Burst Pipes Repairs
Frozen pipes
During the winter when the temperatures drop below freezing, homeowners may find that one of their water pipes burst. Due to weather conditions it may be some days before a plumber is able to attend your property to remedy the problem, and you may be facing additional complications like water damage or lack of water supply.
Due to temperatures dropping in winter, people may start to use their heating appliances for the first time, or may increase the use of it. Prior to colder weather it is advisable to get all of your pipes and heaters checked for any damage or defects to ensure that you do not end up with a home emergency at the worst possible time.
Burst pipes are caused by two things. The first is frozen water. The water that is in the pipes will freeze to ice when the temperature drops. As the ice expands it will then press against the pipe which will burst at the weakest point due to the increased pressure. The second cause is rust due to the age of the pipes.
Are burst pipes considered an emergency?
If the pipe that bursts is outside of your house it may disrupt the water supply into your home leading to a lack of fresh water. At the point of the break in the pipe, particles or substances could enter the pipe and contaminate the water that is getting through.
An internal pipe bursting could cause extensive damage to your home, especially if you are away at the time of the event. This can lead to problems with damp, mould or mildew due to the moisture entering the walls and floors which in turn could affect the health of all those living in the property.
In the case of a burst pipe either inside or outside of your home, contact an emergency plumber to come and fix the problem for you.
Avoiding burst pipes
There are steps you can put in place to avoid burst pipes. The first is to insulate all of your pipes during the milder weather so that when the temperature drops they are protected. Air leaks around the pipes will also need to be fixed as this can let cold air into the pipework.
If you have a clog inside your house you will need to get this fixed at the earliest opportunity as this is another cause of burst pipes.
Look after your pipes prior to winter to avoid any misery.