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Have You Had a Pipe Burst? Here's How to Tell
Apr 12, 2019
The pipes in your home put up with a lot every day. Depending on what the pipe is used for and connected to, tons of water or sewage may flow through it each day. Sometimes, if pipes are not healthy or haven't been updated in a long time, they can burst under the pressure.
A burst pipe can cause serious problems. And the worst part is that you might not even be aware that a burst has occurred. This is unfortunate since early detection and fixing the problem quickly can keep more serious issues from developing. For this reason, educate yourself on the warning signs of a burst pipe and act promptly if you think you may have one.
Changes in Water Pressure
One thing to be on the lookout for is any changes in water pressure within your home. If you can take a nice strong shower one day and are forced to take a weak one the next, something is definitely wrong.
Water pressure changes can occur when a pipe has burst and water flow is no longer stable throughout the home. What's even worse is that when water pressure isn't properly regulated, it can cause damage to pipe fittings and lead to problems with other pipes as well.
Thus, do not take any change in water pressure lightly. There's a reason these changes happen, and it's your job to uncover that reason.
Water Stains
Something else to be on the lookout for is a visible water stain on your wall. Water stains can be caused by water gushing out of a burst pipe and continually hitting your wall.
And by the time a water stain develops, the water has been spurting for some time and the spot has made its way from the drywall to your actual wall. At this point, the issue is already advanced, so you definitely won't want to hesitate in calling a professional.
Discolored Water
Water can sometimes come out of the tap discolored. If your water doesn't look clear and clean, especially if it looks murky or brown, this could be an indicator that your pipes have rusted.
A rusted pipe may already have burst if the rust is extreme, or it may be on the verge of bursting or just breaking down from the rust damage. In any case, discolored water is a sign you need to have a professional check out your pipes. At any rate, do not drink the water until it can be tested and the problem resolved.
Odd Odors
Do you catch a whiff of a bad smell or something strong when you turn on your tap? Or, maybe you flush your toilet, but the bad smell lingers.
These bad odors are often caused by a pipe that has burst and is leaking sewage. Unfortunately, the smell will only get stronger as the damage gets worse. And the smell is the least of your worries when it comes to this serious plumbing problem.
Increased Costs
Even if you haven't noticed any physical signs of a burst pipe, pay careful attention to trends in your water bill.
If you notice a sudden spike in water costs but haven't changed your usage, something is amiss. A burst pipe could be the cause since all that flowing water might be increasing your water usage and the associated costs.
No matter what sign or warning you happen to notice, don't panic. Just seek the right professional help. Remember, the experts at Roto-Rooter Plumbers
are always here to help you. In fact, even if you don't have a current issue, it's never a bad idea to get set up on a regular schedule of checks and maintenance to keep everything running smoothly.
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