If you find that your water bill has become unusually high, it could be because your plumbing is leaking. Left untreated, a leaky pipe can lead to serious and extensive damage to your home. Worse case scenario, you could end up with mould that will costs thousands of pounds to repair.

So how do you find a water leak in your house?

Know the signs

Early signs of leakage include:

• stains on your walls
• a damp musty smell
• wallpaper buckling
• wooden floors and surfaces buckling

Check everywhere

Check every single conceivable part of your property. Have an attic, basement or crawlspace? Make the effort to inspect them one by one, and save yourself from having to pay the plumber an additional fee. Check all faucets, kitchen units and radiators.

Check the toilet

Toilets often leak in a slow and discreet manner that is difficult to spot. Try placing food colouring in your toilet tank, and placing kitchen roll around the base of the toilet. Any leakage as a result of flushing should then become easier to spot.