Pipes burst all the time, usually without any warning whatsoever, flooding rooms and basements with hundreds of gallons of water in mere minutes. The damage can be devastating and expensive to repair, but luckily there are things you can do to prevent it from happening in the first place. According to a qualified plumber in Scarborough, here are the top four causes of burst pipes and how to prevent them.
One of the most common reasons for a pipe to burst is due to invasive tree roots. As trees grow, their roots spread out in search of water and can often times end up wrapping around pipes. This puts pressure on the pipe which can cause it to break or burst. To prevent this from happening, you should have your trees regularly trimmed and make sure that they are not too close to your home’s foundation or plumbing in Scarborough.
Another reason for pipes to burst is freezing. When water freezes, it expands and puts pressure on the pipe walls. This can cause the pipe to crack or even break. To prevent your pipes from freezing, insulate them with foam pipe insulation or electric heat tape. You can also let a trickle of water run through them during cold weather. The best way to ensure that you won’t have a frozen pipe is by having anti-freeze in your pipes year round.
When water can’t flow freely through the pipe, it puts pressure on the sides of the pipe and can cause it to burst. To prevent this, make sure you regularly clear your drains of any hair, soap scum, or other debris. You can also pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down your drain once a month to help keep things clear.
With regular maintenance by a plumber in Scarborough, these methods should not be necessary. If you find that they are needed more often than monthly, then there may be something else causing the problem such as an old garbage disposal or pipes that are running too close together.
When water pressure is too high, it puts stress on the pipes and can cause them to break or leak. You can prevent this by having a professional install a pressure-reducing valve on your main water line. This will help keep the water pressure at a safe level and protect your pipes from bursting. In some cases, it may also be necessary to install valves in individual faucets so that you can lower the water pressure in that particular fixture if need be.
Plumbing problems can be frustrating and costly, but they’re also avoidable, especially if you understand the most common causes of burst pipes. While your plumbing may not always be top-of-mind, it’s important to keep tabs on its condition so that you can address issues as they arise before they snowball into bigger problems down the road. Talk to a 24 hour plumber in Scarborough today for assistance.