And it expands with tremendous force: The pressure inside pipes may go from 40 pounds per square inch to 40,000 psi! No pipe can hold that much pressure, so it breaks open. The break may occur where the ice forms, but more often, it occurs where water pressure finds a weak spot in the pipe.
High Water Pressure
Water pressure is crucial for proper plumbing. The recommended pressure for most domestic water pipes is 40 to 45 psi. If the pressure exceeds 60 psi in your house, the result can be bursting pipes that may explode.
The excessive water pressure may exceed the pipes' structural capacity to withstand force, leading to a sudden burst. Apart from the volume of water, hard water can also deposit some minerals into your plumbing network. These minerals can gradually accumulate and cause your pipes to burst.
Pipes are most likely to burst when exposed to below-freezing conditions for six hours or more, which can happen throughout winter and early spring. Burst pipes could lead to a disaster, bringing severe water damage to your home.
This is most likely to happen when underground pipes are not buried deeply enough. Excessive water pressure in a home is a major cause of pipe damage, leaks, and wasted water. Water pipes are designed to withstand a certain maximum level of water pressure.
Bursting of water pipes is one of the common plumbing issues that homeowners have to contend with. Whether in the house's plumbing network or the supply pipes, water pipes can burst without warning, leading to a major repair that requires the attention of a qualified plumber.
Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
Make sure there are no gaps at bends, valves or fittings. Pay special attention to water tanks and pipes in unheated areas like loft spaces and garages, and check insulation in any property likely to be unoccupied for long periods. Fix dripping taps – even a small trickle can result in a frozen pipe.
Weakened sections of pipe may burst with a loud “popping” sound similar to a car backfiring. Although property owners usually don't hear pipes bursting, if you do happen to notice this sound consider requesting the assistance of a water leak detection plumber.
If you're suddenly getting low water pressure in one area of the house… ...the supply pipes to that area may either be corroded, leaking or blocked. If all the fixtures in an entire bathroom or the entire kitchen are suddenly getting low water pressure, you can trace the issue to the plumbing pipes.
A common situation that you might find yourself scrambling to handle is what to do when a pipe bursts and leaks inside a wall or ceiling. This devastating event can lead to tons of damage if you don't address it right away. Which is why it is critical to act quickly.
If you've had a pipe burst under the bathroom floor, behind the toilet, or any other place in your bathroom, you'll likely need a plumber and a restoration company to clean up the water damage. This is also true for a burst pipe in the bathroom wall.
Anything below 40 psi is considered low and anything below 30 psi is considered too low; the minimum pressure required by most codes is 20 psi. Pressures above 80 psi are too high.
Normal psi for a home pipe system is between 30 and 80 psi. While you don't want the psi to be too low, it violates code to be above 80. Instead, you should aim for a psi that's between 60 and 70.
Pipes typically burst when exposed to extremely low temperatures for an extended period of time (anywhere from 1-3 days depending on temperature). This is especially true for pipes located on exterior walls.
Patch With a C-Clamp
Start short-term repairs by cutting a length of old rubber hose or tubing to fit over and around the break. Position a wood block over the rubber piece, and secure it with a C-clamp. If the broken pipe surface measures more than an inch, use two clamps to tighten the patch.
In fact, of all piping types used for plumbing, copper pipes burst most easily when frozen. This is because copper conducts energy and loses heat more quickly than other types of plumbing. Copper also won't expand when the water inside freezes. Instead, it bursts or splits to accommodate expanding frozen water.
The good news is that pipe bursting repairs have a life expectancy that will exceed 50 years.
What to do in an emergency. If you suspect a water leak, you should contact a professional plumber as soon as possible. Don't delay – ignoring a leak can lead to more damage to your property. If you have a leaking or burst pipe in your home, you should turn off your water immediately.
Unfortunately, incidents like this do happen from time to time, whether it be because of frozen pipes, corrosion or water pressure causing badly-fitted joints to give way.
If you hear sounds from inside the walls, a burst pipe is possible. Water sounds, in particular, point to burst pipes. Drip sounds usually indicate a leak, but rushing water sounds are likely from a burst.
The extreme pressure caused by water hammer can blow out gaskets and cause pipes to suddenly rupture, causing serious injury to anyone nearby.
Damp Patches in Your Home or Yard
As water flows out of a burst pipe, you may notice damp or discolored patches on your walls, floors or ceilings. If the leak happens under a tiled floor, it could make the tiles feel wobbly or unstable. Don't forget to look for exterior signs of a burst pipe.