As a homeowner or a commercial business owner, you need water to perform a variety of tasks. From cleaning the dishes to watering the garden and other necessary stuff, your underground plumbing system needs to be in perfect shape to avoid leakages and other complications. However, a common issue with plumbing systems is burst pipes or broken pipes. Sometimes, you might not even know about it until you observe some signs like peeling paint and mold. You will need to consult plumbers and mold removal companies at that point.
Therefore, before the situation becomes worse, we will help you with the signs to look out for a burst pipe.
Water Pressure Fluctuates
A common hint of a burst pipe in the ground is fluctuating water pressure. It only makes sense that if there is a leakage underground, the water will simply leak and won’t find its way inside the house. This could go both ways i.e. sometimes the pressure might be sufficient but other times, there might be no pressure at all.
But, if you are watering the plants or cleaning the dishes and notice that the water pressure fluctuates frequently, it means that there is a leakage underground. There can be multiple reasons causing the water pressure to fluctuate. If the house happens to be old, it may be that the pipes have corroded and cracked under pressure resulting in bursting.
It could also be that the main water pipe or line connected to your house has burst. In this case, you won’t be able to do much but call the relevant department and have it fixed for you.
The Water Bill Is Too High
If there is a broken pipe underground, you will notice the water bill suddenly spiking. The reason is that even if you are not using water inside the house, the water underground will still leak, which will cause the water bills to rise. You have to keep in mind that water leakages in the case of bursting pipes are not always a worst-case scenario.
If the pipe happens to be cracked, the leakage is going to be minimal in the initial stages. With time, the leakage will force the cracks to widen and eventually cause the pipe to burst. So, if you observe any unusual signs or symptoms in or around your house, you should immediately consult an expert.
The Water Smells And So Does The House
If the tap water or the water in your shower smells specifically of rotten eggs, it means that it has already gotten worse. The pipes connected to your sewage system might have burst and are interfering with the other pipes causing the water to mix.
In this case, you will observe a rotten eggs smell around the house but you are most likely not able to determine the source. If you look everywhere but are not able to find where it is coming from, it means there is a leakage underground.
In such a case, you will need to call the relevant authorities to show up and immediately fix the issue. This is because the smell is going to spread in the entire house and make it difficult for you to breathe.
Puddles Forming Under The Sink
Puddles forming under the sink is another sign there is something seriously wrong. It could be that the pipe connected to one of the sinks has leaks but if the puddles are forming under all the sinks in the house, it means the main water line or pipe is damaged.
To resolve this problem, you will need a team who will dig and try to find out the source of the leakage. Identifying the area where the leakage is taking place can sometimes be tricky. This is going to take time and you might not be able to carry out your chores.
Puddles forming under the sink can damage the tiles or pose a risk of slipping. This is why you need to address the issue as soon as possible.
Mold Problems
Mold can be a serious problem if you do not pay attention to it. The problem with mold is that it can take time to appear and by that time, the situation might have turned worse. Plus, mold tends to damage the furniture, cabinets inside the bathroom, and other wooden items.
Mold is dangerous for everyone, but it’s more problematic for people with allergies, kids, and the elderly. Constant or regular exposure can lead to chronic health problems and other issues. So, if you notice mold forming in certain areas of the house, you will most likely observe the finish and paint peeling away as well.
Make sure that you try to address the problem immediately if you spot mold in your house by consulting mold remediation Bethesda services. They will not only remove mold but will also suggest you ways to prevent it.
For the time being, you can remove mold using chemicals but you will need to get the pipe fixed as well, otherwise, mold will grow again within days.
Damp Walls & Ceiling Bubbles
If your house has a burst pipe, it is most likely that you come across damp walls and bubbles in the ceiling. In most cases, homeowners are either not able to notice or simply determine the sudden change in the appearance of the walls. For you, it might be a simple or minor issue but you have no idea what is going on behind the scenes.
If the water has made its way into the walls and ceilings, it means the problem is already alarming. Damp walls could be a serious issue as the paint will peel off. On the other hand, ceiling bubbles mean the water has leaked to the point where it is cracking or peeling the paint.
This could be a threatening situation especially if your house is old. Such issues can turn serious within hours in such cases and need to be avoided at all costs.
The Plants And Trees Are Dying
If you are someone who likes their house to be surrounded by greenery, you will notice that the once-healthy plants are slowly rotting away. Plus, your lawn might feel overwatered. This is a tell-tale sign that an underground pipe has leaked and you need to look into it.
With time, you will notice the leaves are turning brown and falling. This means that if you come home to healthy plants and trees shedding leaves, it means there is a leakage somewhere. Plus, this also means that the situation is already bad and you need to act immediately.
Conclusion
Pipes can burst due to several reasons. But what is more important is that you know how to tackle the issue. If you let the water leakage continue, do not be surprised if the paint, flooring, or other items in the house begin to lose their finish. This is why you must keep an eye out for unusual signs & symptoms. Plus, what is equally important is that you hire water damage restoration Potomac services if your house has sustained water damage from a broken pipe.
