What Causes Pipes to Burst?

Few household calamities are as stressful as a burst pipe. They cause significant water damage and often require costly repairs. Understanding what causes these plumbing nightmares is the first step to prevention and peace of mind. This comprehensive guide explores the common culprits behind burst pipes, equipping you with the knowledge to safeguard your home.

Pipes burst for various reasons. The most common culprit is pressure. Water expands as it freezes. This expansion puts immense pressure on pipes. Even a small amount of frozen water can cause significant stress. This stress often leads to pipe failure. Read on to learn the most common causes of burst pipes.

Cold weather poses a significant threat to plumbing. As temperatures plummet, water inside pipes can freeze. When water freezes, it expands, creating tremendous pressure within the pipe.

This pressure can cause even the sturdiest pipes to crack or burst. This is especially true for pipes located in uninsulated areas, like exterior walls, attics, and crawl spaces. Here is how to tell if your pipes might be at risk during cold snaps:

• Unusual noises: Gurgling or banging sounds from your pipes could indicate freezing.
• Reduced water flow: If you notice a significant decrease in water pressure, your pipes might be partially frozen.
• Frost: Frost on your pipes or visible ice formation is a clear sign of freezing.

Water pressure is the force exerted by water moving through your plumbing system. While some pressure is necessary for water flow, excessive pressure can stress your pipes. This stress can lead to leaks, cracks, and even bursts.

Pressure anomalies, like sudden surges or prolonged high pressure, are particularly problematic. They can occur due to various reasons, including:

• Malfunctioning pressure regulators: These devices regulate water pressure entering your home.
• Thermal expansion: Hot water expands, increasing pressure within the system.
• Water hammer: This phenomenon occurs when water flow abruptly stops or changes direction.

• Install a pressure regulator: A pressure regulator maintains a safe and consistent water pressure level.
• Check your water pressure: You can purchase a water pressure gauge at most hardware stores.
• Address plumbing issues promptly: Leaks, clogs, and other plumbing problems can affect water pressure.

Different pipe materials have varying lifespans and vulnerabilities. Understanding the age and type of pipes in your home can help you anticipate potential problems.

For example, galvanized steel pipes were once commonplace but prone to corrosion. Over time, corrosion weakens the pipes, making them highly susceptible to bursts. Other materials, like copper, have a longer lifespan but are not immune to age-related deterioration.

As pipes age, they become more susceptible to:

• Corrosion and rust: This weakens pipe walls, making them prone to leaks and bursts.
• Mineral buildup: Hard water can leave deposits inside pipes, restricting water flow and increasing pressure.
• Joint fatigue: The points where pipes connect are particularly vulnerable to leaks and bursts as they age.

• Visible signs of corrosion: Rust stains, discoloured water, or a metallic taste in your water can indicate pipe corrosion.
• Frequent leaks: Multiple leaks, even minor ones, often signal a larger plumbing problem.
• Older home: If your home is several decades old and has original plumbing, having a plumber assess your pipes is a good idea.

Corrosion is a gradual process that eats away at your pipes from the inside out. This weakening of the pipe walls makes them incredibly vulnerable to pressure changes, increasing the risk of bursts. Several factors contribute to corrosion in plumbing systems:

• Water Chemistry: Your water’s pH level and mineral content can accelerate corrosion. Acidic water, for example, is particularly corrosive to metal pipes.
• Electrochemical Reactions: Dissimilar metals in contact with each other and water can create electrochemical reactions that promote corrosion.
• Stray Electrical Currents: While less common, stray electrical currents can flow through plumbing systems, accelerating corrosion, particularly in metal pipes.

• Water Treatment: Consider installing a water softener or neutralising filter to address corrosive water chemistry.
• Proper Pipe Selection: Use corrosion-resistant materials, like PEX or CPVC, especially for moisture-prone areas.
• Cathodic Protection: This technique uses a sacrificial anode to attract corrosive elements, protecting the main plumbing system.

While often considered a minor inconvenience, clogs can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. A clog restricts water flow, creating a localised pressure buildup behind the blockage.

This pressure puts immense stress on the pipe walls, increasing the risk of a burst, especially at weak points or joints.

While tempting, harsh chemical drain cleaners can do more harm than good. These corrosive chemicals can damage your pipes over time, weakening them and making them more susceptible to future problems. Also, improper drain snakes or plungers can lead to pipe damage.

• Hydro Jetting: This method uses high-pressure water to blast away even the most stubborn clogs without harming your pipes.
• Camera Inspections: Plumbers use specialised cameras to inspect your pipes for blockages, identifying the exact location and cause of the problem.
• Preventative Maintenance: Regular drain cleaning by a professional can help prevent future clogs and keep your plumbing system running smoothly.

Even the highest quality pipes are vulnerable to bursts if improperly installed or maintained. Incorrect installation can lead to problems, including improper slopes, misaligned connections, and inadequate support, which can stress the system and lead to premature failures.

Hiring a licensed plumber ensures your plumbing system adheres to building codes and best practices. They possess the knowledge and experience to:

• Choose the right materials: A plumber considers water pressure, soil conditions, and other factors to select appropriate piping for your home.
• Ensure proper slopes: Correctly sloped pipes allow for efficient drainage, preventing clogs and pressure buildup.
• Create secure connections: Professionals use reliable techniques and materials to ensure leak-free joints and connections.

Consistent upkeep is crucial to a healthy plumbing system. Here are some essential maintenance tasks to avoid plumbing emergencies:

• Check for leaks: Regularly inspect under sinks, around toilets, and near water heaters for any signs of leaks or drips.
• Inspect exposed pipes: Look for signs of corrosion, sagging, or damage on exposed pipes, particularly in uninsulated areas.
• Schedule professional inspections: Having a licensed plumber inspect your plumbing system annually can help identify potential problems before they escalate.

It’s easy to overlook, but the ground beneath our feet is unstable. Earthquakes, landslides, and even subtle shifts in the soil can put stress on buried water pipes. These environmental factors can cause pipes to crack, separate at joints, or even rupture entirely, leading to costly and disruptive water damage. Things to look out for include:

• Unexplained Cracks: Check your foundation, walls, and floors for cracks, especially new or widening ones
• Doors and Windows Sticking: If doors and windows suddenly become difficult to open or close, it could indicate structural shifts impacting your plumbing.
• Recurring Leaks: Frequent leaks in the same area, especially near exterior walls, might signal pipe damage due to ground movement.

• Flexible Piping: Consider using flexible pipe materials, like PEX or PVC, for water lines. These materials can withstand minor ground movement better than rigid pipes.
• Seismic Retrofitting: In earthquake-prone areas, consult a structural engineer about seismic retrofitting. This process strengthens your home’s foundation and framing to withstand seismic activity better.
• Professional Inspection: If you suspect ground movement has damaged your plumbing, contact a licensed plumber immediately for a thorough assessment and repair.

While you control your home’s internal plumbing, the municipal water supply often dictates the water pressure delivered to your property. Excessively high pressure from the main can overwhelm your plumbing system, stressing pipes and fixtures beyond their limits. Fortunately, you can take control of this unseen force:

• Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV): This device, typically installed on the main water line, acts as a gatekeeper, regulating pressure entering your home. It’s an essential investment for safeguarding your plumbing from excessive municipal water pressure.
• Water Pressure Gauge: This inexpensive tool measures the pressure in your system. Connect it to an outdoor faucet to get a reading. Ideally, pressure should be between 40 and 60 psi.
• Contact Your Water Utility: If you suspect consistently high pressure from the main, contact your local water provider. They can assess the situation and may be able to adjust the pressure at the source.

• Hammering Noises: Loud banging or clanging sounds within your walls when using water-based appliances often indicate a problem called “water hammer,” often caused by high pressure.
• Frequent Leaks: Recurring leaks, especially at pipe joints and connections, can indicate excessive stress from high water pressure.
• Premature Fixture Failure: If faucets, showerheads, or other fixtures wear out or break down quickly, high water pressure may be the culprit.

While often hidden from view, your plumbing system is vulnerable to a range of external threats that can cause structural damage, leading to leaks and bursts, including:

• Construction Mishaps: Nearby excavation, digging, or even renovations in your own home can damage buried water lines if proper precautions aren’t taken.
• Invasive Roots: Tree roots naturally seek out water sources. Over time, they can grow around, and even into, pipes, causing cracks, blockages, and eventual breaks.
• Shifting Soil: Expansive soils, commonly found in Australia, can shift and move with changes in moisture content. This movement can put pressure on buried pipes, leading to damage.

• Safe Digging Practices: Always contact your local utility company before digging to locate and mark underground lines, including water pipes.
• Root Barriers: Install physical barriers around your home’s foundation and near water lines to prevent invasive root growth.
• Proper Backfill: When refilling trenches after repairs or construction, use appropriate backfill material and compact it properly to minimise future soil movement.

Like all materials, pipes expand and contract with temperature fluctuations. While this natural phenomenon might seem insignificant, this constant cycle of expansion and contraction can weaken pipes, leading to stress fractures, leaks, and even bursts over time. The strain of temperature swings can be evident with:

• Hot Water Systems: Pipes carrying hot water experience the most significant expansion. When hot water flows through cold pipes or vice versa, the rapid temperature change can cause significant stress.
• Extreme Weather: Dramatic shifts in outdoor temperature, especially in areas with harsh winters or scorching summers, can put additional strain on pipes, both indoors and outdoors.
• Improper Installation: Pipes installed without proper allowances for expansion and contraction are more susceptible to damage.

• Expansion Loops: These strategically placed loops in piping allow for expansion and contraction without stressing the entire system.
• Expansion Joints: Similar to expansion loops, these flexible connectors absorb movement and prevent damage at connection points.
• Insulation: Insulating pipes, especially those exposed to temperature extremes, helps to moderate temperature changes and reduce expansion and contraction stress.

While a burst pipe can occur anywhere in your plumbing system, some locations are more susceptible than others:

1. Exterior Walls and Uninsulated Spaces: Pipes running through exterior walls, attics, crawl spaces, and under sinks are particularly vulnerable to freezing temperatures, especially if they lack adequate insulation.
2. Points of Exposure: Areas where pipes transition from heated to unheated spaces, such as where they enter or exit your home, are prone to temperature fluctuations and potential freezing.
3. Joints and Connections: The points where pipes connect are often weaker than solid sections, making them more susceptible to leaks and bursts due to pressure changes, corrosion, or movement.
4. Older Pipes: As pipes age, they naturally weaken, making them more vulnerable to bursts regardless of location. Older homes with original plumbing are particularly at risk.
5. High-Traffic Areas: Pipes located under sinks, behind toilets, and in other frequently used areas are more likely to experience stress from clogs, blockages, and temperature changes, increasing the risk of bursts.

Regular inspections, preventative maintenance, and promptly addressing potential issues using a licensed plumber can significantly reduce the risk of a burst pipe, regardless of the location.