Burst and Leaking Pipes

How To Deal With Burst Pipes

Burst pipes are one of the most common plumbing emergencies and can cause home damage fast. It’s not just about the loss of water or the cost you may incur during repairs, but also about the devastating effect the leaking water can do to your property.

• Burst ups on main pipes put people out of their homes and even lead to the closure of an entire area of a town.
• The effect in homes can be horrendous with water destroying most of the electronics and furniture. This post looks into the major causes of burst pipes and why you may need to call in a professional plumber.

Major causes of a pipe burst.

Why do the pipes burst? Various reasons may cause the pipes in your homes to give in to too much stress and break open. There are four primary reasons which are;

• Extremely cold weather
• Water hammers
• High water pressure
• Corrosion within the pipes

Let’s delve deeper into how each of these factors leads to a burst pipe, sending torrents of water and destruction your way.

1. Freezing Cold Temperatures

The extreme cold associated with winters can cause serious problems when it affects water supply within the pipes. The frigid air causes the water in the tubes to freeze. The ice contains more volume than the water that is flowing through the pipes. It results in the pipes expanding as the pressure builds up within the lines. When the freezing occurs at various points on the piping, the building pressure increases rapidly, searching for a spot of escape. The lines finally give in and break open mostly at a weak joint. It may also burst right out of the pipe.

2. Water hammers

A water hammer is a pressure surge within the pipes which causes the unfastened pipes to move. The movement of the pipes produce a booming and banging sound. Have you heard your pipes clanging against the walls at night? That’s the water hammer. Water hammers cause the joints in the plumbing system to weaken as the tubes move back and forth. The weakened joint finally gives in,and the pressurized water is allowed to escape. The damage is catastrophic and expensive to control/fix.

3. High water pressure;

An increase in water pressure within your water lines may cause the pipes to burst open and rapture. The high pressure not only createsa rupture in your water tubes but also causes malfunctioning in your faucets and sink spouts. Most water pipes within your home are built to handle the pressure at 30-35 psi. An increase to above 50 psi causes failed plumbing fixtures which may lead to a burst pipe.

4. Corrosion within the pipes;

Old pipes within your plumbing system undergo corrosion over the years, thinning the pipelines. The corrosion in water pipes occurs due to a myriad of factors. Water minerals within hard water slowly eat up the tubes from within thereby weakening them.  Some iron piping undergoes rusting, narrowing the diameter of the tubings leading to an increase in water pressure. The pressure build-up then raptures the pipes. The corrosion may be due to a difference in PH within the water that leads to the pipes wearing off over a long period.

If you encounter a burst pipe within your property, it’s vital to call in a plumbing expert to assess the situation. The plumber will be able to identify the exact cause of the burst pipe and advice you accordingly on ways to fix the problem. Don’t wait till it’s too late and lose valuable items before calling in the experts.

McMurray Plumbing, why hire us?

We are a professional plumbing company that has been in operation for over 15 years. We have been trusted by residents of Hills District and the surrounding areas to handle their plumbing needs. We offer fast, cost-effective and friendly services for all your plumbing requirements. Reach out to us today for a free quote.

If you are dealing with a case of burst up pipes, feel free to contact us,and we shall dispatch our team of licensed and accredited engineers to have a look at your property. The plumbers will provide an extensive report on the causes of the burst pipes. They will also offer consultation on the best methods to adopt to prevent further rapturing pipes in thefuture.

Give us a call on 0400 400 200,and we shall be happy to answer all your question and queries.