Why Do Water Pipes Burst?

You may need a repair to one of your property's water pipes for any number of reasons. Faulty washers, loose connections and damaged components can all make a typical plumbing system come under strain. However, these do not always require immediate attention. With a burst water pipe, on the other hand, there will be fluid escaping everywhere. You may need to turn your stopcock off until you can get a burst pipe repair carried out for you by a qualified plumber. Even so, there may be plenty of water damage to deal with in the meantime. Always act quickly in the event of a broken pipe to prevent as much damage as possible. What are the main reasons you might need a burst pipe repair in the first place?

Frozen Water

This is a big issue for businesses and residences that are located in the far south of the country. If the temperature ever gets to sub-zero levels at night in the wintertime, then exposed pipes can be susceptible to bursting. This is because water that turns to ice expands as it does so. Since pipes cannot accommodate solid water at the same capacity as liquid water, a frozen pipe may well burst open.

High Pressure

It is the internal pressure of ice that means you might need a burst pipe repair in winter. However, it can happen during the summer months, too. If the mains pressure supplying your property is not regulated well enough, then conventional pipes may not be strong enough to contain it. Bursting will often occur at the weakest point, such as the joins between two sections of pipework. Most domestic pipes can only cope with a maximum water pressure of 500 KPA. If your supply exceeds this, then an emergency repair may be required.

Corrosion

Although the majority of water pipes that are used inside buildings are made from copper and are consequently corrosion-resistant, problems can still occur. Very old copper pipes and those made from stainless steel which has been exposed to corrosive materials may slowly deteriorate which means that water will tend to start seeping out before, eventually, rupturing and requiring a repair job.

Blockages

Pipes will also burst if there is a blockage in them. Even a partially blocked up pipe will not allow water to flow as freely as it once did. This means that behind the blockage, pressure can be building up all the time and only slowly being released. If it reaches a high enough point, then this pressure will lead to a bursting pipe with all of the hassles that entails. Always have pipes you think might be blocked checked out by a plumber or you may need a burst pipe repair down the line.

For more information, contact a burst pipe repair service.


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