When you are buying a new home, you want to make sure everything is functioning just as it should. Likewise, if you have been in your home 6 months or 16 years, you still want everything *running smoothly*. When you first move in you check the roof for leaks, check the floorcoverings for signs of water damage and you check your taps for leaks.

You still might encounter issues weeks, months or years down the track and these issues could end up seriously damaging your home and cost you a great deal of money if these issues are left unchecked.

Next time you are doing an inspection around your home – check for these signs. Of course, it’s a good idea to have a plumber come and inspect your home regularly to check for any issues.

Call your local emergency plumber on 1300 896 508 if you find any of these signs

1. Traces of water around your home’s foundations, water stains on your foundations or walls indicate that there is a drainage issue outside your home. To find the source check your guttering for any blockages and look for any standing water.
2. You see *standing water* in your yard. It’s normal for water to pool on your lawn for a while following rain or a thunderstorm. However, if you notice puddles long after the sun has returned and it hasn’t been raining for a few days there could be an issue. Water should *run off* from your property. If it’s not, you should talk to a drainage expert, it could be a cracked or leaking pipe below the surface, or you may need a drainage pipe to *pull* water from your lawn and into a drain.
3. Your foundations are starting to crack. Small, thin fissures in your foundation are quite normal, but if you notice a large hole that is continuing to grow, your foundations could fail. If the floor of your home has become uneven – your foundation could be in trouble. Changes in your foundation allows room for water to get in which only exacerbates the problem.
4. Depending on the extent of the damage it can put your whole house at risk. Call in an emergency plumber if you notice ANY of these above warning signs so you can get your foundations checked and repaired if necessary, to avoid any unnecessary damage.
5. Your sewer overflows every time it rains. Blocked sewer can be from something as simple as a build-up of leaves and debris, but, if your sewer has been installed incorrectly clearing the guttering won’t resolve the issue. Call in a professional and see if you need to replace your sewer before it rains again.
6. Does your home smell like mildew? If you find signs of mould in your home, it could be coming from above or below. Accumulated moisture from a leaking roof will see mould growing on the ceiling or the walls near the ceiling. If mould is around the floor area, or the bottoms of the walls, it may be coming from underneath your home, water could be pooling and isn’t draining away properly.

Read More:

Prevent Leaks with These Tips
When to Call an Emergency Plumber
Why Is Water Leaking from My Hot Water System?