Why Do Pipes Burst? | Insight from Your Trusted Mesa, AZ Plumber
Photo By Paul Tessier at Shutterstock
Are you concerned about bursting pipes and want to make sure that this isn’t something that you have to worry about? Well, there are actually a few different things that could cause your pipes to burst, but not all of them are something you need to worry about in Mesa, AZ. In fact, you may only have to worry about a few of these things because one of most common causes of a burst pipe is the fact that they freeze, which is going to happen primarily in northern states.
Frozen Pipes
The number one reason that pipes freeze is because they get too cold. When the weather outside is freezing or below freezing and the pipes don’t have enough insulation around them they could freeze. When this happens, the water that’s inside those pipes will swell and if it swells too much it could break open the pipe itself. This can be a serious problem and it could result in a great deal of damage, which is why it’s important for those in northern states and colder areas to do what they can to keep their pipes protected and better insulated against the cold.
Movement
One of the things that can happen absolutely anywhere, however, is that your pipes could actually move. If they don’t have the right level of security and restraint on them then they start to move as the water flows through them. When this happens they could actually start to weaken. That’s because they flex the most at the joints and those joints will start to wear out as the pipes continue to move more and more. When they finally give out it means that the water pressure bursts open and you end up with a big old mess that requires a plumber immediately. You may want a plumber to come out and check the security of your pipes long before this.
Water Pressure
Did you know that the water pressure that you use could actually have a big impact on how your pipes are doing? If you’re using too little water pressure it means you may not get the water you’re hoping for, but too much water pressure can cause damage inside the pipes. If you push water through the pipe too quickly it can absolutely burst a pipe because the pipe itself can’t hold the water. There’s too much force and too much pressure and it pushes against the sides of the pipe, causing it to break open. A plumber can help you set a safe water pressure for your pipes before you have this problem.
Corrosion
If you have old pipes then they will eventually start to corrode and break down. Some types of pipes will also rust, which can cause holes and additional damage. When this happens it weakens the structural integrity of the pipe and at some point the pipe is going to give away. When the water rushes through, even at a normal water pressure level, it finally breaks through the last bit of the pipe that’s been holding on and you end up with a burst pipe somewhere in your walls, floors or anywhere else. But a plumber will help you recognize a potential problem before it occurs.
What to Do About a Burst Pipe?
So, what should you do if you have a pipe burst in your home? The very first thing that you should do is call a plumber. You want to make sure that you have someone at your house as soon as possible to turn off the water and start mitigating the damage as much as possible. No matter what the cause of the burst pipe it’s going to result in a big mess and the sooner you get it cleaned up and taken care of the better off you’re going to be.
If water continues to flow throughout your house or in the walls or floors of your home for too long it’s going to result in some very serious problems. That’s because the water starts to seep into the structure of the home and break down the wood there. If you have a burst pipe that you don’t notice for too long it could actually break down the foundation and more of your home, which will cost you a whole lot of money and time to get it taken care of again.
That’s why you should always be aware of what’s going on in your home and take care of problems as soon as you recognize them. If you happen to notice that your pipes are moving around in the walls (which you can generally tell by the noise) it’s a good idea to talk to someone as soon as possible and get this looked at. If you notice that your water pressure is too high you’ll want to talk with a plumber as well because they can lower the pressure to a safe level. No matter what’s going on with your pipes, you want to make sure that you know about it.
A plumber can take care of just about anything that happens in your home and definitely all of the plumbing needs that you have. But you want to make sure that you’re avoiding those problems as much as possible. Routine inspections will make sure that you don’t have a corrosion or rust problem in your pipes. Paying attention to the water pressure and the sounds that you hear could protect you from movement and pressure problems as well. And living in Mesa, AZ is definitely going to help you avoid the freezing pipes problem.
No matter what’s going on, make sure that you’re talking with a plumber routinely about your home and that you’re getting routine drain cleaning and inspections that are designed to check for any problems with your plumbing from beginning to end. You can absolutely resolve any of the problems that are happening with your plumbing before they become a big issue. You just need to make sure you have a plumber who can help you out and that you’re calling them as soon as you notice something strange. Remember, you are the first line of defense for your plumbing and the only person who can call the trusted plumbers at Schroeder Plumbing in Mesa, AZ to help you out.
