During the season of popsicles, barbecues, and sprinklers, you do not expect burst pipes. Many homeowners believe they only have to watch out for burst pipes when temperatures are freezing. Burst pipes happen more often than you probably expect during the summer. The FitzGerald and Sons Plumbing Company crew can help with your burst pipe quickly and properly. The most common reasons for a burst pipe include:
Construction—Heavy equipment doing landscaping, grading, installing hardscapes, pools, etc. can exert enough pressure on soft ground to cause a water service line to break. It’s always best to locate underground water lines and irrigation lines before you allow equipment to travel across your yard. Water service lines usually take a path from the water meter or well, to the point of entry at a home, in as straight a line as possible. This might make it easier to locate. If you suspect a damaged or broken line, seeing a wet spot in the yard, etc., shut off the water at the meter and locate the line at the wet area. Some homeowners opt to do the repairs themselves while others quite often opt to call a professional.
Corrosion—Older pipes can become rusty and weak. This is especially problematic for older homes built prior to 1970. The best way to avoid a burst pipe from corrosion is regular preventative maintenance. You can correct a small issue before it becomes a major repair down the line. Often we recommend replacing galvanized piping if possible due to the nature of the piping and that it is usually old enough that it is corroded. There are still a lot of homes with plastic piping that is subject to burst from pressure or damage. We often recommend replacement of these water lines as well.
Faulty Piping – Plastic, copper and even iron piping are all subject to bursting when the pipes are faltering or broken. If you feel you may have damaged or broken piping, the best thing to do is to shut off the water either at the meter or at the service entry at the house and wait until the pipes can be examined to determine the extent of the damage. FitzGerald & Sons can repair burst piping and restore your home’s plumbing.
Whether you are being proactive with maintenance or needing emergency help, reach out to FitzGerald and Sons Plumbing Company. We are standing by to help with all your plumbing concerns!