3 Warning Signs You May Have a Hidden Burst Pipe in Your Home

3/14/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage on carpet due to a burst pipe in a Carrollton, TX home

3 Warning Signs You May Have a Hidden Burst Pipe

Tiny cracks in plumbing pipes can occur for many reasons. Freezing temperatures, old age and your home’s settling movement can all cause small fractures in the lines. When the water pressure wears away at the crack, and it ruptures the line, it can become a flood of hundreds of gallons of water in less than 24 hours. Sometimes the signs of water are hidden, and the liquid runs into a crawlspace or down the inside of a wall. Here are three warning signs that you may have a hidden burst pipe.

1. An Unusual Sound

If you can hear the sound of trickling water in your walls, you probably need to fix a broken pipe. The same is true if you hear a constant dripping noise but cannot find the source of the water. Also, watch for unusual sounds following a shower, toilet flush, or dishwasher load.

2. An Unusual Odor

When you notice your sinks release a stinky odor, it may be from a broken line. When you find a moldy smell as you move from room to room, but you cannot find a source, it may be from mold-filled flood water under your home. Both issues can be serious and typically require the expertise of a water mitigation technician.

3. An Unusual Spot

Wet plasterboard can sag, bulge or become discolored. This is often the first indication homeowners have that a pipe has burst. Again, this can be a serious issue and may require extensive repairs to your walls, floors and ceilings, so it is important not to ignore the unusual spots.

If you notice any of the above signs, and you discover you do have a hidden water problem, you may want to contact your Carrollton, TX, insurer to see if you have insurance coverage for the flood water. The sooner you catch the errant water, the less damage the liquid can do to your home.