What Causes Burst Pipes
When picturing a burst pipe, what comes to mind? Water exploding from the pipe, spraying everywhere. Water running down the walls, the floor, or the ceiling. Water flooding through the house and damaging the furniture, cabinets, and other household goods in its path.
It may sound dramatic, but that is the unfortunate reality of a burst pipe. So if a pipe bursts you know what to do, and it’s important to seek emergency assistance before it causes too much damage.
Burst pipes are most likely to occur during the really cold winter months. However, the cold is not the only circumstance that causes this problem, so pipes can burst at any point in time during the year. Here are three of the most common reasons for burst pipes.
1) Frozen Pipes Lead to Bursting
In the colder regions of the world, frozen pipes are pretty common. When temperatures dip below freezing and warnings are put out for people to stay indoors because of the cold, it’s no wonder that pipes freeze!But frozen pipes can be a serious concern. When the water inside the pipe freezes, it expands the pipe and can cause it to burst. The water can seep out of the pipe causing damage to the rest of the home.
Luckily, there are a few solutions to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Using pipe insulation can keep the pipes warmer and prevent freezing. It may cost extra to install but won’t cost nearly as much as paying for pipe replacement services and damaged contents of the home.
Other simple tactics include keeping the garage door closed if there are pipes running through the garage, opening up cabinets to allow warm air to reach the pipes that sit behind the cabinets, letting water run through the faucets, and keeping the thermostat at a consistent temperature during the day and night, especially if the house will be empty.
2) Rusty Pipes Lead to Bursting
Rusty, old pipes also cause bursting. Yellow water is a common sign of rusty pipes, and some people will also notice a metallic odor from the water.
So if there is yellow water running through the faucets, if there is an unusual smell, or if there is rust on the outside of exposed pipes, this is a red flag telling homeowners it’s time to replace the pipe before it bursts unexpectedly. This is the sort of knowledge that allows homeowners to avoid a burst pipe overall because they are prepared for emergencies.
3) Wrongful Installation Leads to Bursting
Sometimes, an off-the-mill handyman or homeowner looking for a cheap fix will end up with more problems in the long run.These types of solutions will often lead to pipes being installed incorrectly or will have poor connections with other pipes and fixtures.
Improper installation is another major cause of pipe bursts, which can cost a lot of money to fix the resulting damages.
It’s much better to spend a little extra to install pipes correctly the first time than risk the high costs of damages from a pipe burst!
About Lodder Brothers Limited
At Lodder Brothers Limited, better plumbing is a guarantee. The main goal is to make sure that customers’ homes are kept in top condition with superior solutions and products. The company's customer-first mentality is what motivates everyone to provide the best service possible with 24-hour emergency plumbing services.
