Burst Pipe andWater Leak Damage

A burst is obvious. Frozen pipes often give no warning, since ice can seal a split until it thaws. A slow leak shows up as a stain, a musty smell, cupping floors or a water bill that creeps up. Insurance often treats these differently, so note when you first saw the problem.

Know your shutoff, replace old connectors, and keep heat on when away. Read how to handle frozen pipes.

Slow leaks need a different kind of attention. Staining, soft flooring or musty smells suggest the area has been wet for a while, so mold should be checked for before closing anything up. Check your policy as well, since insurers often treat long-term seepage differently from a sudden event. Note the date you discovered it and keep any plumber's report.

Water follows gravity and framing. It runs along joists, drops down wiring holes and settles on top of ceilings. So a leak in an upstairs wall may show up two rooms over and one floor down. That is why a contractor will trace the path with meters instead of working only where you saw it drip.