It's not unusual for people to take plumbing matters into their own hands, but it often does more harm than good. Only a professional can diagnose and repair problem areas in your plumbing, which are most often hidden and hard to spot. Leaks in particular usually occur in piping that's either underground or in the walls, which means you won't see the problem until it's too late. In fact, according to the EPA, one out of 10 homes has a hidden water leak. Yet, your home does give off subtle signs that something is wrong. You just have to know how to look for them. Here are a few of the biggest signs that you need to hire a plumbing company straight away.

1. Your Drains Are Slow

Slow drains are very common, but if you've already tried store-bought drain cleaners and it's still not speeding up, then something is wrong. You should contact a plumbing company to clear your drains, as they know how to do it in a way that won't damage or further clog your pipes.

2. You Can't Find the Source of a Dripping Sound

Do you hear constant dripping that won't stop? Call a plumber immediately. That's an active leak that needs to be fixed as soon as possible. If you notice dripping but it hasn't recently rained, or it sounds like it's coming from inside the house, a plumbing company can quickly and easily fix it before it becomes a larger problem. Water damage in your home is no joke!

3. Your Water Pressure Is Oddly Low

The water pressure coming out of faucets should be decent even if you have very low-flow aerators and limiters. If the water pressure is low, you should call a plumbing company. Low pressure indicates that there's either a blockage somewhere or there's a leak that's allowing a lot of water to escape the pipe before the water reaches the faucet.

4. You See Water Damage But Don't See a Leak

Sometimes you look at a part of the wall that you don't normally check, and you realize that there's an odd spot. It may be discolored or wrinkled but either way, it's a sign of water damage. That's when you need to call a plumbing company to look at the pipes inside the wall to see if there's a leak. Avoiding this problem threatens both the structural integrity of your home and your household's health if mold begins to grow.

5. You See a Leak

Of course, one of the most urgent signs that you need to call a plumbing company is when you actually find a leak! Whether it's from a faucet, your water heater, or a random pipe, if you see water running and can't stop it, then you need to call a plumbing company to fix the problem.

Call a plumbing company if you notice anything out of the ordinary. It's better to be safe than sorry. Contact Maples Plumbing & Heating today so we can help.