FAQ: How Can I Tell If a Pipe Burst Behind a Wall?

When a pipe bursts inside a wall, the damage can sneak up on you—until it's too late. Here’s how to spot the signs early and what we do to help without tearing your house apart.

Signs a Pipe May Have Burst Behind the Wall

You might not see water spraying out, but your house will still give you some clues:

• Hissing or dripping sounds — even when nothing is running

• Wet spots on walls or baseboards

• Bubbling or peeling paint

• Musty odor — from trapped moisture

• Visible mold — especially around the bottom corners of walls

• Unexplained water on the floor — with no obvious source

If you notice any of these, don’t wait.

How We Find the Leak Without Destroying Your Walls

At Total Home Water Restoration, we use non-invasive moisture meters, thermal imaging, and borescopes to pinpoint water inside walls. No need to rip out drywall blindly.

Once we know where the water is, we’ll:

• Shut off and isolate the leak

• Extract standing water if needed

• Dry the affected wall cavities properly (per IICRC S500 guidelines)

• Repair or replace drywall, insulation, or trim as needed

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It

Water behind walls can lead to:

• Mold growth in 24–48 hours

• Structural damage to studs and drywall

• Higher repair costs the longer you wait

We’ve seen cases where a small wall stain turned into a full-blown mold remediation job because the leak wasn’t caught early.

Need Help in Grove City or Columbus?

If you suspect a burst pipe behind your wall, call us at 380-246-1837. We’re based right here in Grove City and serve Columbus, Hilliard, Dublin, Westerville, Pickerington, and surrounding areas.

We’ll fix it like it’s our own home.

“From disaster to done right. We fix it like it’s our own home.” — Tyler Zimmerman, Owner