NationStates Jolt Archive

All the water pipes in the basement seem to be failing simultaneously. Water is leaking in nearly every room in the cellar! Any idea/explanation/advice? :confused:

Quick! Build a boat and get two of every animal!

Call a plumber

No idea why, but I'd say it's time to call a plumber. Immediately. Water damage will lead to mold, which could cause health damage and cost a ton of money to fix.

Call a company like SERVPRO (http://www.servpro.com/) in your local area, you may not need their services, or you might, but they can at least probably give you some tips on what to do.

Hope this helps!

Here is a pretty good list of things to do and don't. (http://www.servpro.com/residential/emergency_tips.pdf) it's a PDF file, so you'll need Adobe to read it.

Find your rising main, and turn it off. Then you'll have time to think what next to do.

Take your shoes off and frolic in the water, or turn the water off at the mains and call a plumber.

Ok thanks for advice.

I still wonder how they can break in multiple places simultaneously. The house is circa 16-17 years old, to my knowledge.

Ok thanks for advice.

I still wonder how they can break in multiple places simultaneously. The house is circa 16-17 years old, to my knowledge.

Large pressure could cause multiple breaks, not sure what'd cause a buildup in pressure.

Ok thanks for advice.

I still wonder how they can break in multiple places simultaneously. The house is circa 16-17 years old, to my knowledge.
Sounds unlikely, even if you've had some wierd pressure surge. More likely is a single leak, and the water runing back along the pipework by capillary action, thus appearing all over. I've had that happen to me a couple of times.


<--- Not a plumber.

Large pressure could cause multiple breaks, not sure what'd cause a buildup in pressure.
How about a block in the outgoing water line?

It's about the cold water pipes, hot water pipes, or waste water pipes?

For waste water pipes:
Have you used Drano or another strong product in the last days? Sometimes it can give and old pipe its last blow.
Don't use any water, and call a plumber.

Cold/hot water pipes:
Turn off the main water valve (for the whole house), empty them by turning on all the faucets, and call a plumber ASAP.

Ok, i've taken closer look, and i've localized things a bit: there's (from what i can see) two leaks, but they're on one single pipe going through several rooms. Stay tuned...

Put on you swimming trunks, call the neighbors and invite them over to play in your new swimming pool. :D

Ok, i've taken closer look, and i've localized things a bit: there's (from what i can see) two leaks, but they're on one single pipe going through several rooms. Stay tuned...
*runs off to get popcorn*

Ok, i've taken closer look, and i've localized things a bit: there's (from what i can see) two leaks, but they're on one single pipe going through several rooms. Stay tuned...

How deep is the water now? Need at least 3-4 feet for swimming? How long is the basement? 25 meters is best for swimming laps. Do you want me to bring some beer? How about food?

*runs off to get popcorn*

Steals some of his popcorn.

I have done a lot of plumbing repair but I am not a professional.

Are they drain pipes or water pipes (water under pressure)?

You're sure it's not condensation?

Shut off the valve on the water main, usually located near an outside wall.

Are the leaks at couplings or joints or breaks in the pipe itself?

What are the pipes, PVC, copper, iron? The first 2 are easy to repair yourself with minimum skill and tools. Plumbers are expensive.

Are the pipes well supported by hangers, i.e. could sagging have caused a stress failure?

Do you have a pressure reduction valve in place? Maybe it's excessive water pressure if you're on municipal water.

If you don't get professional help I can maybe help you out via IM.

If the source of the leak isn't obvious, try wiping the pipe dry with rags. Then watch while somebody turns the water back on. Assuming it's a water pipe.

Same thing with drains, flush toilet or turn on sink and check. Usually is a bad connector or a trap, in my experience.

Leaks are easy to fix, don't be alarmed. Just find it if you can.

Ok, i still haven't figured out how to turn things off (dumb me :headbang: ), but it's apparently really just the two relatively small holes (under which i have put buckets for now), which are on the pipe itself, not at the joints.

Regarding the pipes, they're copper from what i can tell, and nope i didn't reach any plumber this late...

Ok, i still haven't figured out how to turn things off (dumb me :headbang: ), but it's apparently really just the two relatively small holes (under which i have put buckets for now), which are on the pipe itself, not at the joints.

Regarding the pipes, they're copper from what i can tell, and nope i didn't reach any plumber this late...
BE CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING ELECTRICAL WHILE STANDING IN WATER.......WATER AND ELECTRICITY = POSSIBLE ELECTROCUTION

CALL A PROFESSIONAL...NOW!! :)

Ok, i still haven't figured out how to turn things off (dumb me :headbang: ), but it's apparently really just the two relatively small holes (under which i have put buckets for now), which are on the pipe itself, not at the joints.

Regarding the pipes, they're copper from what i can tell, and nope i didn't reach any plumber this late...

Probably just internal weakening due too corrosion - lot of guys get cheap and use M grade copper rather than L. It doesn't last as long.

That's easy to fix yourself. Even if you don't own the tools, you can buy them and the parts for under $50. Then you'll have a plumbing toolkit for the next time something leaks.

You can fix it yourself in under an hour if you're a novice, half that if you've done it before.

Probably just internal weakening due too corrosion - lot of guys get cheap and use M grade copper rather than L. It doesn't last as long.

That's easy to fix yourself. Even if you don't own the tools, you can buy them and the parts for under $50. Then you'll have a plumbing toolkit for the next time something leaks.

You can fix it yourself in under an hour if you're a novice, half that if you've done it before.
He's going to have to figure out how to turn off the main first, though.

(Clue: look for where the pipe enters the building first - there'll be a lever or a tap on it nearby. Usually inside, in this country, and always easy to access.)

Or if you have a well, there will most likely be a bladder pump which can be switched off. The pump probably sits on the floor near a wall, an obvious mechanical device with a pipe coming into it through the cellar wall.

Ok, i figured how to shut it off now. I think i'll head off now though and figure out tomorrow how to fix it. Anyways, thanks for advice, though. :)