Why Pipes Are More Prone to Burst in the Winter and What You Can Do to Protect Your Home
PVC, copper, galvanized steel—no matter what material your plumbing is made from, a major leak can occur at any time, causing your home to be severely water damaged. Pipes are more likely to burst in the winter, sometimes with absolutely no early warning. In just a few hours, a burst pipe can leak water through every floor of your home. You can avoid experiencing a catastrophic plumbing leak by educating yourself on the type of pipes you have installed in your home and by learning what the proper course of action is if you see water damage in the home.
What Types of Plumbing Materials Are Best for Withstanding Winter Weather
Although homes still use copper plumbing, and it is not difficult for plumbers to replace faulty parts, there is a good reason that copper piping is being phased out of residential plumbing. Metal expands when the temperature around it is very cold. When it gets warmer, metal shrinks down to its original size. When water sits inside of copper plumbing in the winter months, these constant expansions and contractions will not only make your pipes weaker but also more likely to burst.
PVC and other kinds of plastic pipes also have their drawbacks, but these materials remain stable during temperature changes. Plastic plumbing is more durable than copper or galvanized steel, and it doesn't react chemically to water.
How to Prevent Your Home Plumbing System from Freezing
Some homeowners are accustomed to going through the motions of turning off their water to prevent water damage when temperatures fall below freezing. Others turn on all of their faucets so that water steadily flows through their pipes in an effort to reduce the risk of freezing. Both of these solutions work as long as you remember to take action before the freezing temperatures set in.
How to React When the Water Rises
While you may not look forward to dealing with a water damage issue in your home, being present at the exact time that your pipes burst is much better than being greeted at the front door by flooding. In either case, your first step will be to turn off the main water valve. Then, you need both a plumber and a water damage restoration service to work on cleanup.
If your home has been flooded, it might be several days before you can find out how widespread the damage is, and you will not be able to live at home in the meantime. Talk to a water damage restoration service like Atlantic Carpet Care for more information.