Water Sounds—When pipe damage lets air in, your water may make gurgling or bubbling noises. Unusual Colors—Brownish water coloring is often a sign that your pipe is corroded and damaged. Foul Smells—Sewage-like smells coming from your faucet, showers, or sinks often indicate an issue with your water mainline.
Weakened sections of pipe may burst with a loud “popping” sound similar to a car backfiring. Although property owners usually don't hear pipes bursting, if you do happen to notice this sound consider requesting the assistance of a water leak detection plumber.
Burst Pipes Aren't Always Easy to Detect
In fact, it's possible to have a ruptured pipe go unnoticed on your property for quite some time. Depending upon the location of the pipe and the magnitude of damage it's sustained, it may leak water for weeks on end before you even notice it.
A leak is a small hole, crack or rupture in a pipe that allows some water to continue to leak.. In such a case, you will notice that small amounts of water are left flowing out through the hole in the pipe. A burst pipe is a situation where the pipe has a wide opening that allows the water to flow out of it freely.
Watch the Water Meter
Turn off all water faucets in your home and make sure the washing machine and dishwasher are not running. Check the water meter and make a note of the numbers you see. Come back in an hour and check again. If the numbers have changed, there's a leak somewhere.
Accidental water damage that occurs as a result of a sudden, unexpected occurrence like a burst pipe, is often covered by a homeowners insurance policy. In addition, cleaning, repair or replacement of wood flooring, drywall and even furniture due to water damage as a result of a burst pipe typically are covered.
If you hear sounds from inside the walls, a burst pipe is possible. Water sounds, in particular, point to burst pipes. Drip sounds usually indicate a leak, but rushing water sounds are likely from a burst.
Most small issues can take a single afternoon to resolve, while some extensive problems may require a week or more. What matters is that you come to a worthwhile result, one unlikely to cause you a headache in the same way again.
It could sound like a loud bang, a series of bangs or shuddering, and can occur anywhere water shuts off quickly, such as at a washing machine, dishwasher or toilet. While annoying, the water hammer has likely not caused any damage to your pipes.
Cracked sewer pipes can emit foul odors, lead to insect and rodent infestations, cause mold and mildew growth, and create a dangerous living environment if not properly repaired.
Rattling: Your pipes are loose and not tightly secured. Banging: Your appliances are shutting off too quickly, causing a water hammer. Screeching: Your plumbing fixtures or faucets need to be replaced. Gurgling: Your drain lines or sewer lines are backing up.
If you own your home, you're responsible for the water pipe that runs from the boundary of your property into your home, and the internal pipes and fittings. If you're a tenant, this is your landlord's responsibility to fix and maintain.
Water sounds in the walls are another sign. If you hear a constant drip, but know all of your faucets are aren't the cause, a pipe inside the wall is a likely cause for the noise. Additionally, check your other water fixtures before you assume a burst. Toilets, sinks, or tubs also make water noises from time to time.
Pressure. Excessive water pressure can cause stress on your plumbing leading to leaks and burst pipes. If you hear banging from your pipes (known as a water hammer) this is a sure sign of high water pressure. It may mean that the water pressure from your supplier to your house is too high.
Most homeowners policies cover water damage from leaks and broken pipes, but there are exceptions. Always read your policy to see what's covered. If you rent, the owner's policy won't cover your furniture, electronics, clothing, or other personal items. Consider buying renters insurance to cover your things.
Homeowners insurance provides coverage for the structure of your home, including its slab and other parts of the foundation. If your slab cracks due to a covered hazard, like a pipe burst, homeowners insurance will likely cover the cost of tearing out and pouring new slab, but pipe repairs will likely not be covered.
Use epoxy putty or pipe putty as a temporary fix to a leaky pipe. Pipe putty is designed to harden at room temperature and seal the hole or crack. Turn off the water supply line in the house.
TO log any fault, contact the Joburg Call Centre on 0860 562 874 or 0860-JOBURG, or phone Joburg Water on 011 688 1500.
Structural Damages Can Occur
You see, it is not just the value of your property going down. If you leave residential water damage unchecked for too long, you are also risking structural damages to your home. You might not realize it but structural damages can become quite expensive for you in the long run.
Locating a leak on mains supply pipework
Water should stop coming out from the tap if the stopcock has been fully turned off. Second, go to your water meter and make a note of the reading. If the water meter reading increases, it indicates a leak on the mains supply pipework into the property.
These seemingly random plumbing sounds might even scare you a little (you're not alone!). To make matters worse, loud noises coming from your piping can actually be an indicator of a bad plumbing problem or series of plumbing problems in your pipes.