A leak has nothing on a burst pipe. A leak will trickle out slowly, giving you some time before the damage is too extensive. You can repair the leak and minimize the problem. But a burst pipe is an emergency situation. You suddenly have gallons of water flooding out onto your floors or into your walls, and every minute that passes exacerbates the damage. Even if you act quickly, you will end up with extensive damage to your home.
Knowing what causes a burst pipe can help you know which steps to take to prevent it. Here are the top four causes of a burst pipe:
Freezing
Pipes are usually not enough to keep the water inside from the effects of the temperature outside. So, when the temperature drops low enough, the water in the pipes can freeze. When water freezes, it expands, but it doesn’t have much room inside those narrow pipes. Therefore, it will often keep expanding and pushing against the pipes, eventually causing them to burst.
You can minimize the risk of your pipes freezing by insulating them, insulating the areas around them (such as the walls in a crawl space), and letting the water drip slowly during the coldest days. You can also minimize the risk of frozen pipes by upgrading your plumbing system with a material like PEX, which is naturally resistant to freezing temperatures.
Water Pressure
You want good water pressure to have relaxing shower and clean clothes. But if your water pressure is too high, it can actually put stress on your pipes. That can cause the pipes to burst, leading to a lot of damage to your home.
Clogs can cause water pressure to build in your pipes, so one of the best things you can do to protect your pipes is to keep them free of debris. Call a plumber to clear any clogs as soon as you notice them, and ask the plumber to check your water pressure during your routine inspections.
Corrosion
Corrosion can eat into your pipes slowly over time, causing slow leaks to form, problems with your water pressure, and foul-smelling water. Corrosion weakens the pipes, which can also lead to them bursting. You may not even know the corrosion is there until the water is pouring out all over your home.
You can’t really prevent corrosion, but you can identify it early so that your pipes don’t burst. You should have a relationship with a plumber that includes regular inspections so you can spot the signs of corrosion or other problems with your pipes early. You can then re-pipe or make other repairs as needed before you have big problems on your hands.
Movement
Pipes are sometimes installed under a slab foundation. When the ground shifts, it can put pressure on the pipes and cause them to move. That can put too much stress on certain point, or it can cause the connections to loosen, both of which can cause the pipes to burst. Any movement of the pipes puts them in danger of bursting.
You can’t do much to prevent your pipes from shifting, but you can ensure that you hire a reputable plumber to install the pipes properly so such risks are minimized. If you move into an older home, just keep an eye on the system and replace it before it gets too old. Choose the right materials and an experienced plumber to ensure that your new system has staying power.
Accidents can always happen. You can’t control everything, but you can take preventive measures that will minimize your risk. Take these steps and work with your plumber to find other ways you can protect your plumbing.
If your plumbing is getting older, it may be time to re-pipe it. Integrity Repipe can help you determine if re-piping would be best for your home and what type of piping would suit your property best. An aging system is bound to experience numerous burst pipes and other problems, so continuing to repair it is kind of like patching holes in a sinking ship. Re-piping your system will save you money and give you peace of mind for many years to come. Call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our re-piping specialists.
Published by – Integrity Repipe Inc
Integrity Repipe Inc – Mission Viejo, CA
27281 Las Ramblas, Suite 200
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Phone: 877-473-7473
Website: integrityrepipe.com
Integrity Repipe Inc – San Clemente, CA
927 Calle Negocio Suite O
San Clemente, CA 92673
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Integrity Repipe Inc – Long Beach, CA
2201 N Lakewood Blvd, Ste D #297
Long Beach, CA 90815
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Integrity Repipe Inc – Chula Vista, CA
591 Telegraph Canyon Road
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Phone: 619-313-5744
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Integrity Repipe Inc – Ladera Ranch, CA
27762 Antonio Parkway L1
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Phone: 949-397-2795
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Integrity Repipe Inc – Lakeside, CA
8337 Winter Gardens Boulevard
Lakeside, CA 92040
Phone: 619-494-3507
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Integrity Repipe Inc – Aliso Viejo, CA
27068 La Paz Rd #771
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Phone: 949-449-1142
Website: integrityrepiping.com/aliso-viejo-repipe-copper-pex-ca
Integrity Repipe Inc – Oceanside, CA
1759 Oceanside Blvd C,
Oceanside, CA 92054
Phone: 442-300-3057
Website: integrityrepiping.com/oceanside-repipe-copper-pex
Integrity Repipe Inc – Porter Ranch, CA
19360 Rinaldi
Porter Ranch, CA 91326
Phone: 818-630-9265
Website: integrityrepiping.com/porter-ranch/