Plumbing and Pipe Leaks

Plumbing water is usually clean when it starts, which makes it the easiest kind to dry. The problem is time: a leak inside a wall or under a slab can run for a long time before it is found, and by then drywall, insulation and flooring are soaked.

This topic is part of our complete guide to water damage restoration. The articles for this topic are listed at the end of the page.

What makes pipes fail

• Corrosion in galvanized steel and old copper lines.
• Freezing, which splits pipes in exterior walls, attics and garages.
• High water pressure that stresses fittings and hoses.
• Shifting soil and settling slabs that crack lines underneath.
• Failed fittings, valves and supply hoses under sinks and toilets.

Signs of a hidden leak

• Water meter moving when every fixture is off.
• Stains, bubbling paint or soft drywall.
• Warm spots on a tile or concrete floor (hot water slab leak).
• Musty smell in one room or cabinet.
• Cupping or lifting flooring.

A plumber finds and repairs the pipe. A restoration crew finds everything the water reached, dries it and repairs the damage. The two usually work together on the same day.