A burst pipe doesn't always announce itself with a flood in your living room.

A faint hissing in the walls, a mysterious damp spot on the ceiling, or a sudden drop in water pressure. Ignoring these subtle cluesand it becomes a full-blown disaster.

• The main culprits are freezing temperatures, excessive water pressure, and the natural aging of your plumbing system.
• If you’re dealing with a minor leak or a small split in a pipe, using putty, repair tape or tying it with rubber can be a lifesaver but these are just first-aids
• While that can-do spirit is admirable, do it yourself can accidentally make a bad situation much worse. Call a professional.