Water Damage Restoration: Checking the Pressure of Your Pipes in Madison

Home construction with hot red and cold blue pex pipe layout in pipes and exposed beams

We are all on high alert for frozen pipes during winter here in Madison. This is because we are no strangers to freezing temperatures, and we also know the water damage and restoration costs that ensue when a frozen pipe bursts. The thing is though, pipes do not burst because they are frozen, but rather as a result of the increased pressure in the pipe that frozen water produces. Any time the pressure gets too high inside pipes, leaks or bursts occur in an effort to release the pressure. Here are three main reasons why pressure can get too high inside pipes, and how that could result in you needing water damage restoration.

Water Damage Restoration in Madison

1. Since we already mentioned it, we may as well start with this one – frozen pipes. When liquid water freezes, the molecules change shape and actually expand. This expansion alone strains the pipes, but what really increases the pressure is the frozen section blocks water from getting to the faucet where it can be released. All the water trapped behind the freeze will continue to build up until the pipe can no longer handle the pressure and that is when bursts happen. Leaks and bursts allow water to escape the pipe and flood into the area around them, leaving you in need of water damage restoration.
2. Another reason pressure might be too high in your pipes could be from the water main line that supplies your home. If the pressure of the water entering your pipes is too high, over time the pipes will become weakened and susceptible to leaks. The best way to be sure the water pressure in your home is not too high is to install a water pressure gauge on an exterior faucet of your home. Most hardware stores carry water pressure gauges that you can easily attach. To get a reading, simply turn the water on and let the gauge do its thing. Residential water pressure should be somewhere between 60 and 70 psi, and never exceed 80 psi. If your reading is too high, you can purchase a water pressure valve and have it installed to regulate the pressure and keep it at a safe and maintainable level.
3. The last thing that can lead to increased pressure in pipes is buildup of minerals and deposits. This is just one reason why water softeners are so beneficial. Hard water has a high mineral content so it leaves behind more mineral deposits in your pipes. This can speed up corrosion, and greatly decrease the lifespan of your pipes and other plumbing fixtures. Water softeners remove the excess minerals from the water by creating an ion exchange between positively charged calcium and magnesium and negatively charged resin beads inside the softener. A salt tank is then used to create a brine that removes the collected minerals from the resin beads and flushes them out. A water softener means less build up in your pipes over time, meaning less pressure builds us and less risk of leaks.

We know this may seem like a lot, but taking precautionary steps may just save you from needing water damage restoration. In the unfortunate event where you do sustain significant water damage due to broken pipes, be sure to contact the restoration experts at White Knight Carpet Rescue for help.