How to Find Where a Burst Pipe Is in the Wall

Shut off the water to the house by turning off the shutoff valve at the water meter with your hand or a wrench. Turn the shutoff valves off on your washing machine, hot water heater, dishwasher, sinks and toilets, as there is still water in these pipes even when the house's main water supply is shut off.

Examine the walls for damp, spongy spots. Look for places where wallpaper or paint are bubbling out or falling away from the walls.

Examine kitchen and bathroom tiled walls for pooled water. Check where the tile meets the tub or sink in the bathroom for water. Examine where the tiled kitchen wall meets a sink or countertop.

If the water to the house was shut off and the house unoccupied for a few days, look for concentrated areas of mold growing on the damaged wall.

Remove the plumbing access panel nearest the pipe damage with a screwdriver. Inspect the exposed water pipe for breaks. If you can't see the break through the access panel, cut away the damaged wall area with a drywall or tile saw until you spot the pipe break.