A burst pipe is one of the most startling plumbing emergencies homeowners can encounter. Your pipes might suddenly crack in the middle of the night, or you might come home to gushing or spraying water in the kitchen. When you suddenly find a burst pipe in your home, call 1-800-Plumber +Air of Youngstown, OH, to handle the emergency. We're available 24/7 for sudden plumbing problems, and we provide free upfront pricing before getting straight to work.
Learn more about what can cause burst pipes, some signs you have a burst pipe in your home or on your property, and why it's so important to call a burst pipe plumber in as soon as possible.
Burst Pipe Causes
Burst pipes are a sudden emergency, but many busted pipes will develop warning signs over time. Read about some of the most common causes of burst pipes so you can assess your home and protect your pipes before damage sets in.
Frozen pipes: During the winter, homes are at risk of developing frozen pipes. Cold water enters the pipes, where it sits stagnant and can start to freeze. Because frozen water expands, this puts a lot of pressure on your pipes. It can deform them, make them move, or even cause cracks. Then, if you heat up the pipe too fast, the pipe will shatter, or water will start gushing through the cracks.
Clogs: Similar to ice, clogs inside your pipes can put a lot of pressure on the pipe walls or joints. Over time, the pressure will build, and the trapped fluid will try to seep out through any available cracks. If it can't find an escape, it can burst through the pipe.
Shaking and movement: Water hammer, vibrations, and sharp movements can shatter the structural integrity of pipes. Also, if your home's foundation settles, this could put a lot of pressure on the pipe and cause it to snap.
Wear and tear or corrosion: Over time, pipes accumulate damage. The pipe may wear through due to the water's pH, the pipe could become corroded, or wear and vibration could cause damage. When this happens, the pipes become more and more vulnerable to changes in water pressure and all the other causes of burst pipes on this list.
Signs of a Busted Water Pipe
If you have a busted water pipe in a very visible location, such as right under the kitchen sink, it will be easy to detect. However, burst pipes can be hard to find. Keep an eye (and ear) out for these signs of busted pipes:
Changes in water pressure indicate that something is unexpectedly drawing on the system
Wall and ceiling stains, which indicate water damage if a pipe bursts behind the walls
Dripping, gushing, or splattering sounds
The smell of water; you might also smell metal depending on how much pipe damage there is and mildew if the pipe has been damaged for a while
What Do You Do If Your Pipes Burst?
If a pipe bursts in your house, turn off the water supply. You may be able to shut off the localized supply for a fixture or appliance if the damage sits between the shut-off valve and the endpoint. Alternatively, you can shut off water to your home's interior or even shut off your property's water from the municipal shut-off outside near the edge of your property. Next, call an emergency plumber as soon as possible. They can replace the pipe and repair the damage. Plumbers can also assess your plumbing system and determine the likely cause of the problem so you can prevent it in the future.
Stay Calm and Let 1-800-Plumber +Air of Youngstown Handle Your Burst Pipe Crisis
Burst pipes are a plumbing emergency, and our team of licensed plumbers at 1-800-Plumber +Air of Youngstown, is ready to solve it. We're available 24/7 for plumbing emergencies and expert assistance, whether you have frozen pipes, corroded pipes, or anything in between. Call us for a prompt appointment, and we'll assess the problem, give you free upfront pricing, and get the work done.
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