What's Making Your Pipes Burst? Reasons Explained

The sudden burst of a water pipe can be a messy, costly, and frustrating experience for any homeowner. Water spewing uncontrollably from broken pipes leads to flooding, water damage, and expensive repairs. To avoid this headache, it's important to understand what causes pipes to fail in the first place.

We'll provide tips to reduce your risk and catch early warning signs before a pipe failure causes catastrophic destruction. Read on to learn what makes pipes burst and how you can stop it from happening in your home.

Frozen Pipes

One of the most common causes of burst pipes is freezing. When temperatures dip below freezing, water inside pipes expands as it turns to ice. This expansion puts pressure on the pipe, eventually causing it to rupture or crack. Escaping water can leak for days before the pipe fully bursts, flooding large areas of your home.

Pipes located along exterior walls or in uninsulated areas like attics and crawl spaces are most at risk. Protect your pipes by maintaining adequate heat, insulating your pipes, and allowing faucets to drip during sub-freezing weather. Keeping cabinet doors open under sinks can also allow warmer air to circulate.

Water Hammer

You may have heard loud banging in your pipes when a faucet or appliance using water is suddenly turned off. This is called water hammer, and it's caused by surges in water pressure through pipes.

When flow stops abruptly, fast-moving water slams into a closed valve or elbow, creating a shock wave. The force can weaken pipe joints and connections over time, leading to cracks and burst pipes.

Installing water hammer arrestors absorbs these pressure spikes and protects your plumbing. Strapping pipes to prevent movement also helps. Turn water on and off slowly to avoid banging and reduce the effect.

High Water Pressure

Municipal water pressure can vary, but exceeding 80 psi puts significant stress on pipes and plumbing fixtures. Chronic high pressure causes fatigue on materials until something gives way.

Faulty pressure regulators are often the culprit, improperly allowing high pressure through. Installing a whole house regulator and adjusting to 50-60 psi can prevent over-pressurization damage.

Inspecting your plumbing after periods of high pressure can catch leaks before pipes burst. Listen for whistling or hissing noises near connections and valves.

Corrosion

Over years of use, corrosion eats away at pipe walls from the inside, weakening them significantly. Chemical reactions between pipe materials and minerals in water slowly disintegrate the metal. Eventually, corrosion diminishes the structural integrity until pipes can no longer contain pressure.

Selecting corrosion-resistant materials like PEX or PVC can help, along with adding sacrificial anodes for steel pipes. Water softeners reduce mineral content, while pipeline coatings add protection.

Inspection programs should include checking pipes for advanced corrosion. Schedule replacement of deteriorated lines before failure occurs.

Pipe Movement

When pipes aren't properly secured, movement caused by water flow can loosen joints and fittings. This flexing action weakens the connection points and compromises seals. Eventually, joints separate or crack under pressure.

Anchoring pipes with brackets at vulnerable points prevents damaging movement. Flexible connections like swing joints can also compensate for shifts without breaking.

Loose pipes in walls and ceilings are difficult to detect. Listen for rattling and banging noises that can indicate movement. Schedule annual inspections to identify loose pipe issues.

Aging Infrastructure

Outdated and deteriorating infrastructure is a common factor in many pipe bursts. Older homes may have aging pipes nearing or exceeding their lifespan, making them prone to failure.

Galvanized steel pipes installed before 1960 are particularly problematic due to internal rust and corrosion. Lead pipes from before 1930 also degrade and weaken over decades of use.

Replacing antiquated pipes during renovations or targeted repairs can mitigate risk before bursting occurs. Annual inspections help identify problems early.

Tree Roots

Trees search extensive areas underground for moisture, often finding their way into minute cracks or loose pipe joints. Slowly growing roots eventually clog drains, rupture pipes, and penetrate sewer lines.

Planting trees a minimum of 10 feet from plumbing lines provides a buffer zone. Regular rooter service clears smaller blockages before they cause pipe damage. Severe root intrusions may require pipe replacement.

Annual video inspections also detect root overgrowth before major failures. Catching root problems early better protects your plumbing.

Improper Installation

Incorrect pipe installation causes stress points prone to failure over time. Poor joining techniques, unsupported runs, and improper slope/alignment add physical burdens pipes weren't designed to handle.

Ensuring plumbers follow building codes and manufacturer specifications reduces installation defects. Careful planning of pipe routing and proper training help avoid problems.

Post-installation inspections by a certified plumber identify flaws for correction before occupants move in. Early detection makes repairs simpler.

Temperature Fluctuations

Just as freezing causes burst pipes in winter, rapid heating also strains plumbing. As temperatures rise, pipes expand seeking space. With nowhere to go, joints and seals experience intense pressure.

Proper insulation around pipes and regulating indoor temperatures prevents over-expansion and pipe movement. Allowing faucets to drip during rapid temperature spikes releases pressure buildup.

Monitoring weather forecasts helps anticipate conditions conducive to pipe failure. Early preparations minimize risk when extreme temperatures loom.

Climate Change

Global climate change brings more frequent and intense bouts of weather once considered extreme. Prolonged droughts followed by unprecedented rainstorms create the perfect conditions for burst pipes.

During droughts, dry conditions cause soil to shrink and shift, exerting new stresses on pipes. When record rainfall follows, excess groundwater and flooding can quickly damage pipes in new, unanticipated ways.

Upgrading older plumbing systems and improving resilience prepares homes for the effects of climate change. Proactive maintenance and diligent monitoring helps too.

Human Error

Well-intentioned homeowners tackling DIY plumbing projects often create more problems than they solve. Accidentally nicking supply lines with tools or failing to turn off water before soldering pipes almost guarantees a burst.

Poor maintenance like neglecting leaks or loosening joints while attempting repairs also leads to failure. Cross-threading pipes, overtightening fittings, and using improper materials speed demise.

Education, checklists, and leaving plumbing to the professionals reduces accidents. But when tackling DIY, patience and care are key. Rushing through repairs heightens the likelihood of errors.

Burst pipes lead to extensive property damage and massive headaches. But by understanding what typically causes pipes to fail, you can take proactive steps to protect your plumbing.

Monitor pressure levels, insulate pipes, keep trees away, replace outdated lines, and hire certified professionals. Make maintenance and regular inspections priorities. Follow manufacturer recommendations and building codes during installations.

You can help prevent burst pipe disasters with vigilance. Catch problems early and your home's plumbing will provide a lifetime of leak-free service.