Pipe bursts can result in water damage that costs homeowners time and money to fix, but you can prevent this disaster by understanding why water pipes typically burst.
Pipes are engineered to handle extreme force and should only burst when there has been substantial structural damage; however, sometimes unforeseen circumstances cause them to rupture suddenly and without warning.
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Frozen Water
Water pipes can easily burst when exposed to freezing temperatures, as frozen water expands three times its original volume when frozen and exerts tremendous pressure on them, ultimately breaking them.
Existing pipes may also be at greater risk of bursting. Plastic may become more fragile with age, while metals corrode over time and eventually result in the failure of the pipe itself.
Before your aging pipes leak or burst, they must be replaced with newer, more durable options.
A leak can destroy personal property, lead to mold growth and compromise the structure of your home; repair costs for such issues are high and should be addressed immediately; you can minimize damages by shutting off water supplies in your home and moving any belongings away from where the pipe may have burst.
Corrosion
Your water pipes in your home may experience wear and tear over time, which is why it’s wise to hire an expert licensed plumber regularly to inspect them to make sure that they remain safe.
Corrosion is a natural process caused by metals interacting with oxygen and other elements. Over time, this interaction causes rust and corrosion, which corrodes your pipes, weakening them over time.
Temperature can also play an integral part in how fast corrosion occurs; cold water tends to accelerate it, while hot water can slow it down significantly.
Shifting Soil
Tree roots that infiltrate water pipes exert unwelcome pressure that extends beyond their structural limitations, forcing the pipes to either burst open or crack resulting in leakages that may require professional plumber services to identify. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to detect these underground leakages without professional expertise – therefore requiring the assistance of a plumber.
Other causes of burst pipes may include clogs, ground movements, and old pipework. When installing pipes, incorrect fixtures are sometimes chosen, resulting in increased pressure that causes blockages that result in bursts.
Soil shifting is standard and may be caused by construction nearby or natural disasters like earthquakes and tremors, exposing underground plumbing pipes to forces that could make them burst unpredictably. One way to help protect them from this scenario is planting trees away from underground water pipes.
High Water Pressure
Pipes are designed to handle specific amounts of pressure, but when this exceeds a threshold limit, it can lead to burst pipes causing costly repairs and property damage.
Corrosion, shifts in the ground, or water meter issues may all contribute to water pressure problems in homes. A sudden increase in demand or malfunctioning pressure-reducing valve may also play a part.
Your home could suffer from high pressure if its pipes rattle, bang, shudder, or shake violently. Furthermore, higher water bills and louder appliances might indicate high water pressure levels in the home. If you’re experiencing a high water bill with no visible leak, it may indicate an issue such as a hidden pipe burst or a silent leak, necessitating a thorough inspection by a professional plumber to identify and resolve the underlying cause.
A professional plumber can install a pressure-reducing valve to lower water pressure in your home and potentially avoid this issue in the future; this solution cannot repair existing burst pipes.
Clogs
Blockages create unnecessary pressure in their surrounding area, which may result in your plumbing bursting and needing immediate professional repair services.
Clogs are one of the primary causes of pipe bursts. Whether they result from natural minerals or food waste, clogs will eventually lead to pressure buildup in your plumbing system and finally burst. It is best practice to dispose of cooking oils, lard, bacon grease, or oily foods into the garbage can for disposal to prevent these clogs from occurring.
Busted water pipes can cost a great deal of money. Leaks from burst pipes will not only damage walls, ceilings, and insulation; it could also become an ideal breeding ground for mold growth. To prevent such disasters from happening in your home, regularly inspecting its plumbing system for signs of clogging and blockages is the key.
