A broken water pipe is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. This is because the resulting floods can cause a home to be inhabitable. Besides that, the floods can damage your appliances and furniture. But what exactly causes these water pipes to break? For a start, a pipe can be broken if it’s exposed above the ground; It can be damaged by being run over by a car or being bumped by other things, specifically falling objects. In addition to that, the pipe can also break due to extremely low temperatures especially during winter. The problem is that it really takes time to notice a broken water pipe. There are actually some homeowners that take months to realize that there is a problem with their water supply.
Here is a list of common signs that alert you when something is not right with your plumbing.
1. Dirty and Smelly or Rusty Water
When a pipe is broken, it allows the water to be contaminated by soil and other things that are adjacent to its immediate environment. And that’s not all. If there are metallic parts in the plumbing network, they will obviously start rusting. Pure treated water is usually colorless and odorless. It also has a crispy taste. But in case you notice that your water has a strange smell and taste, it means that one of the pipes is broken and needs to be fixed.
Consuming such water poses a big threat to your health. This is because you will eventually suffer from a waterborne disease such as cholera and typhoid, which in return will affect your finances as you seek treatment. You can save yourself from such trouble by calling in water leak detector Mississippi to fix the broken pipe as soon as possible.
2. Sudden Increase of Water Bill
This is the most obvious sign. Even if you operate a car wash business in your home, you don’t expect to be slapped with a bill that’s similar to that of a hospital or a school. When your monthly water bill starts going through the roof and you are not a heavy user, it’s possibly because water has been running nonstop due to a broken pipe. If you don’t fix the broken pipe, the bill will continue going up to an extent that’s beyond your means. The only way of remedying the abnormal bill is by hiring a plumber to inspect all the pipes.
3. Reduced Water Pressure or Dry Taps
If the main pipe is broken, you will rarely have any water flowing out of the taps. This happens because water is oozing out from the source. But if you are lucky, you will get some water that’s enough for your daily needs. However, you will still have to take ages to fill your pots and other containers. This is usually caused by reduced pressure inside the pipes. As water gushes out through an opening of a burst pipe, it causes it to flow at a reduced speed. For the sake of avoiding doubts, it’s always advisable you ask your neighbors whether they are experiencing the same problem. And if they are not, a broken pipe is the most obvious culprit.
4. Wet Patches and Pools
Wet patches and pools of water are more likely to form when there is a broken water pipe. These patches are usually spotted on the ceiling, walls and floor. If the broken pipe is not fixed immediately, the dampness will eventually encourage the accumulation of mold that can trigger respiratory problems over time. Similar patches and pools can also be spotted in the front yard, where there are underground pipes. If the patches were not caused by rain, you should consider calling in a plumber before your taps run dry.
