Burst pipes are a terrible, expensive and stressful problem for homeowners. For many people, the thought of burst pipes is daunting. One day you’re simply living your life and enjoying all the benefits of having a running faucet or running toilet, then before you know it, everything is flooded and you need to take care of things quickly.

This blog post will review the causes of burst pipes, how to avoid them and what to do if it happens to you.

What causes burst pipes?

Burst pipes are caused by a build-up of pressurized water in your household pipes. This is usually caused by a leak in the system that needs to be repaired. Burst pipes can be hazardous because the water pressure inside them can cause them to explode and send powerful jets of water everywhere. If you see any leaks or cracks in your pipes, please call a plumber right away to minimize the risk of burst pipes.

Burst pipes are caused by several factors such as aging pipes, heavy use, or even a sudden change in temperature. Although it’s not always possible to prevent burst pipes, there are some things that you can do to reduce the risk they happen

Here are 6 steps to help you prevent burst pipes:

#1 Don’t forget to drain your garden hoses

Burst pipes can be caused by freezing temperatures, especially when the exterior hoses are not fully drained and disconnected. The best way to prevent this is to disconnect them completely during times of freezing weather.

#2 Do some DIY insulating

There are two ways you can protect your plumbing pipes from freezing in the winter: insulation or heat tape. Pipe insulation is a type of foam that is wrapped around the pipes to protect them. Heat tape loops around the pipe and then drapes on top of it to keep it warm. The downside to these options is that they are labor intensive and expensive, but they do keep your pipes free from bursting when the temperatures drop below freezing.

#3 Keep your faucets running

One of the most common causes of burst pipes is turning off the water. If you want to avoid this, make sure that your faucets are running even if you don’t need any water at that moment. You can get a timer for the faucet so that it runs for an allotted amount of time.

#4 Check for leaks

The first step to preventing burst pipes is to watch for leaks. The signs of a leak may be a bubbling sound, water pooling around the pipe, or a drop in water pressure. 

If you haven’t noticed any leaks, consider checking your pipes for dry rot. Dry rot is a common problem in older homes with galvanized or lead pipes. These types of pipes get brittle over time, and will eventually start to leak. Monitoring the water pressure gauge in your home can show if there are leaks.

#5 Keep your furnace going

One of the main reasons a pipe will burst is from water freezing inside the pipe. To prevent this from happening, you should keep your furnace going during the winter. It will cost more money to run the furnace, but it will save you a lot of money in repairs later on.

#6 Prep Your Plumbing Before Holiday Vacation

You may not think about your pipes when you’re planning for a vacation, but if you are leaving the house for an extended period of time, it is important to consider your pipes. Bursting pipes can be a big problem and lead to expensive repairs. Some simple precautions you can take to avoid a problem include turning off the water to your home, opening the faucet in the highest point of your house so that there is no more pressure on the pipes, and shutting off any appliances that use water in case they cause anymore issues. 

Bonus Tip: Call us!

Bathrooms and laundry rooms are common places for burst pipes, but there are other areas of the home that may also be vulnerable. A water leak or poor installation could cause a pipe to burst. Signs of a leak include unexplained wet spots on floors or walls, bubbling, or discoloration. If you notice any of these signs, it is important to contact a professional immediately. Our experienced Toronto plumbers can identify potential problems before they develop into something more serious. We offer 24-hour emergency service so you never have to worry about leaks in your home again.