How Can I Prevent Future Pipe Bursts After an Emergency Repair?
Anyone who has experienced them will agree that pipe bursts are one of the worst plumbing emergencies homeowners can encounter. Sadly, they are not uncommon.
According to a State Farm study, an estimated 250,000 households experience damage from burst pipes each year. While freezing temperatures account for most cases, other things can cause pipes in homes to burst.
What Happens When Pipes in a Home Burst?
The sudden bursting of pipes in a home can cause rapid water leakage and flooding, both of which can lead to significant property damage.
Examples of that damage include collapsed ceilings, weakened wood caused by water saturation, electrical problems, and the development of mold and mildew.
Rapid water leakage, flooding, and water damage from burst pipes also increase the risk of fires, electrocution, and other electrical hazards.
Because most homeowners use their home insurance policies to cover the costs of repairing damaged pipes and the resulting property damage, most end up paying higher premiums when they renew their policies.
Emergency Plumbers in Melbourne, FL Highlight the Most Common Causes of Burst Pipes
While freezing temperatures are the most common culprits when it comes to pipe bursting in a home, other things can cause these plumbing emergencies. According to plumbers in Melbourne, FL, some of these include the following:
- Hard water problems – Water that contains large amounts of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals is considered hard water. This mineral-rich water, especially when it’s hot, can trigger “hard water corrosion,” a buildup of limescale and corrosion that weakens pipes and eventually causes them to burst.
- High water pressure – Water pressure measuring 30 to 80 pounds per square inch (PSI) constitutes normal water pressure. Anything over 80 PSI is too high. And over time, that high pressure can stress pipes to the point that they start to leak and eventually fail.
- Aging pipes – Whether it’s polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), or copper, all piping materials degrade as they age. Such degradation, whether it stems from years of built-up corrosion from hard water, freezing temperatures, or internal clogs, can make pipes susceptible to leaking and bursting.
- Poor installation or repairs – Poorly installed new pipes and subpar pipe repairs can lead to pipe failures. Examples of both include the use of weak connections or joints, improper sizing, or inferior plumbing materials, all of which can compromise a home’s plumbing system.
- Tree root intrusion – Pipes with tiny cracks or loose joints are at an elevated risk of being invaded by tree roots. That’s because tree roots naturally move in the direction of water and nutrients. Tree root invasions can significantly damage sewer and water lines, increasing the risk of clogs, backups, and burst pipes.
- Ground shifting – Similar to tree root intrusion, ground shifting, whether caused by construction activity, changes in soil moisture, soil erosion, or other events, can put enormous pressure and stress on underground pipes that supply water to a home, ultimately leading to pipes cracking, leaking, and even bursting.
Plumbing Repair Emergencies: Recognizing the Signs of a Burst Pipe
In addition to visible pools of water inside or outside of a home and higher water bills, signs of a burst pipe can show up in the following ways:
- Changes in water pressure – Along with visible leaks and pools of water inside or outside of the home, one of the first signs of a potential burst water pipe is fluctuating water pressure, which most homeowners notice while running the cold or hot water tap.
- Stains or wet spots – Water leaks from burst pipes often produce yellow or brown wet spots on floors, walls, or ceilings.
- Foul odors – When pipes in a home burst, it can leave standing water in areas that homeowners might not immediately notice, like behind walls, under floors, or in attic spaces. Over time, that stagnant water produces a musty or rotten egg smell that permeates the home.
- Unusual sounds – When pipes in a home burst, they usually produce loud banging, rattling, or hissing sounds. Generally speaking, these sounds occur primarily when a tap is on and water is trying to pass through the restricted or damaged pipe.
How To Prevent Pipes From Bursting After an Emergency Repair
There are several ways to minimize the risk of pipes bursting after an emergency repair. One of the most important ones involves taking steps to prevent pipes from freezing when temperatures drop.
According to most licensed plumbers, that’s a matter of insulating exposed pipes and pipes in unheated areas, such as crawl spaces, behind walls, under floors, and in ceilings, to keep them warm during cold months.
Adjusting the thermostat in the home to ensure it’s adequately heated can also lower the risk of pipes freezing and suddenly bursting.
Winterizing outdoor pipelines by draining and disconnecting gardening hoses from spigots can also help. No matter the season or time of year, the following can also go a long way toward reducing the risk of pipes bursting in a home:
- Scheduling annual inspections – Routine inspections with a licensed plumber can help identify potential issues that can lead to pipes bursting, such as corrosion, leaks, loose joints, or pipe degradation, before serious problems arise.
- Maintaining proper water pressure – Using a pressure gauge to check water pressure in the home or installing a pressure regulator can lower the risk of high water pressure damaging pipes.
- Preventing drain backups – One of the easiest ways to lower the risk of pipes bursting is to avoid pouring grease or oil down kitchen drains. That’s because both can harden over time and create blockages that can place a tremendous amount of pressure on pipes.
- Fixing leaks – Promptly fixing minor leaks as soon as they appear can prevent pipes from degrading and eventually bursting or triggering other plumber emergencies.
Hire a Licensed Melbourne Plumber Today
To summarize, burst pipes constitute a serious and costly plumbing emergency. And they can be triggered by many things. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent them from happening or, at the very least, minimize the damage they cause when they do. To learn more, consider contacting Melbourne Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, a general and emergency plumbing repair company in Melbourne, FL, today.