You know there are pipes hidden in your walls somewhere, but since you can’t see them, you probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about them.
But this could become a problem.
Your pipes don’t always do what they’re supposed to do, and if you aren’t paying attention, they can cause expensive damage to your home. Before you can start any prevention methods though, you have to answer an important question: “Why do pipes burst?”
We’ve put together this guide to help you find out why, so let’s get started!
Why Do Pipes Burst?
When one of the pipes in your home bursts, it creates a potentially dangerous (and expensive!) mess. If you’re a new homeowner, you should read these helpful tips that’ll walk you through what to do during this type of water emergency.
But the best way to handle a pipe failure is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Keep reading to learn the most common reasons for pipes to burst so you know what to look for and what to avoid.
The Temperature Gets Too Cold
If the weather gets too cold, the water inside your pipes can freeze.
This isn’t just an annoying problem. Ice has more volume than water, meaning the water expands when it freezes and puts extra pressure inside your pipes. The ice can put so much pressure on your pipes that they can crack or spring a leak.
Always turn your water off if you expect cold temperatures. If there isn’t any water sitting in your pipes, it won’t freeze and damage your plumbing. Turning the water back on when you need it is a quick and easy process.
There’s Too Much Movement
Do your pipes make loud, banging sounds whenever you turn on the water? That means they aren’t secured properly. When the water flows through the pipes, the pressure causes them to sway back and forth or up and down, which makes them tap against the insides of the walls.
Your pipes aren’t supposed to move this way. Over time, this movement can weaken the joints, leading to a leak. It’s a good idea to call a professional to repair the problem before it dumps water everywhere.
The Water Pressure Is Too High
The water pressure in your home should stay the same no matter which faucet you turn on or how often you use them. Sometimes, your water pressure valve can break or fall out of place, making the water pressure in your home stronger than normal.
Your pipes might not be able to handle this extra pressure, and they can burst if the pressure gets too high. You can test your water pressure with pressure gauge, and if it’s higher than average (30 to 50 psi), you should adjust it right away.
They’re Getting Old
The lifespan of your pipes will vary depending on the material, but they tend to last about 50 years. While that’s a long time, it’s not forever.
As your pipes age, they can start to corrode, rust, or weaken. Even if your water pressure is normal and the weather stays warm, your pipes can give out if they’re too old. While replumbing your home isn’t cheap, it may not cost as much as repairing water damage, removing mold, replacing damaged furniture, etc.
They Can’t Withstand the Weight
If you have pipes under the floor or underground in the front (or back) yard, they have to be able to withstand the pressure from whatever is on top of them, including furniture, dirt, bricks, tree roots—you name it. Sometimes this pressure becomes too much. If the pipes can’t hold up to the amount of weight above them, they’ll crack or fall apart.
This doesn’t happen very often, but it is helpful to know where your pipes are so you can avoid putting too much weight on them.
There’s a Clog
Sediment, too much toilet paper, or even a small piece of dental floss can catch on the sides of your pipes and create a clog. If the clog is large enough, water won’t be able to flow past it, which can cause the pressure to build up in that section of pipe. If you don’t remove the clog in time, the pressure can get too great and burst through the pipe (or at least cause an already weakened joint to leak).
The Installation Was Faulty
In some cases, the person installing your pipes might have messed up during the process. They may have placed the pipes in the wrong area, failed to secure them properly, used the wrong materials/pieces, etc. This can cause your pipes to burst or wear out faster than normal.
Make sure you hire a qualified plumber to install your pipes. Otherwise, you’ll spend more money trying to repair the damages later.
What to Do If Your Pipes Burst
So why do pipes burst?
There are a number of reasons, but if one of your pipes bursts, you should get in touch with a plumber right away. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will get, and the more money you’ll have to dish out to fix it. A burst pipe can also lead to an unhealthy living environment, including things like mold growth and rot.
It’s not worth putting your family’s safety at risk.
Want to learn some other helpful tips for first-time homeowners? Make sure you check out the rest of our blog today!