How to Prevent Pipe Damage

8/24/2020 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes can lead to significant water damage. Have them insulated to reduce the chances of freezing!

Your home’s plumbing system transports gallons of water in and out of your home. While we rely on the system to dispense water and run our appliances, the pipes can age or be damaged and lead to flooding. In a recent blog post, we named pipe damage as one of the leading causes of home water damages in the Mooresville area.

Still, knowing the threat is there isn’t reassuring. That’s why we’re going to take a look at some of the ways this damage is caused and how you can prevent it from happening!

Soften Your Water

Believe it or not, your pipes can be damaged over time if your water is too hard, which occurs when the water has high concentrations of minerals. Although hard water isn’t dangerous to humans, it can damage or clog your plumbing systems, leading to unwanted complications.

The best way to combat this issue is by installing a water softener, which helps filter out these minerals. If you have some plumbing knowledge, you can do this yourself. Otherwise, you should call a plumber to install one for you.

Regulate Your Water Pressure

You might enjoy a strong shower, but your pipes might not. High water pressure can put a lot of strain on your plumbing and even accelerate the wear and tear on your appliances. Generally, your home’s water pressure should be between 40-80 PSI; if it’s any higher, you have a problem. (You can check your water pressure with a gauge from your local hardware store.)

To alleviate high water pressure, you can install (or replace) a pressure regulator, which can keep it in check.

Insulate Your Pipes

If your pipes freeze, the ice inside expands and increases pressure on the pipes. When the water starts to thaw, this can ultimately cause the pipes to burst. There are a few things you can do to mitigate this problem, but it’s a good idea to insulate your pipes to reduce the odds of them freezing in the first place.

Cleaning Up Water Pipe Damage

Despite taking the above steps, your pipes may still break and cause extensive water damage. Unfortunately, accidents do happen. If this happens to you—don’t worry. Our team at SERVPRO of Iredell County is available 24/7 to cleanup water damage in your home or business. Call us at (704) 872-7466 so our professionals can make any damage “Like it never even happened.”