Step-By-Step Guide: How to Find & Fix a Pipe Burst in Your House

With winter over, you might have the desire to begin working outside. Before you head out to your yard with landscaping equipment, you might want to spend a bit of time checking for leaky pipes. Winter temperatures can freeze pipes and make them burst or crack. When it comes to water leaks, the sooner you can find a problem, the more money you will save. Water is one of the most destructive forces when inside a home.

The negative consequences of a pipe burst include damaged drywall, mold growth, and rotten wood. Even small water leaks can cause significant problems, especially because most of your water lines are behind your walls. Before you begin yard work, we recommend performing an inspection of your pipes to to eliminate leaks.

The First Step: Discover If There is a Hidden Leak Behind Your Wall

If a leak is not caught in its early stages, it may cause a moderate to severe pipe burst in the future. To confirm if you have a water leak behind your walls, navigate through your house to confirm each sink and fixture is off. In addition, we recommend deactivating appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines. When you are certain that every fixture and appliance is off, check your water meter. A standard water meter is usually installed near the main water line on your property. It can either be located in your home, or outside. If the meter isn’t moving, you do not have a water leak. Do you notice the dial moving on your water meter? This is an ordinary indicator of a hidden pipe burst or leak behind your ceiling and walls.

The Second Step: Find the Pipe Burst or Leak

To find the pipe burst or leak, focus on the walls of your home where you know there are water pipes. Bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms are common places to begin searching. Check inside of sink cupboards, feel the connections to verify that they are dry. Do the same with the water lines for your toilets. If the water connections in your home are operating properly, the source of your activate water meter may be a pipe burst.

You will need to check every pipe in your crawl space to confirm if you have a pipe burst. While inside of your crawl space, look at the under-flooring for water stains and wet places. Mold is also a key indicator of consistent moisture. If your home has a basement, walk downstairs and check the walls and ceiling to confirm if you notice a pipe leak. Focus your attention on walls directly below areas where you know there are water pipes. A burst pipe will cause obvious signs such as droopy drywall and soggy base boards.

The Third Step: Call a Licensed Plumber to Receive Help With a Water Leak or Pipe Burst

If you know you have burst pipe, call give our team a call by phone at (732) 201-3305 to receive emergency plumbing support.  Our technicians will find the burst pipes and repair them. From malfunctioning water heaters, water line leaks, broken sump pumps, to gas leaks, our team of licensed plumbers have the skills and training to resolve your problem. We offer plumbing repair and installation services in areas of New Jersey such as Trenton, Howell, Tom’s River, Brick, and Elizabeth. We take the guess work out of plumbing problems.