3 Common Causes of Burst Pipes and Ways to Avoid Them
A burst pipe can quickly cause a disaster for households and leave behind significant damage. Homeowners will need to call a plumber for emergency burst pipe repair to fix the line and start cleaning and fixing any problems from water damage. This can involve ripping up and replacing flooring, fixing drywall, and more.
In order to prevent these issues from a burst pipe, homeowners should be aware of the common causes of burst pipes and some tips to help avoid them. Homeowners should do their part to prevent clogs, avoid frozen pipes, and monitor lines for corrosion.
Clogs
A common cause of burst pipes is clogs. If blockages are in pipes, they can cause an increase in pressure in the lines, and it can lead to a pipe burst. To prevent clogs, plumbers recommend that homeowners take certain steps. These can include scheduling routine drain cleaning services on their pipes. During these appointments, experts will remove any blockages and residue from pipes using a method such as hydro jet drain cleaning before they become larger and cause tough clogs.
Property owners can also avoid clogs by taking precautions throughout their homes. This can include installing a mesh screen over the drains in showers, bathtubs, and sinks to collect hair and other debris before it goes down the drain. Homeowners should also only flush toilet paper and avoid putting certain types of food down the drain in the kitchen sink, including grease, stringy vegetables, meats, eggshells, coffee grounds, and more items that can get stuck to the pipes and cause clogs.
Freezing
Another common cause of burst pipes is frozen pipes. During the winter months, if the Georgia temperatures fall too low, pipes freezing is a threat homeowners should be aware of. When this happens, the freezing causes the water in the line to expand, which can cause the pipe to burst.
Some easy ways to avoid frozen pipes are pipe insulation, disconnecting outdoor hoses and draining the line, opening up the interior and cabinet doors to ensure the home’s heat reaches pipes, and during freezing temperatures, leaving faucets dripping keeps water flowing and not stagnant, which helps prevent the water from freezing.
Corrosion
Aging and corroded pipes are also at risk of bursting. When corrosion occurs, the structure of the line may be compromised, putting it at risk of leaking or bursting. To avoid pipe bursts due to corrosion, plumbers recommend that property owners take precautions to identify signs of decay. Some steps homeowners can take include:
- Having plumbers repair or replace pipes when necessary at the first signs of an issue
- Scheduling routine plumbing maintenance and pipe inspections lets plumbers check for signs of aging and corrosion
- Additionally, water softener installation can help prevent pipe corrosion and clogs, as the minerals in hard water can corrode pipes and build up within the lines, causing clogs.
About The Plumbers Guild
The Plumbers Guild is a locally owned and operated company that has been serving Brookhaven and the surrounding areas for more than a decade. They offer flat rate pricing, easy scheduling, and the latest technology. Call them today for plumbing services in Brookhaven, GA.
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