Burst Pipe Repair

One of the most common plumbing emergencies we have seen in the plumbing business is that of burst pipes, whether in the home or in public building systems. A lot of things may cause burst pipes, but the main cause is freezing conditions. Other common causes of pipe failure include age, misuse and/or damage. The basic piping system is often under pressure, and any fault in the piping will only get worse over time and eventually lead to total breakdown.

This is exactly as bad as it sounds, as the impact of a burst pipe can be dramatic and devastating all at the same time. A burst pipe is no joke, as it can put people out of their homes due to damage and lack or running water, and can even close entire buildings or areas of town for a number of days; on top of that is the costly damage to property.

With the recent population boom in the Denver Metro area, there is now overcrowding in our cities. This has led to the integration of several complicated plumbing systems such as waste disposals, boilers and even garden features in our homes. A burst pipe in your home is simply the worst thing that can happen to you. This is not just because of the cost of the repair, stress or even any inconvenience you feel while being fixed. But, due to the vast amount and cost of damage the water can do. Often times, when a pipe bursts in the ceiling or floor it may take weeks or even months before it gets noticed. In fact, the first indication you may have is when a bulge appears on your roof or the water flows in a torrent.

Frozen pipes cause burst pipes
The most likely culprit of burst pipes in your home will be freezing temperatures on unprotected piping. Pipes burst when frozen due to the expansion of water as it becomes ice. This increases the internal pressure of the pipe and something has to give. This is often the soft copper shell or plastic of the pipe. Breaks can also occur at the weaker joints or in the middle of the pipe. Piping is designed to be invisible so most of the piping in your home is hidden in flooring, roof spaces or walls. This is why the damage caused by a burst pipe can be so devastating.

Luckily, there are some preventative actions you can take to reduce your risk of a burst pipe. When preventative measures don’t work, we always recommend you call Flatirons Plumbing service for your burst pipe emergencies. As you will be unable to get to most pipes, and there will be pipes that you may not even know exist, your first move when you notice a burst pipe is to get to your water shut off at the stopcock as quickly as possible.

At this point, Flatirons Plumbing knows exactly what is needed to do and has the equipment to repair the burst pipe. Please call us if you have any questions or need an emergency plumbing service call.