t might be the sound of dripping water on the ceiling or behind a wall, or a mysterious puddle on the floor. Maybe you've noticed a decrease in water pressure when you turn on the hot water faucet, or no water flow whatsoever. These are all signs that a pipe may have burst.
It only takes a small hole to cause you big problems when the water starts to melt.
They happen most often in the wintertime, when water freezes inside outdoor plumbing or in pipes near exterior walls. As the water freezes, its volume increases and it exerts pressure on the pipe's walls. The ice can block the pipe so that the water that is behind it adds even more pressure. Whether the pipe is copper, lead, or PVC, it can give way under the pressure. you may not become aware of the emergency until the weather warms up. Then your first sign might be wet ceilings or walls if the broken pipe is concealed from view.
Here are a couple of things you can do to prevent cold weather emergencies:
Call 866-869-4167 - we have an emergency hotline so you can reach us any time.