Plumbing Problems: How To Tell If You Have Cracked Pipes

Dealing with cracked or broken plumbing pipes can be a major problem. The worst part is, you may not even know until it’s far too late and the damage has been done. Finding a cracked pipe can be quite a nightmare if you don’t have the backing of a professional team like Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning. Our plumbers are skilled at being able to locate cracks and assess the extent of the damage they have caused, often before it’s too late.

What To Look Out For

There are a few signs that, as a homeowner, you should keep an eye on to hopefully prevent extensive damage to your property. Remember, as soon as you suspect or have confirmed a cracked plumbing pipe, switch your main water line off immediately.

• Sputtering

  Sputtering occurs when there’s a crack in the pipe that not only lets water seep out of the pipe, but also takes water in and up along your plumbing system. The water that comes out of your taps will generally sputter and you may hear your pipes rattling.

  A quick way to check if it’s a cracked pipe or just air in the pipes would be to let the water run for a short while to see if it stops sputtering. If it doesn’t stop, close the tap and switch the main water line off, as you most likely have a cracked or broken pipe.

• No Water

  A telltale sign that you’re dealing with a burst pipe is when you don’t have water coming out of your taps when it’s in the ‘on’ position.

  Unless there has been scheduled maintenance or your water has been shut-off for non-payment, you should always have water in your taps. Since you’d notice if a pipe bursts in your home, it could be a cracked or broken pipe under your home’s foundation. A quick and easy way to check would be to call your local water company to find out if the loss of water in your home is maintenance-related.

• Dirty Water

  A cracked pipe doesn’t mean you won’t get water coming out of that faucet, but if your tap water is slightly brown or muddy there’s a good chance that dirt and debris have entered your plumbing. Take this as an indication that you have an underground cracked pipe. You may notice signs of sputtering or minimal pressure to accompany the discolored water.

• Flooding

  If your pipe is leaking, remember that the water will only stop pooling once you shut the main water line off. If any part of your home or garden is flooded, you are without a doubt dealing with a cracked pipe.

• Foul Odors

  No one likes the smell of sewage, but it’s an easily recognizable scent. If you smell a foul odor in your home, there’s a good chance that the pipes which remove wastewater from your home may be cracked.

  Leaking sewage water will leave its mark in more ways than one and will need to be seen to by a professional plumbing company.

  Pro Tip: If you’re constantly dealing with sewage clogs, this could mean that your sewer pipe has started to deteriorate. You may need to call in an expert rooter service provider to ensure that you get your sewer pipe in working order.

• Mold

  If you’re noticing moldy patches on your walls, there could be a leaky plumbing pipe. Mold can harm your health and will grow in damp and humid conditions.

Fixing The Cracks

There are multiple unexpected reasons for damaged sewer and drain lines and you should never attempt to fix them yourself. The only way to heal your cracked pipes would be to call in the professionals like Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning at 1-888-773-1524, they’ll help you fix it!