Burst Pipes

Common Causes of Water Pipe Breaks

A water pipe may break for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes include:

• Clogs – When a pipe gets clogged, water pressure can build up inside the pipe, causing it to break.
• Accidental Damage – Property owners or contractors might unintentionally break a pipe during renovation work or while performing repairs.
• Improper Installation – If pipes aren’t properly installed, it may lead to a wide range of problems down the road, including the risk of breakage.
• Tree Roots – Tree roots are naturally drawn to moist soil. If piping is set too close to a tree, root growth can eventually break through.
• Temperature Changes – Freezing and thawing cycles can cause pipes to expand and contract, leading to breaks.
• Aging Infrastructure – Older pipes made from materials such as cast iron are more prone to breaks due to becoming more brittle over time.
• Ground Settling – Soil movement can stress underground pipes, resulting in breaks.

Signs You May Have a Burst Water Pipe

Not all water pipe breaks are the same. Depending on the location and size of the burst pipe, it may result in flooding that is easily detected, or you may only develop a slow leak that stays hidden for a long time. Unfortunately, both scenarios can wreak havoc on your home or business, and it’s important to always be on the lookout for signs that you may have a burst pipe.

Some common signs that you may have a water pipe break include:

• Unusual Noises – Hissing, gurgling and trickling sounds coming from your plumbing system are often a sign that you have a burst pipe.
• Changes in Water Pressure – When water flows through a broken pipe, some of it will leave the pipe through the ruptured area, resulting in reduced water pressure when using faucets or showers connected to the burst pipe.
• Unpleasant Odors – Burst pipes that cause hidden leaks in your home or business will often lead to the development of mold and the musty odors associated with this issue.
• Bubbled, Peeled and Cracked Walls – Burst pipes that cause a hidden leak behind a wall can cause drywall to become damp. Over time, you may begin to see the paint on the wall begin to bubble or wallpaper begin to peel. You may also develop small cracks in the wall.
• Discolored Walls – Water damage from a burst pipe can cause streaks and stains to develop on your walls.
• Ceiling Stains and Bulges – A burst pipe can cause water to soak into the floor, causing damage to the ceiling below. This often appears as a bulge or circular stain in the ceiling.
• Higher Than Normal Humidity Levels – The water that leaks out of a burst pipe can get absorbed into the air in your home or business, increasing the humidity levels in the rooms near the broken pipe. This issue is most commonly found in laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements and attics.
• Dripping Ceiling Fixtures – When you have a broken pipe in an upstairs room or in your attic, you may see water dripping down through a ceiling fixture in the room below. While this most commonly occurs with recessed light fixtures, you can also see this issue develop with ceiling fans, track lighting or flush-mounted lights.
• Increased Water Bills – If you notice a spike in your water bills without any significant increase in water consumption, it may be a sign that you have a broken pipe. Even a small drip from a burst pipe can significantly increase the amount of water you use over the course of a month.

Steps to Take After a Burst Pipe

While you’ll need to work with a professional water damage restoration company to ensure your property is properly dried and all repairs are performed correctly, there are some initial steps you should take right after detecting a burst pipe. The following actions will help you minimize the damage caused by a water pipe break:

• Shut Off the Water – Shut off the main water valve to your home to prevent any additional water damage from the burst pipe. If you’re not sure where the main water valve is, contact a plumber immediately.
• Turn on Your Faucets – Turning on your faucets will help relieve the pressure in the pipes and allow any remaining water in them to drain out. This will help reduce the water damage caused by the burst pipe.
• Call a Water Damage Restoration Company – Call a water damage restoration company right away to begin the process of cleaning up and mitigating the damage. At JRCC Damage Restoration Experts, we offer 24/7 emergency response water damage restoration services and will arrive at your home or business shortly after receiving your call to begin work.
• Begin Removing Water – While you’re waiting for our team to arrive, you can begin removing excess water from your home or business. Use buckets or towels to get rid of any excess standing water. Keep in mind this is a preliminary step to minimize damage. It’s critical to have the water removal process performed by a water damage restoration company who can ensure the process is performed correctly.
• Contact Your Insurance Company – You’ll need to contact your insurance company within a timely manner to report the incident. Your insurance company can often help you find a licensed and reputable water damage restoration company and facilitate the repair process.

How to Prevent Water Pipe Breaks

There are several preventive measures you should take to reduce the risk of water pipe breaks in your home or business:

• Insulate Pipes – Use foam insulation sleeves on exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics, crawl spaces and garages.
• Keep Your Heat on When You’re Out of Town – Turning off the heat in your home when you’re out of town might lower your energy bills, but it can also increase the chances that a pipe will freeze and burst. Always maintain a minimum indoor temperature of 55°F to prevent this issue.
• Drain Outdoor Systems Before Winter – Drain sprinkler systems and outdoor hoses to prevent freezing.

JRCC Damage Restoration Experts Can Help After Burst Pipe Water Damage in Moses Lake and the surrounding areas

Burst pipe water damage can wreak havoc on your home or business. If not addressed promptly, you run the risk of significant structural damage as well as potential health issues due to mold growth. At JRCC Damage Restoration Experts, we can help you restore your property to its original condition.

We’ve been the leading water damage restoration company in Moses Lake and the surrounding areas since [Inception Year]. Our team is fully licensed and certified in Moses Lake and the surrounding areas, and we provide comprehensive water damage restoration services to address every aspect of the process, from initial assessment all the way through final repairs and reconstruction work. Our team has the experience necessary to handle any job, no matter the size of the property or scope of the damage.

In addition, we have extensive experience working with insurance companies and will coordinate with your provider on your behalf to facilitate a smoother claims process. This insurance assistance will reduce hassles and help ensure you receive the full benefits to which you’re entitled.