A burst pipe is a sight that most homeowners don’t wish to see due to the extensive repairs, leaks and general inconvenience that follows.
Burst water pipes are a worrying problem that demands your immediate attention. Otherwise, it can cascade into several other related issues, increasing the work that must be done on your plumbing system.
If you don’t suspect a burst pipe, detecting leaks can be pretty difficult. Luckily, several signs can tip you off early to a busted water pipe. These signs can be spotted easily, provided that you remain vigilant.
So, let’s review all the signs of a burst pipe, what causes them and how you can fix them.
Signs Of A Burst Pipe And What Causes Them
1. Water Discolouration
If the water from any faucet appears discoloured, it may point to a pipe that is about to burst or has already burst. In such instances, you may find that the water has turned reddish-brown, indicating rust in the leaking pipes.
Rust weakens pipes, which can lead to them cracking or breaking apart.
2. Foul Odour
You may detect a slight odour in the water from a faucet at home that points towards a fault with your plumbing system. Since pipes contain all the foul sewer gases, any potential leaking pipe may cause them to seep, implying that something went wrong with the plumbing system.
The lack of water flow in sewer lines can cause leaking sewage waste to accumulate, which is the root cause of these smells. These issues must be addressed immediately, which can eventually lead to a burst pipe.
3. Water Bill Spike
A water leak is an early sign of a pipe bursting, which can lead to a massively increased water bill. Keeping an eye on your monthly water consumption can let you know if something needs to be improved with your plumbing system.
The earlier you spot the water bill spike, the better since plumbing leaks always lead to much wasted water. Not only is this undesirable financially, but it is also a significant waste of a finite resource.
4. Water Stains
Most pipes in a plumbing system run through the walls and flooring. If you notice puddles or watermarks on the walls or the floor, it may be a potential sign of a water leak. Additionally, any drips and standing water inside your home can be a telltale sign of a severe plumbing issue.
When dealing with the latter in particular, you should contact a licensed plumber immediately. Water leaks inside a wall can devastate your house’s structural integrity, so it is paramount to deal with the hidden leaks first.
5. Fluctuating Water Pressure
With holes or cracks in supply pipes, there will be a marked drop in water pressure from all the faucets and showers. This may also lead to clogged toilets or sinks, as water won’t carry enough pressure to clear out waste.
If the water pressure from the faucets drops, consider talking with your neighbours or contacting the water supply department. That way, you’ll know whether the problem is specific to your home.
6. Unusual Noises
While using water, you may hear strange sounds due to a burst pipe. You may listen to bubbling or whistling noises as you turn a faucet on, both caused by water leaks in supply lines. Bubbling sounds, in particular, happen when air enters the pipe through a crack or a hole.
7. Visible Pipe Damage
You can watch any exposed pipes in your home for any signs of severe damage. These pipes can be more susceptible to further damage than those inside the wall or underground.
Once you spot the damaged plumbing line, you can either attempt to mend it or call a plumber for help.
Locating A Burst Pipe
Once you’ve spotted one of the warning signs of a burst pipe, you will need to look for the source of the plumbing problem. Unfortunately, leak detection can be tricky, mainly if the leaks occur inside a wall.
Using the water meter reading test, you can determine if the leak is inside or outside your home. First, turn off the water appliances, such as hot water systems, and plumbing fixtures, like faucets and toilet tanks, inside your home. After this, you can jot down the water meter reading. Wait for half an hour before rechecking the reading.
If the meter reading has increased in this period, you can be sure that there is a water leak somewhere outside your home.
You can also check the rate of increase in water meter readings by performing this test without turning the water supply off. Be sure not to use any water fixtures or appliances for the duration of the test!
Subtract the readings before and after the waiting period to see the water leak rate. If the results are close enough, no leaks are inside your house. But if you see a marked increase in the result, you may face multiple water leaks.
Contact a professional immediately should either instance occur.
Fixing A Burst Pipe
When faced with a water leak, the first thing you should do is turn off your water supply. This will help you limit the amount of water wasted, save time containing the leak, and save money on water bills.
Next, contact a professional immediately for repair work. While you can DIY-fix damaged pipes, it’s generally not advised to do so, as any errors may cause the issue to worsen. Keep your doors and windows open to ensure no sewer gases linger inside the house.
You can begin cleaning up the mess left around the burst water pipe to reduce potential water damage to the pipes or the house. The sooner you address this, the less likely mould and mildew will grow on either.
Next, drain the faucets to remove the leftover water in your plumbing system. This can relieve some pressure on the system, making repairs easier to handle.
Lastly, you can perform temporary fixes using a repair sleeve, rubber, wood, and a clamp around the area. Both solutions contain water, but it’s important to note that they don’t hold for long.
The Cost Of Repairs
Depending on the severity of the problem, repairs can set you back by a couple of hundred dollars at the very least. The time taken to fix the problem and repair property damage would inflate this amount even more. Burst pipes are an expensive problem to solve.
When you contact a plumber for repairs, they will inform you beforehand about the expenses. That way, you won’t have to worry about further last-minute additions to their fee once the job is done.
Burst Pipe–Detected!
Burst pipes are a serious issue that needs to be addressed as soon as you spot the obvious signs. After all, water damage can quickly become a significant issue and threaten your home’s integrity and your family’s safety.
Finding and repairing broken pipe fittings quickly will save plenty of money on the water bill and repairs caused by water damage. Of course, this requires you to be mindful of your plumbing system’s health and note any potential issues that may arise.
You can rely on Big Blue Plumbing Currimundi to solve your plumbing problems quickly and at an affordable rate. We offer repair, maintenance, and installation services for all your plumbing needs 24/7 and throughout the year. Get in touch with us today!
