Dealing With Busted Pipes?
Pipes are your home’s unsung hero. They give us water and gas and take away the bad smelling stuff. Without pipes, we couldn’t enjoy many of the comforts we appreciate in our homes and businesses. But pipes are largely unseen. Buried behind walls and beneath floors, your home’s plumbing system remains out of sight, making only occasional appearances by way of your faucets, showerheads, drains, and gas-powered appliances. Because of their hidden nature, understanding when your pipes are busted, rusted, or broken requires knowing what to look for.
Below are some of the warning signs of damaged pipes. If you’re seeing one or a few of these indicators, don’t neglect the warning signs. Call a professional plumber. And if you’re seeking pipe repair in Asheville, NC, choose the experts at My Plumbers LLC. We are licensed, insured, skilled, and ready to take your call, so dial 828-708-7107 now.
Warning Signs of a Busted Water Pipe
A huge leak is a clear indicator of a damaged pipe, but there are some other not-so-obvious signs of a busted, rusted, or broken pipe.
- High water bills. Higher than normal water bills can mean there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing.
- Flooding or puddles outside the home. Water from a busted pipe often presents itself as a puddle or consistently damp section in your yard.
- Smelly, discolored water. If a pipe cracks underground, it gives bacteria and sediment the opportunity to creep in, which can alter your water’s taste and smell. Corrosion in pipes can also cause your water to change in taste, smell, and appearance. If you notice this change primarily in the hot water and you own a storage tank water heater, the problem might also be a failing anode rod.
- Mold growth and other moisture issues. If a pipe develops a small leak behind your wall, the stream of water may not be strong enough to create saturated portions of drywall. However, a small mist from a hairline fracture might create the ideal environment for mold and mildew growth.
Indicators of a Damaged Gas Line
The smell of rotten eggs and/or a consistent hissing sound can let you know that you have a leaking gas line. Natural gas leaks can also occur in outdoor pipes. If you notice air bubbles in water puddles outside your home, it may be a sign of natural gas spreading itself out in the soil and into the surrounding air. Dead or dying plants in and outside the home also provide a hint of a failing gas line since the presence of natural gas hinders plant roots from absorbing oxygen and can result in wilting.
What do I do if I notice a damaged pipe?
Anything with the potential to cause flooding, things dealing with human waste, and leaking gas lines are considered plumbing emergencies. Even a small leak can cause significant damage to your home’s structure, electrical wiring, and property. Furthermore, if your pipes are corroded, your water has to travel through rust and sediment to get to you. This makes water filters, pumps, and other mechanisms your water encounters along the way work harder thus increasing energy costs and diminishing the life expectancy of your plumbing system.
Gas line leaks can be even more dangerous than water line damage. Natural gas exposure can result in poisoning. Natural gas poisoning has symptoms like dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headaches, and irregular breathing.
If you suspect plumbing damage, give us a call at 828-708-7107. Don’t risk it. Call Asheville, NC’s favorite plumbers.
