One of the primary aspects of your house’s infrastructure is its plumbing system. Even a small amount of pipe damage can have a strong effect throughout the house. In worst cases, it can also affect the functioning of pressure valves, faucets, and other fixtures.
Even though most pipe issues can be fixed easily, we should never underestimate the expenses and trouble posed by a broken pipe. Jacksonville homes are often susceptible to the issue of broken pipes, and the only way to deal with them is by understanding what causes them and what they can unleash on the infrastructure as a result.
Why Do Pipes Burst?
A common phenomenon that causes a pipe to burst is frozen water. During the winter season, it’s possible for water inside pipes to freeze. As a result, the wall of the pipes expands, undergoes immense pressure, and eventually breaks or ruptures.
In the frozen state, it’s also possible for the water particles to come close to each other and become heavier due to increased density. Again, it results in extra stress on the pipe, causing it to break.
In rare cases, the plumbing quality is also responsible for causing pipes to break, but if you’ve been using a pipe for years, it’s bound to become corroded and lose its structural integrity somewhere down the line.
What Are the Possible Consequences Of a Broken Pipe?
Sometimes we may not realize that a pipe is broken unless we’re faced with a sudden instance of bursting. In this case, it can easily cause some form of damage to the furniture and other belongings in the household.
FLOODING
In extreme cases of water leakage, there may also be flooding, and residential flooding is a whole other dilemma to deal with. In fact, the damage done to your belongings in the process may never reverse.
EXPENSES
If it comes to the point of flooding, you may have to seek refuge in temporary accommodation along with bearing the damage expenses. Other than that, pipe repairs can easily dig a hole in your pocket. Additionally, if you’re dealing with the damage on a large scale (more than one burst pipe), you may even have to consider replacing the entire plumbing system.
HEALTH RISKS
One of the biggest consequences of broken or burst pipes that we often seem to ignore is health risks. Stagnant water, if not dealt with immediately, can make you sick due to humidity and the formation of mildew and mold. As a result, you can develop respiratory problems such as wheezing, throat infections, eye irritation, and asthma.
INJURY
While this is a rare occurrence, we cannot discount the possibility of an injury in case of a pipe burst. People standing close to the source at the time of the burst can get injured.
How to Prevent It
We know far too well the costs and inconveniences caused by a broken pipe. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here’s what you must do to minimize the risk of a pipe burst.
- Keep an eye on the thermostat and make sure that your heating system and boilers are serviced regularly.
- Make sure to check any vulnerable corners or spaces in your house (with water pipes) for insulation.
- Disconnect the hoses and turn off the external taps.
- Ensure effective heating in the winter months to prevent the water in your pipes from freezing.
What to Do If You Find a Frozen Pipe
If you do come across a frozen pipe, don’t wait for it to burst and take action immediately. Expose the area to subtle heat by using a hot water bottle, a heater, or a hairdryer after turning the water supply off. Avoid using any items that may expose the pipe to extreme heat, such as a blow torch or other sources of an open flame.
If the pipe ends up bursting before you can do anything, turn the water supply off immediately before there’s any additional damage. If the leakage has reached an extent where you think that it may come in contact with electricity, turn your power source off and call an electrician immediately.
The Final Call
In the end, plumbing emergencies are never easy on the mind as well as the pocket. As a homeowner, you’d be better off without them. However, as much as you would want to avoid them, certain external factors can still result in causing them, and this is when you need a good plumbing professional to come in. Metro Rooter’s 34 years of service to Jacksonville definitely gives it an edge over other facilities in town. Call them at (904) 567-3775 for an evaluation today.