Burst pipes inside of your home can lead to disastrous amounts of damage. The released water can ruin your flooring, furniture, and cause numerous expenses. It’s also a huge inconvenience, and in some extreme cases, it could make your home unlivable for some time. So, what causes burst pipes? How can you prevent it from happening to you?
In this article, we’ll give you our top 5 tips to help you avoid having to deal with burst pipes ever again!
So, without further ado, let’s get to the bottom of it!
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Keep them from freezing in the winter
The number one reason for burst pipes is low temperatures! This is why most pipe bursting issues happen during the winter. So, how can you prevent your pipes from freezing?
Well, you can always invest in heat tape. These products are relatively cheap and they’ll save you from a lot of unnecessary trouble in the long haul. Of course, you should consult a local plumbing service to help you with the installation.
Other than that, make sure to keep the rooms where the pipes are located as warm as possible. When the temperatures become extremely low, keep one or two faucets working. The water running through the pipes will prevent them from freezing and bursting. Check the temperatures inside of your home regularly, and never let the temperature drop below 32F.
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Inspect your pipes as frequently as possible
If you want to prevent burst pipes inside of your home, then you should make regular inspections to check if everything is running smoothly. There’s a limit to what you can do, but if you’re able to notice any signs of a potential burst, you’ll be able to prevent it in time.
The things you should look for when you’re inspecting your pipes include any dents or disfigurements, small cracks and leaks, corrosion, weird smells, lack of water (esp. during winters!), and changes in watercolor.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to call a reliable plumbing service. Do not try to fix your pipes by yourself! Some of these issues can be an indicator of a much larger plumbing problem, so it’s always better to leave it to the professionals!
All in all, check your pipes regularly and make it a habit. It only takes a couple of minutes and it could potentially save you from having to deal with burst pipes and the damage they cause.
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Prevent corrosion
If your pipes are made of steel, there’s nothing you can do to prevent them from corroding. Still, if you manage to discover the early signs of corroding pipes, you should replace them with new ones.
Other than that, if you want to ensure there are no problems with corrosion in your plumbing system ever again, you should consider replacing your steel pipes with copper or plastic ones.
Whatever you do, make sure to avoid corrosion at all costs. You should consult the professionals to help you determine and regulate the water pH levels. Also, keep different metals away from each other and keep all structures stable.
If you suspect corrosion on your pipes, make sure to call your local plumber to prevent them from bursting.
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Regulate your water pressure
There are many causes of high water pressure in your pipes. According to apexdisastermanagement.com, the water pressure inside of your pipes should never reach above 60psi. So, if you notice that it does, contact a plumbing service immediately.
High water pressure can damage pipes to the point of bursting. As previously mentioned, many different things can cause it, and it’s not easy for an amateur plumber to determine the exact cause. This is why it’s absolutely crucial that you find a reliable plumbing service near you. Whatever you do, do not ignore the sudden rises in your water pressure, as it could be an indicator of a huge problem inside of your pipeline. If you decide to ignore these problems, you could be facing pipe bursts in the future, and prevention is always better than cure.
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Be careful of what goes into your drains
Clogged pipes are never a good thing! They could cause the rise of water pressure and sudden pipe bursts! Keeping your pipes clean is of the utmost importance, so make sure you do not let anything that could potentially cause clogging to pass through the drains.
Make sure to clean up after yourself after washing your hair, do not pour grease and oil into the sink, and keep your pipes as clean as possible. A good indicator of clogged pipes is a slow drain. Of course, if it’s only at one place in your home, your pipes are probably okay, and you only need to unclog that one specific drain. If you do not want to use strong chemicals, there’s a lot of DIY unclogging tutorials online. Still, if your whole house is suffering from slow drains, chances are there’s a larger issue at hand. If this is the case, do not attempt to solve it yourself.
The takeaway
Dealing with burst pipes can be extremely difficult and expensive. Prevention is the only way to avoid this. Make sure to inspect your pipes frequently, do not let them freeze during the cold winter days, and be careful of what goes down your drains. Also, always remember to check the water pressure levels, look for signs of corrosion, and keep your pipes as clean as possible.
Noticing pipeline issues is easy, but some problems require professional help. A plumbing professional will be able to find the cause of the problem quickly and they’ll have the right tools to fix the issue. Hiring a plumber will save you a lot of time, effort, and potentially money, so don’t hesitate to do it.
All in all, burst pipes are something that should be avoided at all costs. Preventing it from happening may require a bit of effort on your side, but it will all be worth it once your pipes are problem-free