled out when you find water damage. If a pipe breaks, this is going to cause a much bigger mess and be easier to identify. You can end up with a flood in your basement, or with water flowing freely in your home when you have a plumbing problem.

Small Leaks Still Need to Be Fixed

A small leak can be as simple as a drip within your walls or ceiling. If you have a drip below a sink, or toilet, this can also be a problem for your home. While the drip may be slow and leave very little water, there is just enough to begin to cause damage to your home. A small leak should be fixed as soon as it is notice because it can get bigger over time. Small leaks don't go away and will eventually cause damage to your home.

When You Have a Flood

If your home is flooding from a burst pipe or other plumbing issue, turn off the water supply at the main water valve. This is generally located in your basement and it shuts off the entire water supply to your home at one time. If you are going in a basement that is flooded and there is electricity, call for help instead of trying to wade in the water to shut off the water supply. Don't take the risk of walking into water that is electrified, as you can get hurt or killed.

If Your Walls Or Ceiling Are Wet

Once a water leak is repaired, you may need to have walls or your ceiling replaced if they are damaged from water. While the wall or ceiling may dry out, this can also ruin the structural integrity of the material and cause problems. A dried out wall is going to be weak and should be replaced with new drywall.

When you have a leak that you can't identify, it's time to call your plumber. They can handle the issue safely and quickly, thus protection your home from further damage.