Reduce Water Damage From Pipes
Water damage emergencies
can be a hassle to deal with, and they often occur when we least expect it. We at White Knight hate to admit that there are many culprits of water damage in your Madison home. The list includes, but is not limited to:
- Broken pipes
- Clogged drains and gutters
- Weather
- Unrepaired roof
- Structural faults
Focusing on broken pipes, specifically, how can one take measures to prevent water damage?
Broken Pipes
There are four main reasons pipes break.
- Frozen pipes
- Moving pipes
- Water pressure
- Corrosion
To prevent pipes from freezing, adopt these 6 techniques.
- Keep the home thermostat turned to a temperature that will reach the pipes and keep the water flowing inside of them from freezing.
- Apply heating tape. Heating tape is plugged into an electrical outlet, and wrapped strategically around vulnerable pipes keeping the pipes warm. Make sure this is applied BEFORE the freezing temperatures hit, or it won’t be as effective.
- Add extra insulation in areas surrounding the pipes, including the pipes themselves. This will trap in more heat and aid in freeze prevention.
- Patch up and seal and cracks or holes in the wall or ceiling that could allow for freezing air to seep in and freeze the pipes.
- Keep the cabinet doors open, or any door that leads to pipes. This will allow more consistent temperatures within the pipes and be a big help in keeping the temperature neutralized.
- Keep the faucet dripping. This ensures water flow. It will relieve any pressure that may start to build up due to an increase in cold temperatures.
Note: Many of these tips are to be more reasonably applied during the night, or when the home is vacant for an extended period of time.
Moving pipes is a relatively straightforward problem to resolve. When pipes rattle and move a lot, they can become loose, resulting in a detached pipe and gallons of freely flowing water.
To reduce pipe movement:
- Add an increased amount of insulation around the pipes to help them stay snuggly and securely put. Foam insulation is recommended in this case.
- Pipe straps are another way to secure pipes to walls, and to each other. Another word for pipe straps is pipe brackets.
Over time, high water pressure causes pipes to erode and sometimes burst, causing a huge, wet problem. Thankfully, there are ways to reduce water pressure, and consequently, reduce the risk of water damage from ruptured pipes.
How to prevent pipe breakage from high water pressure:
- Obtain a pressure-regulating valve.
- Replace pipes and periodically check for any leaks that need sealing.
Corrosion is the final of the main ways pipes burst. Corrosion happens when, over time, the water flowing through it rubs off the protective coating on the pipe, which then allows the water and the newly revealed layer to chemically react. This weakens and destroys the metal, ultimately resulting in decay.
How to prevent corrosion:
- Keep an eye on the PH of your water, as well as the oxygen levels. Too high or low of a PH results in corrosion.
- Keep pipes clean
When a water damage emergency strikes, always contact a professional first, like those at White Knight Carpet Rescue Inc. They will have the tools and equipment to help you get back on your feet. Never wait when noticing any sign of water damage to contact a specialist. Apply the advice given in this blog to aid in water damage prevention.
