What would cause a water pipe to burst?
Freezing is the best known cause, but high water pressure, corrosion in old pipes, shifting ground, a failed joint or fitting and accidental damage during renovations also burst pipes. Most failures have warning signs: stains, dripping, discoloured water or falling pressure.
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The common causes
- Freezing: ice expands and splits the pipe, often in unheated garages and exterior walls
- High water pressure that stresses joints and fittings
- Corrosion in aging galvanized steel and some older copper
- Failed fittings, washing machine hoses and appliance lines
- Shifting soil, tree roots or settlement that stress buried lines
- Damage from drilling, nails or renovation work
What Scarborough homes face
Scarborough has many postwar bungalows and split-levels with original plumbing, as well as high-rise towers with long vertical stacks. Aging galvanized and early copper pipes corrode from the inside, and a sudden failure often follows years of slow weakening. Exterior walls on the bluffs and in older subdivisions can drop below freezing during a cold snap.
Washing machine hoses and dishwasher lines are less dramatic but very common sources.
Warning signs to act on
Discoloured water, a drop in pressure, damp patches on ceilings or walls, knocking pipes and unexplained increases in the water bill all suggest a problem. A drip behind a wall can run for weeks without being seen. If you find any of these, call a plumber promptly.
Prevention that works
Know where your main shut-off is, replace old washing machine hoses, insulate pipes in cold areas, keep the heat on when you travel and have a plumber check the pressure if you hear banging. Replacing aging pipe before it fails is far less disruptive than waiting.
If you ever suspect a leak, a plumber can inspect and a water meter reading overnight can show whether water is running.
When it bursts anyway
Shut off the main valve, open a low tap, avoid standing water near electrical equipment and call a plumber and a restoration crew. A plumber repairs the pipe; our burst pipe service in Scarborough deals with the wet structure behind it. The assessment is free, and a written scope and price come first. We bill your insurer directly where the insurer allows it, and we deal with your adjuster.
Related questions
Can a pipe burst without freezing?
Yes. Pressure, age, corrosion and fittings all cause bursts in warm weather.
How do I know if my pipes are old?
Galvanized pipe looks grey and threaded; a plumber can identify the material.
Does turning off the main help?
It stops new water. Water already inside the walls must still be removed.
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