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Your property’s piping plays an essential role in the property’s functionality. As part of the plumbing system, the piping on your property is tasked with bringing in fresh water to the property and disposing of used water. It’s often that these pipes are out of sight and out of mind. These pipes see a fair amount of wear and tear over the years, so how do you know if a pipe burst?
A burst pipe on your property can lead to an extensive amount of damage and stress. The good news is that numerous signs indicate your property is dealing with a burst pipe. weDRY Restoration is here to help you catch these common indicators early on so you can avoid further damage. For residents in the southeast Michigan area, weDRY is here to help with the cleanup process for any size of burst pipe water damage.
Key Takeaways
- You can tell if pipes have burst on your property if you’ve noticed repulsive odors, mold growing on walls, puddles under sinks or toilets, discolored water, changes in water pressure, increased water bills, a saturated yard or sinkholes, and unusual plumbing sounds.
- If you suspect a pipe has burst on your property, shut off the main water line and electricity.
- Call weDRY Restoration at (248) 936-6329 to effectively help with the cleanup, mitigation, and water damage restoration process.
How Do You Know if a Pipe Burst?
If you have noticed any of these common indicators at your property, there’s a pretty good chance you’re dealing with a burst pipe.
1. Increased Water Bill
Have you noticed that your property’s water bills have suddenly spiked? A pipe has likely burst on your property. When a pipe bursts, hundreds of gallons of water may be leaking in your yard, and the worst case scenario, inside your property. That large amount of leaking water is sure to make your property’s water bill skyrocket.
2. Fluctuating Water Pressure
Have you noticed that your home’s water fixtures have recently not been able to stay at a consistent water pressure? One of the common signs of a burst pipe is fluctuating water pressure. Examples of this would be receiving little to no water out of your property’s water fixtures or receiving an extreme amount of water at one time. No matter the side of the spectrum, fluctuations in your property’s water pressure could mean a pipe has burst.
3. Discolored, Smelly Water
When a pipe bursts, it’s common for rust particles, sewage, and other contaminants to enter the water stream. When this happens, it can make the water discolored and smelly. If your water is discolored and smells like rotten eggs, act immediately because various contaminants that could be in your water can cause health problems.
4. Unusual Noises
Hearing unusual sounds within your property’s walls that are usually there? Weird noises like gurgling, hissing, or trickling coming from inside your property’s walls are clear indicators that something is wrong, like a burst pipe.
5. Water Damage
When a pipe bursts, it can cause serious water damage to the walls and ceilings of your property. Be on the lookout for any wet spots or discoloration in the walls or ceilings of your property. Signs of water damage on the ceilings are especially common for multi-story properties. You may also notice condensation, dampness, or yellow or brown water stains.
Signs of water damage that go unchecked have the potential to lead to other negative effects on your property. This can include mold growth, structural damage, and poor air quality.
6. Mold Problems
A burst pipe means a large amount of excess moisture has affected the surrounding area. Excess moisture provides an opportunity for mold growth. Mold development on your property can compromise its structural integrity, but it also can cause health complications for occupants. If you can’t see the mold, another indication would be a musty smell.
7. Saturated Yard or Sinkholes
Have you noticed that your yard seems saturated, even without recent rain? Or have you noticed weak spots that seem like they could give out at any moment? These new discoveries could indicate a pipe has burst underneath the yard. It’s common for piping to be located underneath a property’s yard, a cold environment that leaves pipes vulnerable to expansion. The leaking water as a result of a burst pipe can leave the yard looking saturated and can lead to potentially dangerous sinkholes.
8. Puddles Under Sinks or Toilets
A more noticeable sign of a burst pipe is standing water near your property’s water fixtures like sinks and toilets. If a pipe has burst near one of these water fixtures, the resulting leak can lead to puddles of standing water underneath. It’s important to respond to standing water immediately to prevent extensive water damage.
What to Do About a Broken Pipe?
It’s one thing to understand the common signs of a broken pipe, but it’s also important to know what to do when your property has a burst pipe on its hands. If your property has a burst pipe, follow these steps:
1. Shut Off the Water
The first thing you need to do when a pipe has burst on your property is to shut off the main water supply. Turn off the main water valve on your property, which is most likely located near your property’s water heater, in a crawl space, or in the basement.
By turning off the property’s main water supply, no more incoming water will flow to the property, cutting off the possibility of further damage. Also, make sure to drain your property’s faucets to eliminate the remaining water in the piping.
2. Shut Off the Electricity
Depending on the size of the ensuing leak from the burst pipe, it might be necessary to turn off your property’s electricity. This should especially be done if you suspect leaking water could come into contact with electrical wiring or fuse boxes. This eliminates the chances of potential electrical hazards. If you think water has already come into contact with these electrical components, stay away from the water and contact weDRY.
3. Call Emergency Water Damage Restoration Company
The next necessary step is contacting an emergency water damage restoration company. weDRY Restoration will take over to help with the next steps which include cleanup, mitigation, and restoration. The experts at weDRY Restoration have the experience, tools, and knowledge to respond to the water damage emergency stemming from a burst pipe.
Need Burst Pipe Water Damage Cleanup in Michigan?
Does your southeast MI property need burst pipe water damage cleanup? Don’t put this problem off and contact weDRY Restoration today.
