Tell-Tale Signs that a Pipe is About to Burst
Having a pipe burst in the home is like being smacked in the face with a water balloon. It’s shocking, it’s explosive, and it leaves a big mess. Burst pipes can spray water all over the room or leak down behind the cabinets, under the floorboards, and into adjacent rooms. The cost of repairing a burst pipe as well as any additional damage can be thousands of dollars. That’s one payment no homeowner wants to make!
Unfortunately, burst pipes are more common in the winter because frozen pipes are a leading cause of bursts. So how can this situation be avoided? There are a few signs that every homeowner should know and pay attention to in order to fix a frozen pipe before it bursts.
Is There an Uneven Water Stream?
When turning on a faucet or shower, the stream of water should be even with a given amount of pressure. However, when pipes start to freeze, ice blockages can prevent the water from flowing out of the faucet or other fixtures evenly.This is one of the most common signs of a frozen pipe and needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Not only should homeowners fix it because of the possibility of a burst pipe, but also because of the inconvenience. Most people have showered in a hotel or another house where the water pressure was really weak.
It’s not a fun experience, and it’s not something most people want to deal with consistently in their own homes. Make sure to take note of which faucets and fixtures have an uneven water stream as this can help a professional determine which pipe(s) are frozen and need to be fixed.
Is There Frost on the Pipes?
Remember that one kid in kindergarten who tried to lick a frozen pole and got his tongue stuck? If not in real life, most people have seen something similar to this in a movie. So what is frost? It is a thin layer of ice quite common on poles or a playground, but it shouldn’t be common on the home’s water pipes. Some symptoms of frozen pipes are easier to spot than others.
Frost on the pipes is one of the more obvious signs. If there’s frost on the outside of the pipes, there’s likely ice on the inside of the pipes. However, many people still miss it! Homeowners should regularly check any exposed pipes to look for frost. It’s an easy-to-catch sign, but only if people are looking for it.
Is The Water Always Cold?
Ice baths are good for some things, but they aren’t so refreshing when the expectation is a nice, toasty shower. When the water is always cold, even when the hot water knob is turned all the way up, it could be a sign that the pipes are frozen.The water is likely being mixed with formed icicles causing the water to always be cold. Similar to the first check, this is not only an issue because of the possibility of a burst pipe but is also inconvenient.
No one wants an ice-cold shower after shoveling snow for an hour. Fixing the frozen pipes and getting hot water back seems like a much better option.
About Captain Rooter Emergency Plumbers Chicago
Captain Rooter is a full-service Chicago plumbing company. Since 1998, their specialty has been providing reliable emergency services. No matter what time they’re called, they will answer with live help and dispatch a plumber to the property as soon as possible.
