Anyone who has experienced water line damages knows how costly and inconvenient they can be. The water line, also known as the main water line, carries the water to your home, and damage to it can lead to major repairs or even the necessity of completely replacing the entire pipe with a new one. There are many causes of water line damages, so read on to learn about some of the most common ones that you should be aware of in order to prevent them from occurring!
Low Water Pressure
If your home has low water pressure, it could be a sign that you’re dealing with a broken water line. Low water pressure happens when there’s too much volume of water going through one pipe. This excess can put stress on your pipes and cause them to burst. Water line breaks happen more often in colder months when ice may build up and then melt, putting a lot of pressure on your pipes and causing damage to occur.
Frozen Water Lines
A frozen water line isn’t so much a cause of damage as it is an indicator that there could be a problem with your service. If water becomes inaccessible, pipes will freeze. This not only causes real damage to your home or business but also results in more expensive repairs when unfrozen. Make sure your home has insulation and is adequately warmed so that no pipes freeze while you’re away from home.
Abnormal Water Consumption
Consuming more water than usual is a common reason for broken water lines. If you suddenly notice increased water usage, contact your plumber immediately to check for leaks. More often than not, a small leak can cause big problems if left alone. Plumbers will locate and repair these damages promptly. Be sure to verify your plumbing system is maintained on a regular basis, especially if it has been awhile since you last had work done.
Bursted Main Line
If your home has low water pressure, it could be a sign that you’re dealing with a broken water line. Low water pressure happens when there’s too much volume of water going through one pipe. This excess can put stress on your pipes and cause them to burst. Water line breaks happen more often in colder months when ice may build up and then melt, putting a lot of pressure on your pipes and causing damage to occur.
Undetected Leaks
Sometimes water line damage happens gradually over time, and you may not realize it until it’s too late. A slow leak that has been going on for a long time is one common cause of water line damages. Fixing such a problem is difficult because it requires a professional with special equipment to find, which can cost thousands of dollars.
Constant Expansion and Contraction
Extreme temperatures can cause cast iron and copper pipes to expand and contract, putting stress on your plumbing system. Expansion and contraction from extreme temperatures can lead to cracks, breaks, or leaks in water lines. Many newer homes have PEX or PVC pipes that don’t expand at all. But if you live in an older home with cast iron or copper pipes it’s important to be aware of how temperature changes can affect your plumbing system.
Old Age Pipes
The most common cause of pipe failure is age. As pipes get older, they weaken and can break more easily. This doesn’t mean that pipes need to be replaced once they reach a certain age, but it does mean you should schedule regular inspections with a plumber who can tell you when an old pipe has become too risky for you to continue using safely.