Preventing Broken Pipes During the Rainy Season
Winter is typically thought of as the hardest season on your plumbing. Indeed, cold temperatures can cause major plumbing problems. However, spring is also hard on your home’s plumbing system. The transition from the cold-to-warm saturated ground causes external forces that can do more plumbing damage than most people expect.
Drains that are cracked by the movement of the subsoil can open up and allow debris in, unfortunately, this can lead to a clog. Plumbing vents can become clogged by wind-blown debris or animal activity, causing sewer gas to enter the home.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage a burst pipe might do. Furthermore, with a little careful planning, you can prepare for any plumbing emergencies you might face.
Heavy Rains Mean Excess Water Pressure
Water pressure can build up inadvertently in the soil around your home’s foundation and pipes. As the soil saturates with repeated spring rains the soil expands and becomes heavy. The repeated cycles of expansion and contraction put lots of stress on the joints of your plumbing.Over time, the joints become weakened and can lead to a total burst if the waterline has pressure on it. Furthermore, the heaviness of the mud sitting on top of the underground pipes can stress it to the point of failure.
The expanding soils can also be hard on your home's foundation. As your home settles down into the surrounding subsoil your pipes can become stressed and crack, leading to a slab leak. Slab leaks are particularly disruptive because of the invasiveness of the repair process.
How to Avoid Burst Pipes
There are a few things homeowners can do to prepare for and prevent pipe bursts. Firstly, verifying pressure in your pipes is the most important thing you can do. Water pressure is regulated to keep it at a safe level. However, the regulators can fail and allow too much pressure to flow through your pipes. That, coupled with stressed pipes, can lead to a burst.
Having your pipes inspected is another step you can take for preventative maintenance. During an inspection, note the location and material of your pipes. A plumber might even open up a section of your plumbing system to inspect for internal damage to the pipes.
Expert Repairs for Burst Pipes
If you find that you have had a pipe burst, calling a professional plumber will most likely be necessary. Most plumbing companies have people on call so they can respond to your call immediately. Once onsight, a plumber will locate the leak.Leaks can be located visually if it occurs above the slab of your home. If the leak is below your slab, plumbers have specialized microphones that can detect the leak through the slab. Plumbers will also work to determine the root cause of the burst.
Modern plumbing materials take into account the fact that expansion and contraction stresses out pipes. If the plumber discovers your pipes are made of older, stressed material, they may recommend repiping a section of your plumbing. This will prevent spring pipe bursts permanently.
About Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning has a team of plumbers serving Danbury, CT. Their services include burst pipe repair, repiping and bathroom remodeling. Team members are available 24 hours a day to quickly respond to your needs.
