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.
High Pressure
Pressure. Excessive water pressure can cause stress on your plumbing leading to leaks and burst pipes. If you hear banging from your pipes (known as a water hammer) this is a sure sign of high water pressure. It may mean that the water pressure from your supplier to your house is too high.
Another symptom of a burst water pipe is water marks on the wall. Most pipes run behind the walls and if they're leaking or burst, they can leave marks on the wall. You may also notice dampness on the walls or squishy parts. Call a plumber to check it out before you find yourself with a bigger problem.
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.
In a winter cold spell, water pipes may develop ice and form a blockage. If left untreated, this can lead to increased pressure, causing the pipe to burst. A burst water pipe in your home can cause more than $5,000 in damage, so it's important to act quickly. Follow these steps to help minimize the damage.
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.
Look for actively dripping water and signs that water is leaking out of sight, such as damp drywall, rings on the ceiling, unusual odors or bubbling, banging, clanking or whistling noises. Finally, examine any exposed pipes, looking for frost, condensation or bulging areas. Inspect unheated areas of your home.
Improper and weak pipe connectivity can easily expose your pipes to high pressure. This, in turn, acts as the point of bursting when pressure builds up. To prevent such problems, you need to ensure that pipe connections get proper reinforcements.
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.
Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
Structural Damage – if your clog is not immediately addressed, the pipes can burst and cause other structural damage to your home. In addition, your toilet might back up and flood your bathroom floor.
As the ground around a pipe freezes and heats, the pipes expand and contract – sometimes causing a rupture. Pressure changes can also occur when fire hydrants are either opened or closed too quickly. This is called water hammer. When the pressure inside a water main changes, it can cause the pipe to burst.
So, the question is: just how cold does it have to be for pipes to burst? Your pipes are at risk of freezing any time temperatures drop below 32°F. However, it's much more common for pipes to freeze when temperatures dip below 20°F.
Metallic sounds like clangs and rattles are common when a pipe bursts. Water shakes the pipe when a burst occurs, so you hear more noises from the pipes when it bursts. Most of the time, new pipes are silent, so listen for changes if you notice any of the other signs.
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.
Leave the heating on to keep pipes from freezing
Your home will be exposed to sub-zero temperatures and the devastating consequences of repairing significant damage should pipes burst. Keeping the heating on means that water in pipes will remain at a constant temperature and should not get cold enough to freeze.
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.
One sign that a pipe has burst is seeing watermarks on surfaces, such as walls and ceilings. These spots are usually darker than the surrounding surface and are slightly cooler and squishy when touched. In addition, paint and other coverings often expand because of the water they have accumulated from the burst pipe.
After a while, the intense pressure bursts open your pipes from which water can leak out. Typically, a destructive force ranging between 25,000–114,000 PSI can easily make your water pipes expand and rapture. Because of the damage from frozen pipes, your plumber may suggest that you have all your faucets put on a drip.
With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze. Prevent temperatures from dropping below 32 degrees in any area of your home where water lines are located. An expert licensed plumber will be able to locate potential pipe bursts and prevent them from happening.
The rule of the thumb is that it takes roughly 6-hours for water in your pipe to freeze after left in an unheated area. Meaning if you lose power at your home and the weather is reaching below freezing point, you have approximately 6-hours until the pipes will begin to freeze.
When water freezes, it expands, which can create pressure in your pipes and cause them to burst. So your pipes can potentially burst when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the time it will take for them to burst depends on just how cold it is and for how long.
The Heat: There is hardly any rain during summer, which means the soil is left loose and dry. This allows room for water pipes to shift. As this happens, there are high odds for the pipes to burst. In fact, the surging summer heat is the main reason why a lot of water pipes burst at this time of the year.