Broken pipes at home are not a good thing. You should not delay and call a professional plumber to fix your pipes immediately. When your pipes break down, you can’t help but wonder what went wrong. But you also wonder why pipes break in the first place. Here’s what you should know about broken pipes, why it happens, and how to fix and prevent them.
What causes pipes to break?
Broken pipes may randomly happen, but they could be annoying and stressful. But when it does happen, people can’t help but wonder what went wrong and what you could have done instead. Here are common reasons why pipes break down:
- Improper waste disposal (including food and hygiene products) can lead to corrosion, clogs, and eventually, broken pipes.
- Tree roots seeking out water could infiltrate your pipes in the process. It is one of the major contributors to broken pipes, especially on your water and sewer lines.
- High water pressure. The normal water pressure should only be between 40-60 PSI. More than that, it could not be good for your pipes and even affect your appliances and fixtures that rely on water.
- Poor plumbing system maintenance will most likely increase the risk of breaking your pipes.
- Your pipes might be old and have corrosion signs, so you have to replace them immediately!
How to prevent pipe damage
Pipe damage should be preventable as long as you know what to do. Here are important tips to remember to prevent pipe damage:
Don’t throw everything down the drain.
Food and hygienic products should not be thrown down the drain because they can cause pipe blockages, clogs, and damage. Rice/pasta, oil, grease, coffee grinds, eggshells… basically any food item you can think of, should be disposed of properly, not flushed down the drain.
Plant trees away from pipelines.
If you are just about to plant trees, avoid pipelines to prevent tree root infiltration. You can also call a professional plumber to help you find your pipes so you can plant trees away from them.
Avoid using harsh chemicals on your drain.
Ditch the harsh drain cleaners for your pipes if you don’t want them to corrode your lines and cause unnecessary leaks.
Protect your pipes from harsh outdoor weather.
Make sure to protect your pipes from too much cold or too much heat. Some of the best practices you can do for your pipelines are the following:
- Let your water faucets drip
- Insulate outdoor spigots
- Leave the cabinet doors open under the sink so that warm water can circulate inside the pipes
Check water pressure
It is better to buy a water pressure regulator if you have high water pressure. If you have low water pressure, it could be because of lime and scale buildup. It is most likely to happen if you have hard water at home. In this case, you might want to check the water treatment options available to lessen the buildup and improve water quality.
Look for professional plumbers near you.
It could be tempting to DIY plumbing tasks at home. It is up to you to do things independently as long as you know what you are doing. Otherwise, it is better to leave it to the experts. Contact a professional plumbing service in Columbia, TN, for your pipe and drain solutions!
