A sudden temperature shift frequently causes a burst pipe. For example, it’s unusual for water to freeze within pipes and expand due to the cold temperature in the winter. As a result, the pipes are more likely to rupture.
Even if the pipe survives the winter’s pressure, it will suffer irreparable damage. Meanwhile, the frozen water will gradually thaw, ultimately finding a way out and producing pipe leaks. While pipe bursting is more common in cold weather, it can also happen in warm weather if too much-thawed water stays trapped inside the pipes, and there is increasing demand for it to come out.
What Causes Pipe Bursts?
Many contemporary water supply lines are built to handle significant pressure, preventing pipe rupture. Burst pipes can, however, be caused by reasons other than temperature fluctuation, which are noted below by Denver plumbing experts.
Clogs
Water pipes can get blocked due to mineral deposits that solidify over time. When a significant blockage forms, the flow of water downstream ceases, resulting in an extraordinary pressure buildup inside the pipe, finally forcing it to burst. Clogs can also form when the water flowing through the pipes contains solid objects such as trash.
Excessive Stress
Water pipes are designed to resist specific pressure levels, the actual rate of which may be discovered on the pipe itself. The specified maximum is occasionally surpassed when extra water is pushed through a pipe. If the pipe is thin, the pressure of fast-flowing water might become too great to handle, resulting in a sudden burst.
Pipe Aging
Metal and plastic pipes are not designed to survive long, and how exposed they are to the environment will determine how long they endure. Pipe bursting contractors believe that pipes can last up to 20 years before becoming structurally weak and unable to bear high water pressure.
Incorrect Connection
It is critical to connect the pipes to the whole pipework system. When the pressure reaches high levels, faulty or weak connections can expose the pipes to undue pressure, leaving them susceptible and rupturing.
Ground Motion
Although it is rare, severe earth shifts can cause pipelines to break. Earthquakes are an excellent illustration of this, as are cases of high rainfall in which the ground foundation must move up, down, and laterally to allow for powerful flowing water. These situations subject ground pipes to tremendous stresses that they may be unable to withstand.
Pipework Design Error
All piping tasks, including design and layering, should ideally be performed by a competent plumber. Expect mistakes to occur if this is done by persons who need to have the appropriate technical competence, such as improperly subjecting the pipes to water pressure; if this is high, the pipe may break.
External Influence
Water pipes can sometimes be exposed to pressure from the outside, even though many of them are buried. External factors such as passing automobiles, building activities, and above-ground excavating can strain the pipes, causing them to fracture or explode.
ย How To Keep Your Pipes from Bursting
Burst pipes are inconvenient and costly, but there are easy and practical solutions to avoid them, outlined below.
Maintain at least one open faucet.
This may surprise some, but running at least one tap can help avoid frozen pipes, especially during the winter. There’s no need to turn on your faucet and run water at full blast; a gentle drip should suffice.
Furthermore, choose the one farthest away from your water supply while determining which faucet to open. This means that the water will flow for a more extended period, keeping the pipes active and busy, so they do not freeze.
Protect any exposed water pipes.
Water supply lines exposed to the weather are more likely to freeze and rupture. This is particularly true if they are near exterior walls or in unheated places like your basement or attic.
Insulating your pipes is the simplest and cheapest technique to keep them from exploding. Several materials, like foam and fiberglass, can function as efficient pipe insulators. Still, if you reside in a location where freezing temperatures are uncommon, you can use any material, such as old newspapers, as a covering for your pipes.
Open the cupboards in your kitchen and bathroom.
Open the cupboards under your bathroom and kitchen sinks to prevent pipe bursting. This allows hot air to travel underneath, warming up your pipes.
Regulate thermostat settings according to season.
To save energy, it is standard practice to regulate the thermostat when the seasons change. This is especially important during the winter, but if you want to avoid frozen or burst pipes, keep your thermostat set to the same temperature day and night. A consistent temperature range helps keep your pipes warm.
Insulate your home’s unheated spaces.
Because there is no heat to keep the pipes warm in areas of the home that are usually cold and unheated, plumbing in these areas is prone to freezing and bursting. Crawl spaces, basements, garages, and attics are examples of these. They, like other rooms in the house, should be insulated.
ย Key Takeaway
The indicators of a ruptured water pipe may be difficult to detect, but various methods exist to avoid a calamity. Regular plumbing repair by a competent plumber is essential, especially with old pipes. Meanwhile, exposed pipes should be covered throughout the winter so that the water running through them does not freeze. These steps should help you avoid the expense of repairing a burst pipe.
