How to tell if a pipe burst underground?

Burst pipes are a common and frustrating issue for many homeowners. If left unaddressed, they can lead to a host of other problems, such as a break in the air causing a gurgling or bubbling sound when running faucets or flushing toilets, sinkholes in your yard, or even a lack of water appearing when it should. In this article, we’ll help you understand what causes burst pipes and what you can do to prevent them.

So, don’t let burst pipes leave their mark on your home. Learn how to identify the signs and take action to prevent costly and damaging water damage.

Nearly every homeowner has experienced a burst pipe in their lifetime. While a pipe bursting may be a dramatic experience to many, it can often be quite subtle, especially if you have pipes hidden behind walls or underground. Unfortunately, unless you have a big water leakage, you might not be able to easily tell there is a burst pipe in your property. Here are five signs that you might have a burst pipe in your home.

Table of Contents

• 1.     Stained, foul-smelling water
• 2.     Mold growth
• 3.     High water bills
• 4.     Puddles under the sink
  • 5.      Fluctuating water pressure
• Endnote

1. Stained, foul-smelling water

Dirt and other contaminants may get into the water when a pipe bursts in the ground. The burst pipe will eventually rust if undiscovered, giving the water a brownish tint. The unhealthy biofilm may also set up a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to severe health issues.

A foul smell from the water might be a telltale sign of leaking sewage. You could be smelling hydrogen sulfide, which is a poisonous, naturally occurring gas that sets up in sewer lines. Reach out to a professional plumber on the Gold Coast to inspect your plumbing system if you notice any odd smell from the water coming out of your faucets. 

2. Mold growth

Mold growing in your home can be a nuisance, but the good news is that you can take care of it with a proper DIY remediation . However, mold growth under the sink or other hidden areas of your house may be a sign of leaking water from a burst pipe. It’s also worth noting that areas with mold usually have a musty smell. Get a professional to inspect and diagnose the problem if you notice excessive mold in your house.

3. High water bills

If your water bill has suddenly increased without significant changes in water usage, you could have water leakage in the ground or other parts of your home. Even small drips from a leaky faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water in a year. When you multiply that loss by slow leakage from a burst pipe, you will notice significant spikes in the monthly water bill.

4. Puddles under the sink

Another clear sign of a burst pipe is standing water or puddles under the sink. Puddles may form away from the actual source of a water leak, but they are usually due to an obvious pipe burst. These puddles can grow bigger and get through to other areas, such as the kitchen floor. Call a plumber immediately if you notice any puddles in or around your home. Even small puddles can indicate a serious plumbing problem. 

5. Fluctuating water pressure

A burst pipe can cause a drop in water pressure, leading to a significant decrease in the amount of water coming out through your taps or shower head. While a fluctuation in water pressure could be due to the city’s fault, it might also be a sign of a plumbing problem. Get the issue fixed to prevent further damage when you notice a significant drop in water pressure.

Endnote

A burst pipe can cause serious damage to your home if not identified and fixed on time. Reach out to a licensed plumber as quickly as possible and schedule an inspection for your plumbing system when you notice any of these signs. Besides fixing a burst pipe, an experienced plumber can advise on what might have caused the damage.