This is a picture of a job I managed this past weekend. This small pipe caused over $20 thousand in damage. Not a pretty picture! Over the course of these past few days I have talked to a number of homeowners who explained how they found the water leak in their homes. Almost all of them admitted to hearing a faint strange sound in the basement. One mentioned that is sounded like radio static in the basement, another homeowner thought the air vents had something wrong with them. All in all, if you hear weird sounds like these in your home, make sure to find out what they are. It could be a broken pipe in your basement.
One of the homeowners asked me what she could have done differently. If your heat is on and you are home, the best thing to do is clear a path to the main shut-off valve so you can shut the water supply as soon as possible. This is typically in the utility room and has a water meter attached to it. If you are not quite sure, consult your plumber. They may be able to guide you to the right shut-off valve. Keep your heat up and check your home as often as possible!
David Pollard
First Choice Cleaning & Restorations