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Having a burst pipe is a nightmare for many homeowners, especially when you don’t know anything about plumbing emergencies, what damage caused it, general plumbing problems, or your plumbing system. And since it’s not something you can wait for to completely dry, all you can do is worry if there’ll be a sudden change and what further water damage to your home will most likely happen while you call a reputable plumber. And your local plumber can’t immediately help you with all your plumbing needs. The dread of losing valuable property to water damage and the cost of repairs are reasons to be concerned about pipes bursting in your homes.
And so, we’ll guide you on why, how and what to do when plumbing pipes burst, causing plumbing issues and water damage.
You probably have a few guesses on what possible damage caused the burst or how the burst pipes occur. A water pipe can burst open for many reasons, like excessive water pressure, high pressure, or lack of warm air, leading to frozen pipes in the winter. However, the most common reason water pipes burst is rust, which is the case for metal pipes.
Metal pipes tend to rust over time and weaken as water surges on the walls, which in most cases leads to bursting and your broken pipe. Poor installation and hard water are other factors contributing to pipes breaking. Rarely does it happen when water freezes and causes the broken pipe.
Pump problems cause surge flow, which leads to high-pressure buildups in valves and pipelines or causes disasters to the plumbing systems in your homes.
If you are not satisfied with the water pressure and water flow in your house and your water meter reading and water bill haven’t reached your maximum limit yet, you can choose to increase it and have more water.
When adjusting the water pressure, you must be careful not to damage other appliances. Warranty on appliances damaged due to increased water pressure may become void.
Homes with water wells as their source of water supply tend to suffer low water pressure. If the water pressure is low, get a plumbing company to check and service the components. You may need a new constant pressure system installed in your plumbing system.
To determine if the water pressure in your home is high, all you need to do is observe. In cases where the water running in your taps seems to have too much force, then the water pressure is high. Damaged appliances and leaking taps are also signs of high water pressure.
Let’s go back a bit and understand why water pipes burst in the first place.
Pipe bursting is often caused by pressure build-up in pipelines or channels that are not eased. Most valves are rigid because they are metallic or PVC and can withstand pressure. On the other hand, the materials used for flexible pipes are made from rubber and are not as sturdy as other pipe materials.
The first thing you have to do is go for pipes of the best quality. Low-quality pipes fail faster than those of high quality. Also, damaged pipes can’t withstand the pressure of flowing water for a long duration.
The experience and skill of the plumber or plumbing experts also have a role to play in preventing pipe bursts. So, to avoid pipes bursting, you must go for high-quality products and skilful plumbers.
There are two main reasons why our houses’ flexible pipes or hoses burst: water pressure and pipelines’ weak points.
Flexible pipes develop weak points through manufacture, transportation and installation. The weak points are micro holes, which cause leakages and usually develop during installation.
The leaks often cause the flexible connection pipes to burst. Plumbing services recommend constantly checking for leaks in flexible pipes like those under the kitchen sink to prevent them from bursting.
Flexible pipes don’t last as long as others; most last about five years, while some last up to 10 years. You should check the flexible pipes in your homes for signs of wear and tear, even if they are not up to the expiration date.
Follow these simple steps for fully guaranteed successful plumbing work in your burst water pipes.
Shut The Water Off
The first step is to turn off the main water supply immediately. Leaving the water running can cause damage to your property. Turning off your water supply is essential so water doesn’t get to your sockets and causes fatal accidents. To stop further water damage means stopping water running in the water pipes.
Open Your Taps
The reason pipes burst is because of pressure build-up in the channels, and opening your taps eases that pressure.
It would help if you started with the cold water taps first. After draining the cold water taps, turn off the heating system and drain the hot faucets.
Clean Up And Call Your Plumber
Remove the water by mopping it up to prevent other things in your house from water damage. Call your plumber to fix the pipes and prevent further damage. Professional plumbers will inspect, find the cause, repair, and implement measures to prevent a reoccurrence.
Blockages
Blockages in pipes are the most common cause of pipes bursting.
Stopping the flow of water causes pressure build-up in pipelines. The pressure build-up expands the pipes and eventually causes them to burst.
If you have a main pipe burst, it is best to call a plumber immediately. Further delay may lead to irreparable damage to property. It can even put you and your family out of your home for a while.
Damaged mains can leave an area without a water supply, so fix them immediately after they burst.
Poor Workmanship
Aside from pressure in pipes, shoddy workmanship is a leading cause of burst pipes. Pipes get damaged from botched installation to mishandling and sub-par workmanship.
Getting qualified and experienced plumbers when installing your pipes is best.
Wear and Tear
Pipes wear over time and lose their strength. If you notice tear signs on your pipes, call your plumber immediately to have them fixed. Worn-out pipes can cause leaks and burst at times.
You may suffer damage to property if you are not home when a pipe breaks, so regularly inspecting the pipes in your home is a good habit.
Tree Roots
Tree roots can cause burst pipes, so get an expert and inspect nearby trees before installing pipes. Water pipes are very sturdy, but they may have tiny cracks where roots enter from and grow, causing them to burst.
Structural Damage
Structural damage is the most significant damage done when pipes burst in a building. It weakens the load-bearing elements of buildings, endangering the occupants’ life. Ignoring or not correctly attending to pipe breakages can result in property loss and life.
Loss of Property
Aside from structural damage, you can lose essential things to the excess water flowing. The floor finishes are also damaged alongside the structural components.
Burst or broken pipes can be an unpleasant sight for homeowners. You’ll need a licensed plumber to immediately provide emergency plumbing services on your property to avoid further damage and plumbing problems. However, proper maintenance and good-grade pipes can prevent most pipe bursts.
It’s such a relief when you’ve prevented severe damage to your whole house. When after a thorough leak detection, water leaks are resolved; excessing pressure in your plumbing leading to burst pipes is solved and mended; tree roots are no longer major plumbing problems; high water pressure is also not an issue anymore; gas and electrical appliances are fixed; and it isn’t at all time consuming dealing with the emergency plumbing situation because you relied on a professional plumber with many years of experience.
Professional plumbing and quality pipes will keep you from losing money and property and lessen the damage to your home if you’re faced with a burst pipework. Be sure that a qualified and experienced plumbing company handles your plumbing and regular maintenance.
At the Gold Coast Plumbing Company, we offer you the best plumbing service with skilled and experienced plumbers. Our Gold Coast plumbers are available seven days a week as a friendly service with rapid response and fixed pricing. From blocked pipes to burst flexi hoses and burst water pipes, excessive home water pressure or low water pressure, tree roots in your drain lines, a malfunctioning hot water unit, and other home plumbing issues, you can rely on us to go the extra mile and provide you with a fully guaranteed solution! Please leave us a message during our operating hours and book your Burst Pipe and Water Leak Repair now and enjoy high-quality service from our expert emergency plumber.
Check out our blog for more plumbing tips from Gold Coast Plumbing Company.
