How Do You Avoid a Plumbing Disaster?
A burst pipe in the home can have devastating — and expensive — consequences. Not only does it create the hassle and inconvenience of temporarily living without water and needing to call a plumber for repairs, but the water damage can ruin cabinetry, flooring, walls, and even seep through ceilings, and encourage the growth of mold in your home.
While we include some tips to help prevent frozen and burst pipes below, it is not always necessarily avoidable. If you do experience a frozen or burst pipe this winter, call The Plumbing Works for fast, reliable, and affordable burst pipe repair.
What Causes a Frozen or Burst Pipe?
If you own a home and live in a region that experiences cold winters, you’ve most likely been concerned about the possibility of a frozen or burst pipe before.
If a pipe is not properly insulated or stays in cold temperatures, the water inside the pipe can freeze and expand. The pressure then builds up from the ice blocking sections of the pipe, and without faucets open, the pressure has nowhere to go. This causes the metal or plastic pipes to burst in weak points.
Pipes that are at risk for bursting include ones that are rusted or damaged, old or outdated, and pipes that lack insulation or are located in areas of the home where they do not receive a proper amount of heat, such as behind cabinets or in basements.
How Can I Prevent A Burst Pipe?
A burst pipe may sound scary and cause you to consider moving to a warmer state to avoid the risk, but you don’t have to relocate. There are preventative measures you can take to help protect your pipes during the winter months.
If you are aware of pipes in your home that lack proper insulation or reside in at-risk locations, you can apply heating tape on the exterior of your pipes. The tape includes an electric filament that heats up once it is plugged into an electrical outlet. This technique is a short-term fix, so if you are looking for a long-term solution, you may want to consider investing in additional insulation around your pipes. This method may be a little more expensive than the heating tape, but the foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves around the pipe can help decrease the chances of it freezing.
An additional tip to prevent pipes from freezing is to leave all cabinet doors open. This will allow the warm air to circulate around the pipe. Also, make sure to leave garage doors, windows, and exterior doors shut to avoid exposing pipes near exterior walls to the cold weather.
Keep the heat up in your home this winter. Some homeowners may be tempted to turn down the heat if they leave for a mid-winter vacation or while they’re at work during the day to save money, but this will only cause a bigger expense in the future if a pipe bursts. When you are home, periodically run hot water from the taps to relieve pressure and keep the pipes above freezing temperatures.
What Should I Do If a Pipe Does Burst?
If you notice any of the warning signs that your home may have a frozen or burst pipe including frost on the exterior of the pipe, lack of water running out of the tap, or an odd smell coming from the faucet or drain, call The Plumbing Works immediately at 610-510-8503 for emergency and same day service.
A burst pipe is considered a plumbing emergency and can disrupt your daily routine. After you call us, turn off your water at the main water supply to minimize flooding and water damage to your personal property. Employing a professional to resolve burst pipe problems and replace the damaged pipe correctly is always the best option. We make sure it is repaired properly so you do not have to experience future problems. Call The Plumbing Works for service you can trust.
