A Couple of Top Causes of Burst Pipes
Posted on: 22 January 2018
Considering how extensive your plumbing pipes are, it is not uncommon for some parts of the system to acquire damage over time. Additionally, with your plumbing pipes being hidden behind walls and buried underground, it can also be quite difficult to discern that you have developed a leak until you begin to notice physical water damage on your property. Therefore, it is critical for individuals to invest in routine inspections from their local plumber to ascertain that their plumbing is in optimum condition. Moreover, the regular examinations will also catch problems early before they are aggravated to emergency status. This article illustrates a couple of the top causes of a burst pipe.
Exposure to cold temperatures
Most of your plumbing pipes are located in uninsulated areas such as in crawl spaces, beneath your flooring, under the roofing and so on. Although visually it is best to have the pipes in these locations so that they are not an eyesore, these areas do tend to be exposed to erratic temperature changes. Australia may be warm for a significant part of the year, but the winter can get quite chilly.
When the temperatures drop, any water inside the pipes will begin to freeze and thaw. This cycle of freezing followed by thawing can then lead to cracks in your pipes due to expansion and contraction. If you do not insulate your plumbing, it could be at high risk of a burst pipe the next time the temperatures become extremely cold.
Exposure to root intrusion
You may think that root intrusion is one of the rare causes of burst pipes, but in actuality, it is much more common than you would assume. Homeowners typically underestimate root growth, as their progress is not visible. Therefore, you may be under the impression that the tree on your property is located a safe way away from your plumbing, but as it grows, its root system becomes significantly extensive—not to mention that when root intrusion occurs, you may not know immediately, as the water will be seeping underground.
It is when you begin to experience changes in water pressure or find soil in your water supply that you could start suspecting this issue. It is imperative to routinely check your yard for unexplainable wet spots and have a plumber inspect the underground pipes before irreparable damage occurs. You may even want to consider re-lining or re-piping with new, sturdier materials that will be able to withstand the pressure from the growing roots without succumbing to breakage.
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