Burst Pipes

Burst Pipe Services in Marion

Burst pipes are rare. And while that is certainly a good thing, it leaves many homeowners unprepared when they do face a sudden burst-pipe emergency in their homes. Lacking the knowledge of what to do when a pipe bursts in your home can result in far more damage than necessary—money spent unnecessarily.

What Causes a Burst Pipe?

Because a burst pipe is usually caused by an issue that worsens over time, understanding what causes a pipe to burst in the first place can help prevent the issue altogether (or at least give you a bit of warning first). Taking a peek at your plumbing system regularly will let you know how your system is doing. With that being said, here are the most common pipe-bursting issues that homeowners encounter.

A Pipe is Clogged

Clogs can occur anywhere in your pipes and a severe clog will cause a significant amount of water pressure to build up. While a clog close to a drain (caused by hair, makeup products, etc.) is unlikely to cause damage to your pipes, a clog deeper down can be a significant risk. As water pressure builds up around the clog, it will become too great for the pipe, causing it to leak or burst.

A Pipe is Frozen

When the temperature drops, water inside your pipes can freeze. If the water freezes to the point of creating a blockage, it can have the same effect as a clog. However, there is also the added risk of ice weakening the bonds in your pipes. In this case, if you run hot water through those cold and weakened pipes, both the ice and the pipe can shatter or burst.

A Pipe is Corroded

Pipes do experience some regular wear and tear, and homes should be repiped every 50 years or so to avoid worn-out pipes breaking and bursting. However, if more than simply time is at play, you can see corrosion earlier in a pipe’s life. Imbalances in the water’s pH or rust (common for well water since it is high in iron) can compromise the strength of the pipe, causing it to corrode and eventually burst.

A Pipe Has Moved

While we might bump a pipe beneath a sink now and again, these pipe-bursting movements are usually accidents that go unnoticed. Cold temperatures can cause pipes to contract and shift. Repairs to other areas of your piping system can move or rattle a piece of piping down the line. Sometimes, the water pressure in a certain area can become high enough that it causes movement. When a pipe bursts due to this issue, it is because the moved pipe has caused the water pressure to become too great in a certain vulnerable location.

How to Tell a Pipe Has Burst

There are several warning signs to be aware of that could point to a burst pipe:

Puddles in your home
Low water pressure
Water has a strange taste, smell, or color
Stains on walls or ceilings
High water bill
Pipes are making clanging noises or you hear water dripping

In any of these cases, it’s time to call in a professional to locate the burst pipe and get it fixed before further damage occurs.

What to Do in the Meantime

You’ll want to call a plumber right away about a burst pipe. It’s a time-sensitive issue that can quickly lead to costly damages if ignored. However, there are a few things you’ll want to do in the meantime while help is on the way:

Shut Off the Main

Turn off your water supply to keep new water from seeping through the burst pipe.

Call Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling

We can quickly diagnose the problem, and our professionals have the know-how and equipment needed to fix the problem the first time.

Soak Up Standing Water

Protect your floors and walls from potential water damage as best as you can to prevent further issues.

Dry Your Pipes

Drain any water in the sinks, flush toilets to get the water out, and let in some warm air (go slowly if your pipe is frozen to prevent more damage). Keep your doors in your home open to circulate the air and dry the pipes more quickly.

Implement a Temporary Fix

If you need water right away, using a repair sleeve can be a short-term fix until the issue can be repaired.

Marion Burst Pipes Assistance

Stop searching the internet for “burst pipes near me” and get the help you deserve at a price you can afford. Serving Marion and the surrounding area, our friendly professionals at Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling are just around the corner with the skills to fix any plumbing issue.Schedule a service or contact us at (765) 664-4328 today. A hard freeze can split pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls, so if water is spraying in a Swayzee home, shut off the main and call us.

Burst Pipe FAQs for Marion Homeowners

What should I do first when a pipe bursts?

Shut off the main water valve. It’s usually where the water line comes through the basement wall or floor, near the meter, or in a crawl space or utility closet. Then turn off the water heater, open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the lines, and call us. If water is near outlets or the electrical panel, stay clear.

Do you come out after hours for a burst pipe?

Our phones are answered 24/7 at (765) 664-4328. A burst pipe is one of the calls we move to the front of the line, because every minute it runs makes the cleanup worse. Have the main water shut off before we get there if you can.

Why do pipes burst in Indiana winters?

Water expands when it freezes, and the pressure builds up between the ice and a closed faucet until the pipe splits. It’s usually a line on an outside wall, in a crawl space, garage or attic, or near a drafty sill plate. Older Marion homes with plumbing in unheated porches and additions see it most.

Will my homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?

Most policies cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe, but not a slow leak or damage from a house left without heat. Take photos before cleanup, save the broken section of pipe, and keep our invoice. Your agent will want all three. We can write up what we found for the claim.

How do you find where the pipe burst inside a wall?

Usually the water tells us. We look at where it’s showing up, check which lines run through that wall and listen for running water with the fixtures off. Then we open the smallest spot we can to get to the break, replace the damaged section and test it before closing anything up.