Stop Burst Pipes Before They Cause a Disaster
Plumbing is a very underappreciated amenity in modern society. Instead of spending time during the day tracking down and purifying water, everyone has access to safe and clean water inside their home at multiple points of use. However, with all of that convenience comes some liability.
Utilities make homes easy to live in, but none are so dangerous as the plumbing. Without warning, pipes can burst and cause flash flooding in the home, ruining floors and walls, and sewer lines can rupture, exposing people to untreated waste.
Luckily, preventing burst pipes can be done fairly easily simply by taking steps to combat the most common causes. Here are a few of the most common causes of burst pipes so that homeowners can more effectively protect their homes from plumbing problems.
Prevent Clogged Pipes
To understand how clogged pipes contribute to burst pipes, it must first be understood that there are two types of plumbing in a home: high-pressure and low-pressure. High-pressure water lines are what are used to transport fresh water around the home. Low-pressure piping is used in drain and sewer lines. They are low-pressure because gravity is usually the only force needed to make them drain.
Low-pressure pipes have negligible pressure put on them under normal circumstances. However, there are conditions where pressure can build up inside them to the point that they burst. When clogs obstruct the flow of waste through sewer pipes, the conditions are perfect for a ruptured pipe. Routine drain cleaning is the best way to prevent these since it can remove latent clogs before they cause serious problems.
Protect Exposed Piping
Due to local climate conditions, maybe the most common cause of burst pipes is a result of freezing temperatures. Frozen pipes tend to burst because as water freezes, it expands. This causes tremendous pressure inside the pipes that can split even the best plumbing materials, sending water rushing out.
To stay safe from the cold, exposed pipes should always be covered in pipe insulation. Pipe insulation is easily installed for DIYers and professionals alike, and it can prevent major headaches during the winter. Always inspect pipe insulation at the beginning of the winter to ensure it keeps pipes safe from low temperatures.
Deal with Corrosion Properly
Copper and various types of steel are common plumbing materials. Unfortunately, these base metals are very likely to oxidize during their service in a home. Oxidation, or corrosion, is the biggest enemy of metal pipes and is largely why most homes are now plumbed with plastic-based materials.
Luckily, there are ways to protect metal pipes in the home. The first step is to ensure preventative maintenance is always done. Having a professional inspect and maintain the water heater is a great start since the water heater will show signs of corrosion before anything else. Additionally, homeowners should avoid chemical drain cleaners as they chemically oxidize metal on contact, ruining metal piping.
About Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has local experts dedicated to protecting homes. With emergency service, they can quickly respond to burst pipes. For expert plumbing installation and repair in Northfield, MN, call today.
