Amidst the beauty and perks of living in Tampa, Fl, homeowners face the commonplace concerns of everyday Americans. A pervasive worry is coping with a burst pipe and preventing ongoing damage or insurmountable expenses. Who do you call if you suspect your pipes burst? Are there ways you can stop burst pipes in the first place?
This article explores the seven most frequent causes of burst pipes. It also suggests a few ways to deal with a plumbing emergency.
Hard Water
Hard water is a fact of life in many areas. Tampa’s soil is particularly abundant in minerals like calcium and magnesium, leading contributors to hard water. While hard water is not dangerous to humans other than the occasional irritation, it can wreak havoc on pipes in a few ways:
- Corrosion of metal pipes
- Mineral buildup within the pipes – increases risk of clogs
- Narrow passages from mineral deposits increase water pressure
Clogs
Everyone has experienced a clogged pipe, which poses a frequent plumbing emergency. Hair and soap are the most common causes of clogs in the bathroom, while food particles combined with grease back up kitchen pipes over time.
Other culprits are sediment collection in metal pipes from erosion or chronic exposure to hard water. Although you may be able to clear a minor blockage with DIY options like pouring hot water down the drain or using a plunger, severe clogs warrant a quick call to a plumber.
Aging
Older houses and other buildings are usually home to aging pipes. Materials used in pipes over 100 years old, like steel, cast iron, and galvanized steel, suffer more dramatically from corrosion than modern components such as copper and polyvinyl chloride or PVC.
However, all pipes are subject to weakening with wear and tear over time. Additionally, metals react with chemicals that persist in water and soil. As water pipes become compromised, they may fissure along their lengths or leak through their joints.
Freezing
Although not a frequent issue in Florida, pipes can freeze in areas like Tampa, especially since you likely do not expect it. Outdoor and uninsulated pipes are particularly prone to freezing, even when a cold spell is short. Water pipes in the attic or basement are also vulnerable to extreme cold.
Ice expansion is often a direct cause of burst pipes. Frozen chunks can also cause narrowing within the pipes, blocking water flow and increasing pressure. When pipes burst from freezing temperatures, you may not detect it until conditions thaw and water begins flowing past a blockage. In such cases, you can experience a plumbing emergency and considerable property damage from flooding.
Excessive Pressure
High water pressure strains pipes and hastens wear and tear. Pipes can burst under sustained stress or rupture suddenly with abrupt pressure changes. A clog is one of the most common causes of increased water pressure through your pipes. Other reasons for high water pressure include a dysfunctional pressure regulator, an improperly closed valve, or an inefficient water heater.
Municipal water supply and pressure variations can also affect your home’s water pressure. Moreover, any disruptions in your plumbing system will affect your water pressure. For example, a leak causing low pressure in one area of your system can cause high water pressure elsewhere to compensate. Temperature changes that contract (cold) and expand (hot) volumes of water can cause burst pipes through increased pressure in localized areas.
Accidental Physical Damage
Like any other manmade structure, water pipes are susceptible to accidental damage. While adjacent construction can damage pipes, other incidents occur via landscaping and digging. Direct pipe damage is possible if someone drops heavy objects on a water main or cuts through it.
However, damage can also occur if the soil under a pipeline shifts or seismic disruptions happen because of earthquakes or engineering activities nearby. Even seemingly minor activities like hanging your clothes on an exposed pipe in the basement or laundry room can cause damage that will burst pipes.
Tree Roots
Plant roots frequently cause burst pipes, predominantly in locales with plentiful trees. Roots gravitate toward water and nutrients like phosphate and nitrate. They often grow near pipes because of the water. However, tree roots sometimes invade pipes, especially older water lines.
A preexisting leak draws tree roots more than an intact water pipe, but no water line is immune. PVC pipes are more resistant to tree root damage than metal pipes. Once a tree root damages a pipe or encounters an existing hole, it can enter where it causes clogs and increased water pressure. Tree roots can further damage and crack water pipes through expansion or crushing.
Got a Burst Pipe in Tampa, FL? Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
If you have a leaky or clogged pipe, your best course of action is to call a plumber. Minor water pipe problems can escalate quickly, leading to significant damage to your home and other areas of your plumbing. Your water lines can collapse from a burst pipe in one section. Ignored water leaks and clogs pose substantial risks of a catastrophic plumbing emergency with sky-high expenses and potential health ramifications.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing provides 24/7 emergency repairs and helps you meet maintenance goals to prevent common water pipe problems from developing. Whether dealing with an unexpected cold snap or a clogged sink you cannot clear, call (833)245-7793 or visit Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.