Plumbing

How to tell if a water leak is due to a freeze break or other reason?

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.12 PM

We have a water leak from a frost-free hose bib on an exterior wall- when we turn the faucet on, we can see water drip through the weep holes and along the foundation line. It's a new house and still under builder warranty. We called the builder repair line, and they are going to send a plumber out to inspect it to "determine if the leak is due to a freeze break or something else." If it's due to a freeze break, we're responsible; if it's something else, they are responsible. So, the additional details: we are in Dallas, Texas, and we did have a hard freeze recently. The hose bib is of the frost-free variety. It did not have an insulating cover over it as we were told it didn't need one. The faucet was, of course, not turned on and had not been on since October. How exactly will a plumber be able to tell if the leak was caused by a freeze break? What will that look like inside my wall? I suppose the bigger question is- is this something definitive, that any plumber will be able to look at and say, yes- that's what it is!- or is it more of an opinion? I'm just concerned that my builder will try to make me pay for something that they should be paying for. Thank you!