Burst Pipes: Tips To Prevent Water Damage

Water damage can be one of the most devastating things to a home or business owner. It could be an emergency water leak in the ceiling, slab leaks, or burst pipes.

Burst pipes are some of the key reasons property owners face extreme challenges when attempting to stem the tide of water damage.

Not to mention a long road toward reconstruction after extensive water damage. So, how can you prevent water damage? By ensuring your pipes don't burst.

And, if the pipes burst, what to do to mitigate the damage as much as you can. As a repair and restoration company in the Inland Empire, Five Star Restoration has had its share of fixing burst pipes all over Southern California.

As such, it's time to examine the leading causes for this nightmare scenario and help you prevent costly water leaks and damage.

What Causes Burst Pipes?

So, why do pipes burst? There are a few key reasons.

Freezing And Burst Pipes

A common reason why a pipe would burst is due to freezing temperatures. When it gets cold, the water flowing from outside into your home's pipe network can freeze.

Then, after accumulating in certain areas within the pipe network, pressure inevitably builds. The result? Burst pipes in the dead of winter.

For those in colder temperatures, not all hope is lost. You don't have to just accept that pipes will freeze.

Here are some helpful ways to help prevent or lessen the impact of freezing pipe bursts.

Just remember, if your pipes do freeze, turn off the water main and call a plumber if you suspect a frozen pipe.

How To Prevent Pipes From Freezing

• Keep your home warm. Overall, keeping your home at a warm temperature helps keep pipes warm. It’s no guarantee that pipes won’t experience freezing, but warming your home at least staves off any immediate danger.
• Insulating the water pipes if possible. If you can, insulate your water pipes to retain heat and prevent freezing from occurring.
• Leaving the taps on to drip, especially on colder nights. If your area experiences frigid temperatures, especially at night, it’s worth leaving the taps on to have a constant flow of freshwater moving through the pipes.

In short, your goal to prevent the worst-case scenario is to maintain a constant, warm temperature in the pipes. If you can do that, freezing pipes aren't as likely.

However, burst pipes aren't just the product of a cold snap or long winter months.

Water Pipe Corrosion

Sometimes, water pipes have severe wear and tear. Corrosion occurs for several reasons like soil conditions, water acidity, and for us Californians, earthquakes and other seismic events.

And corroded pipes can cause massive amounts of environmental damage, as exhibited by a South Carolina-area pipe burst in February 2022. A corroded pipe caused half a million gallons to flow into a creek after it burst. In this case, constant exposure to saltwater quickly ate away at the integrity of the water pipe.

Regardless of the exact reason for water pipe corrosion, it's a serious concern for any property owner. As you can imagine, corroded water pipes are easily susceptible to bursting after time.

Unfortunately, the only true preventative measure against corroded water pipes is replacing them with newer, sturdier materials. New pipes ensure you won’t have to worry about corrosion for a long time.

High Water Pressure

High water pressure causes burst pipes, regardless of freezing conditions. 

Some common causes for high water pressure in your pipes are:

• Clogs
• Pipe movement due to weather conditions
• High pumping speed
  

When you expect something is amiss with your water pressure, be sure to call a plumber as soon as possible. It could point to an impending water pipe burst or an existing one.

What Do I Do If I Have A Burst Pipe?

It’s crucial that you immediately shut off your water main and call an emergency plumber. The longer a pipe burst can wreak havoc on your property, the worst the resulting water damage will be.

Here are some quick tips for dealing with burst pipes

• Turn off the water main. This is always step number one. Turn off the water source to help mitigate the effects of burst pipes quickly.
• Drain your faucets of any remaining water. Even if taps are off, they contain an amount of water. Take the pressure off of water pipes by emptying them out
• Clean up. Take care of any minor water damage in your area to mitigate further damage.
• Call home repair and restoration experts to fix your burst pipes. Although you may be tempted to try and fix a burst pipe on your own, it’s best to leave it to the experts. You don’t want to potentially add to the existing water damage of your home. Make sure it’s done right.

Consequences Of Burst Pipes

When the worst occurs, it’s essential to repair damaged pipes as soon as possible since there are terrible consequences for not acting quickly enough. 

• Mold growth. As with any instance of mold spore meeting a water source, burst pipes can inevitably lead to dangerous mold growth.
• Property damage. We cannot stress enough the devastation water damage brings upon the property. Whether it’s your furniture, flooring, or even structural integrity, your home or business is at risk.

Conclusion: Five Star Restoration And Burst Water Pipes

Don't let a preventable problem become a devastating disaster. Protect your home and possessions from extensive water damage by following our various tips to prevent burst pipes.

But if your pipes have already burst, it's time to act. Call us at 951-368-2227 for a diagnostic of the problem areas, and we'll go from there. If the water damage results in toxic mold, we can help you with mold removal services, too.

Serving the Inland Empire and Northern San Diego since 2016, Five Star Restoration believes in helping you overcome your problems, all with an unparalleled customer experience. We're a community, and people in a community need to help one another.

Whether it's burst pipes, going over fireplace safety, or getting around to that kitchen remodel, we're just a phone call away.