5 min read

Burst And Leaky Pipes Water Damage
As a city in a low-risk hurricane zone, water damage from hurricanes and tornadoes are unlikely to occur. However, it pays to remember that natural disasters are not the only sources of water damage. In reality, one of the leading causes of household water damage can be found inside your home: burst and leaky pipes.

What’s tricky about dealing with these plumbing issues is that they operate differently. When water pipes burst, gallons of water can flood your home within seconds. On the other hand, leaking lines can silently compromise your building, taking its time to reveal the damage it caused. When either occurs, knowing who to call for prompt water damage restoration in Oak Harbor, WA can help you get your property back to normal.

7 Common Causes of Burst or Leaky Pipes

A reactive approach isn’t the best way to address water damage from damaged or leaky pipes. Protecting your property and preventing these emergencies begins with understanding the common reasons why water pipes burst or leak.

  1. Corrosion

    Water lines can rust or become worn out over time, making them vulnerable to cracking. Unfortunately, bursting due to corrosion can occur without warning and catch you at inconvenient times.

    To save your home from water damage caused by rusty pipes, checking your lines regularly for signs of corrosion is a good practice. This is especially crucial if your plumbing system is old. You also want to watch out for discolored water from your faucet, which can indicate that your pipes are rusty and must be inspected soon.

  2. Clogs

    Clogs can also cause water lines to develop cracks and eventually rupture. When foreign substances like food debris and minerals accumulate within the pipes, water pressure can build up and cause them to deteriorate.

    It’s also worth mentioning that blocked drains can lead to backups in your house. Not only is this a messy situation, but it also poses a health risk, especially if waste and sewage are flowing back into your home. Minimizing the foreign substances that go down your toilet, shower and sink drains is a practical way to prevent clogs.

  3. Shifting Soil

    Underground pipes can also become damaged when soil conditions change. It typically happens due to nearby construction, erosion, seismic activity or other geological factors. When the soil around pipes shifts after these events, the movement exerts added pressure on the water lines, increasing their chances of bursting.

  4. High Water Pressure

    Excessive water pressure is another reason pipes burst. Pressure can build up in your water lines for various reasons, like faulty pressure regulators and temperature increases within your plumbing system.

    Pipes can only withstand a certain level of water pressure. If your home’s water pressure goes beyond 80 psi, have a professional install a pressure regulator or pressure relief valve to keep the numbers within a safe level.

  5. Tree Root Infiltration

    Although a rare occurrence, tree roots reaching your underground plumbing system can also wreak havoc on your property.

    As trees grow larger, their roots naturally gravitate toward sources of moisture, like your water and sewer lines. When they do reach your plumbing system, they can enter and grow inside the pipelines, causing blockages and ruptures.

    Your best defense against tree root infiltration is to plan your landscaping carefully and plant larger trees far from your pipes to keep them out of the roots’ reach.

  6. Poor Installation

    A poor soldering job or loose connections in your plumbing system can also lead to leaks and destructive fractures. This is why it’s critical to entrust your water line installation only to licensed professionals. If you notice any problems with your pipe connections, get expert help immediately before further damage occurs.

What To Do After Water Damage From a Broken Pipe

Water that enters your home after a burst or leaky pipe can also damage your building materials, furniture and other prized possessions. Cleaning up the mess and returning things to normal begins with removing the water as quickly as possible.

Here are the first things to do in case of a plumbing emergency:

  1. Stop more water from entering your home by turning off your main water supply.
  2. Turn off and unplug any electrical appliance near the water if it is safe.
  3. Contact your insurance company to know if your coverage includes accidental water damage.
  4. Take photos of the damage before discarding or moving anything.
  5. Remove any salvageable items and store them in a safe, dry place.
  6. Hire professional water damage restoration in Oak Harbor, WA, to extract the water and dry out your property swiftly.

Thorough water extraction and drying require more than a wet/dry vacuum and DIY solutions. After taking these first steps, it’s best to entrust the rest of the process to an experienced restoration company. With their expertise and equipment, they can restore your property and possessions adequately the first time.

Get Efficient Burst Pipe Cleanup and Water Damage Restoration in Oak Harbor, WA

Restoration 1 of Oak Harbor is here to help you get your life back on track after a burst or leaky pipe. We use modern equipment and industry-approved processes to repair water damage caused by plumbing emergencies. Please don’t hesitate to call us – we’re available 24/7 to assist you in this stressful time.