Wondering why your water pressure is weaker than usual? Found a stain starting to form on your walls or ceiling? These issues may be a result of having broken or cracked pipes.
If you’re asking yourself, “how did this happen?” or you’re just genuinely curious on how a pipe can burst, then you have landed in the right place.
In this blog, we will highlight how these issues may arise; however, before reviewing the causes of broken pipes, let’s highlight the hazardous effects that can come from having cracked pipes.
The consequences you want to avoid
As previously mentioned, lower water pressure and wall/ceiling stains are two potential effects of a broken pipe; however, it doesn’t end there. There’s a whole host of implications that can arise from broken or cracked pipes, including;
- Cracks on the walls and ceiling
- Damp walls or floors
- Flooding
- Foul smells
- High water bills
- Mould growth
- Water discolouration
If you notice any of these potential hazards at your home or in the workplace then contact us immediately.
Causes of a broken or cracked pipe
Sewer pipes are made to last for 50 to 100 years. As a result of this, broken pipes are most likely not due to rust from old age, but it’s possible if your location has an older sewerage system.
Apart from age, there are many factors, both internal and external, that could lead to broken or cracked pipes.
Freezing
Freezing coming within the sewerage pipes is not due to the weather climate you’re situated in. It is a result of water, within the pipes, cooling down and reaching the freezing point of 0 degrees celsius. This can happen overtime and is quite hard to detect as water can still move through the pipeline. The freezing process starts in one spot and as it continues to freeze, the pressure builds up eventually causing the pipe to burst.
Tip 1: Ensure your pipes are insulated to avoid freezing happening within your water pipes.
Tree roots
Healthy tree roots are strong and unwavering in their nature. The roots from trees planted close to your piping network will grow and eventually reach the pipes. If this happens, the roots will start to press against the pipeline causing a build up of pressure. The pipes can only withstand so much pressure before reaching their breaking point.
Tip 2: To avoid tree roots disrupting your piping system, plant trees over 3 metres away. However, if tree roots have already been planted near your pipes, we offer pipe relining services which can help prevent broken pipes from forming.
Soil conditions
The pipe system can be damaged due to changes in the property’s soil condition. This usually occurs when construction or landscaping happens in and around the property. Another reason that can cause this is seismic activity, for example earthquakes.
Tip 3: Be on the lookout for potential effects of broken pipes after doing construction or landscaping around your property.
High water pressure
Pipes are made to handle a certain amount of water pressure, so if that is pushed to its limit that can lead to damaged pipes, leaks and even wasted water.
Tip 4: Normal water pressure registers between 50 to 80 PSI (pounds per square inch). Purchase a water pressure gauge from your nearest hardware store and measure the water pressure today.
Poor installation of pipework
If your water pipes were installed incorrectly by a novice plumber or someone without the necessary plumbing training, your pipes are more susceptible to breaking.
Tip 5: Call us on (02) 6430 7104 and our team of professionals can check if your pipes have been correctly installed.
Blocks and clogs
A blockage within the pipeline leads to a back up of water. When the water in a pipe clogs up, it can lead to higher water pressure and start creating small leaks. This will eventually cause the pipe to completely rupture.
Tip 6: Only allow for water and toilet paper to go through the piping system. Other products being flushed through the pipework are more likely to cause a blockage or clogging.
Be proactive, not reactive
If you notice any of the potential causes and effects of broken pipes, then take action immediately. Turn off your property’s main water supply and contact the experts here at Keogh Plumbing.
Don’t let these issues fester as they will only cause more damage overtime. More damage means you will have to dig deeper into your pockets to cover all the costs of fixing your broken pipes.
With over 10 years of experience, Keogh Plumbing have helped many residents and business owners prevent and minimise the damage broken pipes can cause.
Simply contact us now, so we can help swiftly resolve your issue and fix your cracked pipes.
