One strategy to minimise bursting pipes in your home is to regularly inspect your appliances and avoid overloading them with too much water, but this is only sometimes enough. If necessary, you should notify your supplier of any potential issues before they become major crises.
When temperatures drop, your pipes are more likely to freeze and rupture. Burst pipes are one of the most prevalent causes of property damage during cold weather, causing thousands of dollars in water damage.
Pipes in unheated interior locations such as basements, attics, and garages are the most vulnerable. However, pipes that run through walls or outside walls might also freeze. Several simple steps can help keep your house dry, and your water running.
What is the cause of pipe bursts?
Pipes freeze during sub-zero nighttime conditions, especially if your home is unheated or has little insulation. Water pressure reduces dramatically when pipes freeze, forcing the pipe to defrost and expand. A crack eventually occurs, resulting in pipe ruptures or leaks.
There are various possible causes for pipes inside a home to become too stressed and burst, causing serious flooding and damage problems for homeowners. However, there are four major causes of burst pipes:
- Frozen pipelines
- Moving pipelines
- Water pressure
- Corrosion
Taking basic precautions can reduce the chance of broken or frozen pipes in your home. You are responsible for insulating and protecting all internal pipes if you own your home. Landlords are accountable for rental housing.
Cold Weather
Cold weather affects your home’s water supply pipes and can cause major problems. If frozen water expands inside a pipe, it increases pressure. It can happen at a weak link in the pipe, but pressure can burst through the wall.
Turning on your faucets to allow a continuous stream of water to escape is one strategy for preventing bursting pipes. It will prevent water from flowing through the pipes and, more importantly, prevent pressure within from rising. To avoid frozen pipes:
- Wrap exposed water supply pipes with foam pipe sleeves and kept the temperature above 55 degrees Fahrenheit in the house.
- Allow warm air to travel through pipes by opening cabinet doors beneath sinks.
- Consider contacting your local Reztor Restoration to protect your home.
Movement and Water Hammer
When water is turned on/off, water pipes might move inside the walls if they need to be secured. A water hammer is heard when pipes clang inside walls or floors. The pipes move back and forth, weakening joints until one fails, allowing pressurised water to leave the pipe.
Problems with water pressure
To test your water pressure, attach a pressure gauge to a sink spout and turn on the faucet. The pressure will cause the gauge’s needle to move and indicate water pressure.
Most homes have a water pressure of 30-50 psi; in most circumstances, the pressure should be at most 60 psi. When your home’s water pressure is too high, a plumber can install a pressure-reducing valve to reduce it to safe levels.
Corrosion Of Iron
Pipes are designed to last; the vast majority give decades of dependable service. However, pipes will only last for a while. Years of slow-developing corrosion might cause a pipe to fail. The wear and tear of water pipes can cause this problem over time. Minerals in corrosive water gradually wear down galvanised iron water supply pipes, exposing the iron pipe beneath the galvanised coating (which can lead to deadly lead poisoning). Over time, the iron rusts (iron oxide) and gradually reduces the diameter of the pipe to the point where water can barely get through. Your pipe may break or close, preventing water flow entirely.
If you have a burst pipe, it is critical to locate the source to prevent the problem from reoccurring. A qualified professional can evaluate your plumbing, determine the water pressure in your home, and make any necessary modifications. If a burst or leaky pipe occurs, our water cleanup service can also properly remove water and dry your home.
Defrosting Frozen Pipes
If you turn on a faucet, you may have a frozen pipe, and only a trickle comes out. If you fear your pipes are frozen, exercise caution when thawing them since if the pipe has already burst, water will pour out and flood your home.
If a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve, typically near the water metre or where the main line enters the house. If you still have running water and no pipes have burst, proceed with the steps below. (Of course, call a plumber if you suspect a more serious problem.)
Turn on the water. You want water to be able to flow through the frozen pipe when you heat it, and the ice plug melts. Running cold water through the pipe will help melt the ice in the pipe.
Heat the pipe portion with an electric heating pad wrapped around it, with a hair dryer, or with a portable heater (away from combustible things), or wrap pipes in hot water-soaked cloths. Please do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, a charcoal stove, or any other device with an open flame, no matter how tempting it may be; the extreme heat might damage the pipes or possibly cause a fire.
Heat the water until full pressure is restored. Check all your other home faucets to see if you have more frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may follow suit.
If you can’t find the frozen area, it’s inaccessible, or you can’t thaw the pipe, call a company like Reztor Restoration for assistance.
To sum up!
Various factors can compromise the strength and reliability of water pipes. Engaging experienced plumbers with the knowledge and experience to locate and identify the source of your water leak problems is critical. Once your leak has been discovered, let one of our specialists work with you to find a permanent solution for good.
Routine maintenance on your water pipes is essential to avoid plumbing problems all year. Contaminants in the environment, such as dirt, oils, and chemicals, can cause damage to your water pipes over time. When put into the water system, these contaminants can cause your pipes to freeze or corrode, resulting in leaks or bursts.
You must avoid such problems from occurring in your home. It is critical to have expert plumbing checks performed regularly. Reztor Restoration’s professionals will guarantee that your plumbing fittings are functioning and that your pipes are protected from environmental harm.
A ruptured water pipe is a disaster waiting to happen. If a pipe bursts, whether old or new, you’ll be swamped with foul-smelling water and maybe without hot water. A broken pipe can be highly distressing if you have to call a plumber at 3 a.m.
Don’t let this happen to you! Call Reztor Restoration right now. We will supply you with high-quality service at a fair cost.
