Let s face it; no one likes to deal with the inconveniences, costs, and repairs caused by bursting pipes. So, why do these pipes suddenly bust all of a sudden during the winter months? Basically, the cold water coming from your house is generally much colder than it used to be during the warmer months. Additionally, the cold temperature causes your pipes to expand and in weaker areas, the pipe may burst.
How to repair a burst pipe
There are several different things that can cause your warm air pipes to expand and some of them are naturally occurring. For instance, trees and shrubberies may be blocking the warm air from entering through your home’s doors and windows. As trees and shrubs continue to block the passages, your pipes will soon begin to freeze. This will force the cold air and freezing water into your outer walls, ceilings, and flooring – leading to a rupture in your pipes.
Another natural reason for expanding water pipes in the winter is the loss of heat from heating systems in your home. As the temperature drops, heating units take longer to bring heat to your home and then the unit shuts off, sometimes leaving the water pipes cold. This can be particularly frustrating if you have elderly or disabled family members living in your home.
It’s also possible for your warm air to expand as the cold air settles and expands on top of warm water pipes. This can happen if the weather is especially cold, causing temperatures to dip below freezing for extended periods. While this normally isn’t a serious issue, it can lead to a burst pipe if the cold air isn’t quickly followed by warm air. As a result, pipes may freeze. The resulting burst often results in an embarrassing and expensive overflow, but it can be fixed more easily than most water repairs are.
Most of these common plumbing issues can be avoided by making a few simple adjustments to your heating and cooling settings. You should try to leave as much room as possible between the outside and inside of your house, so that cold air can freely flow around your home. If you live in an older house, it’s likely that your central air conditioning system has a built-in mechanism for opening and closing doors. You can simply follow the instructions outlined in your HVAC system’s manual, adjusting the flap on the door that seals against the outside. In some cases, you may also need to adjust the thermostat to a setting that’s lower than your home’s normal room temperatures. You’ll know that your system needs to be shut down because it starts to get colder outside.
When you’re a plumber is able to successfully repair your burst pipe, he will advise you to buy a new one. It’s not usually an easy decision – there are so many different models and brands of heating and cooling systems available that it’s often difficult to narrow it down. But your plumber will tell you that buying a new system with newer technology can help you avoid having to make repairs to your old piping again. In some cases, you could save up to two dollars per month by buying a brand new appliance.