Express Sewer & Drain Blog

When a pipe bursts, it can mean more than just a small leak. Broken water pipes can produce a ripple effect, impacting water quality and pressure throughout the rest of your property.

Between water pipes and sewer lines, every building consists of a complex plumbing system that is designed to keep your water supply and appliances in working order. As soon as one feature of this system becomes damaged, it can lead to lasting impacts throughout residential or commercial buildings. 

The longer the problem is left untreated, the more significant the damages will be. Before contacting a plumber for repair services, make sure you understand the implications of broken water pipes on your Sacramento property.

What Causes Pipes to Burst?

Water pipes can break for a number of reasons. No matter the material or the quality of the structure, pipes don’t last forever and will begin to break down over time. Corrosion will slowly reduce the strength of the pipes, making cracks and leaks more likely to occur. In the event of a clogged pipe, backed-up debris can also lead to a burst. For this instance, you’ll likely be faced with more than just water damage. 

In addition to corrosion, broken water pipes can be caused by freezing conditions. When water freezes, the ice expands and places a large amount of pressure on the pipes. This expansion will lead to ruptured, frozen pipes and a tremendous mess on your hands. To help prevent frozen pipes in the winter, let cold water drip from the faucet. Even a trickle will be enough when the temperatures fall. 

Some environmental factors can also cause burst pipes, such as tree roots and shifting soil. Tree roots can push the pipes out of alignment, causing complications with the integrity of the pipeline. While many residents may not know of the presence of a damaged pipe until they find damages, it’s always a good idea to routinely check the pipes to help prevent damages from occurring in the future. 

How To Tell If You Have A Broken Pipe

Not sure if you have a broken pipe at home or in your business? Look out for these telltale warning signs:

• Suddenly high water bill
• Unpleasant odor, similar to rotten eggs
• Wet or damp spots appearing on your carpet or walls
• Standing water or puddles beneath your sinks (or, if you have a septic system, in your lawn above where the system is buried)
• Suddenly reduced water pressure
• Mold growth
• Discolored water
• The sound of running water when water isn’t running

If you’re experiencing these symptoms and a pipe burst in your home or business, turn off the electricity and locate your shut-off valve to turn the water off to reduce further pressure buildup. 

5 Effects of a Broken Water Pipe

No matter the cause of damaged pipes, there will be greater impacts on the rest of your property. From flooding to structural damage, it’s best to take action as soon as possible and restore the quality of your plumbing system. If you ever come across a burst pipe, here’s what you can expect. 

Flooding

When a water pipe breaks, the water will be released elsewhere instead of flowing through the pipes as intended. This can not only damage the structure of the building, but personal property as well. In extreme cases, families may need to find temporary housing while the water damage is taken care of. 

Mold Growth

When flooding occurs, damp areas become an excellent environment for mold to grow. This typically occurs when water from leaks or floods is not cleaned up properly. In hard-to-reach places, mold can grow unknowingly, resulting in even more complications for residents of the building. The presence of mold and bacteria can cause health issues, such as difficulty breathing and respiratory irritation, due to the harmful particles in the air.

Damage to Walls and Floors

As water leaks from pipes and into the rest of the building, it can cause significant damage to the walls, floors, and ceilings. If a pipe breaks within the ceiling, that water can leak through the material and onto the floor beneath it, damaging both features. 

In the case of damage to walls, wooden support structures can weaken and might need to be replaced. Any metal fixtures that are exposed to large amounts of water can be more susceptible to rust and corrosion. For each of these instances, you might be faced with extra work to repair not only the pipes, the surrounding structures as well. 

Damage to Electrical Systems

We all know water doesn’t pair well with electrical features. When this occurs, you might face outages, shocks, or even electrical fires. When an excessive amount of water comes into contact with electrical wiring, it can cause the insulation to break down. Never touch these features because you might get shocked, and if the wires touch, you might also face a fire. 

Expensive Repair Costs

Between the broken water pipes, floods, mold growth, and structural damage, it can cost quite a bit of money to restore the quality of the building. If you find significant damage to your property, act right away to have them fixed before the damages become even worse. 

Keep in mind that the cost of repairing a pipe can vary based on a number of factors, including the size of the pipe, the amount of damage, and how much is covered by your insurance. We suggest that you reach out to your insurance company to grasp a better idea of what is needed for structural repairs. 

What To Do When Water Pipes Break in Sacramento

We understand the stress and financial hardships that come with significant damages to plumbing systems. To help keep damages at bay, follow these guidelines to keep yourself, others, and your property safe.

1. If it’s safe, shut off the electricity
2. Turn off the main water line to prevent more water from leaking into the building
3. Remove any possessions that can be restored
4. Take photos for your insurance company when filing a claim 
5. Try to dry as much of the property as you can
6. Contact Express Sewer & Drain for pipe repair and water line replacement services

Plumbing Repairs in Sacramento County

The expert plumbers at Express Sewer & Drain have the experience and equipment needed to repair your plumbing system in the event of a burst pipe. We’re here to help minimize any losses and work quickly to have your plumbing system restored to its original condition if your pipes burst.

When you work with us to repair broken pipes, expect a team of plumbers whose expertise ranges from residential, commercial, and municipal work. Our dedication to the Sacramento community means you can trust us to quickly repair any broken water pipe in no time. To learn more, contact the Sacramento plumbers from Express Sewer today!