Pipes carry water throughout a house, snaking back and forth through walls, in ceilings, and even under the floor. While this makes achieving water flow and pressure in any room easier, it also opens up an unsuspecting homeowner to potential catastrophe areas nearly everywhere in the house. When a water pipe burst situation becomes apparent, the damage from the broken pipe can cause can be very costly and take a long time to fix, becoming a real hassle in the long run. Thankfully there are some honest businesses like Dr. Pipe that will fix it professionally without taking “”short cuts”" that compromise your plumbing.
When a water pipe bursting problem occurs, it happens because when water freezes, it expands. Weak stress points in the pipe line, such as joints or elbows can’t take the pressure of the expansion, cracking or breaking under the combined stress of the ice and the pressure of the water behind it. While pipes are typically insulated with foam or a similar material to prevent a broken pipe or a water pipe burst, some areas of the pipe line may be exposed to freezing temperatures in the winter, whether by faulty insulation or design. Because a water pipe burst doesn’t necessarily make any noise, a homeowner might not know of the problem until it’s already very severe.
Thankfully, this problem is easily prevented! Simply turn the taps on a very slow drip or trickle when the temperature starts to sink into the freezing range. Wonder how such a small act can preserve your pipes and prevent water pipe bursting? Water freezes more quickly when it’s “”standing”" in one place. Much like the way a lake will freeze over enough to be used for ice skating but a river can’t be trusted to do the same, moving water usually can’t get cold enough to freeze. By leaving some running through your pipes, especially overnight when temperatures tend to be at their lowest, you ensure there is no standing water that can freeze and expand.
In addition, it’s a good practice to get into your basement or crawlspace where exposed pipes may be vulnerable to temperatures and check the insulation. If it looks worn or is missing altogether, you will want to re-wrap your pipes as insurance against water pipe burst issues. The little you spend on insulation or a professional opinion will be far less than the cost of a messy broken pipe cleanup!
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