In part one of this multi-part blog series, we went over some basics on how to spot potential pipe bursting signs in your home’s plumbing system. A burst pipe is commonly a serious plumbing incident, and you’ll begin to notice signs that it’s taken place pretty quickly in most cases.
At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re happy to offer 24-hour emergency plumbing services for severe cases of burst pipes and other potential issues, along with numerous other plumbing repair and maintenance solutions. Today’s part two of our series will go into some more of the red flags you might notice that often signal a burst pipe somewhere in your system, while our subsequent sections will go over how to respond if you’ve confirmed a burst pipe present in your home.
Strange Noises
In many cases, a burst pipe will cause unusual noises to start emitting when you use various plumbing fixtures – or even sometimes when you aren’t using them. For instance, you may notice certain appliances or drains making a bubbling noise even when they aren’t in use; this is due to air finding its way into the sewer system because of a leak due to the burst pipe.
In other cases, supply lines will have been dented, leading to a whistling sound. This is because water is trying to force its way through the dented section. In still other situations, you may hear dripping behind a wall due to a burst pipe leaking water.
Water Bill Increase
Have you noticed major increases in your monthly water bill compared to recent months or the same month in a prior year? If this has happened despite no big changes to your water usage habits, it could be due to water leaking somewhere in the system – and a burst pipe could be one of the culprits. One way to confirm this is to turn all your faucets off, then check your water meter; if it’s running still, you know you have a leak or burst pipe issue.
On-Pipe Signs
For certain exposed pipes, such as those under your bathroom sink or in your basement, you may see some visible signs of bursting. One of the most common, especially during the current winter period, is condensation, ice or frost forming on the pipe – this could be an issue of freezing, but it’s also often compounded by leaks or a bursting issue that allows water to collect on the outside.
In other cases, you may see a bulge forming in your pipe. This is a sign that the pipe is frozen and is at major risk of bursting, causing huge amounts of damage – in this case, call our team right away to remedy the issue before the burst takes place.
For more on the signs that may indicate a burst pipe in your home, or to learn about any of our plumbing repair or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.