As subzero temperatures settle in, your plumbing has water resting along its length from normal home use. As the water freezes, it expands, along with the pipe. Eventually, ice blocks the pipe entirely. Because the faucet is mostly turned off during the day, pressure between the blockage and fixture starts to grow. As the faucet is turned on and off to access water, the pipe undergoes stressful expansion and contraction pressure against the walls. At some point, the pressure becomes too great, causing a burst to occur. Contrary to popular thought, the ice itself is not the damaging agent but the pressure between the ice and fixture.
A burst pipe is typically an emergency that our plumbers can address. Large or hairline pipe cracks allow water to flow uncontrollably into your home. If a burst pipe is not dealt with properly, and in a timely manner, the home may flood. Mold, property damage and expensive bills are a direct result of a burst pipe, depending on its location.
If you have a burst pipe that is under your foundation, it is critical to shut off the water at the main valve. This shut-off procedure stops all water from entering the home’s plumbing. If water continues to flow under a home’s concrete slab, the soggy soil affects the structure’s stability. Foundation cracks and soil heaving become a true threat to the home’s livability. A plumber must come out immediately. Water flowing from an accessible burst pipe can be stopped by shutting off the local water valve. Place a bucket under the burst pipe and call Powell’s Plumbing in Norfolk. We must repair the burst pipe before the area is used again.
Call Powell’s today and experience plumbing service the way it should be local, professional, and done right. Schedule Now!
