The Difference Between Leaking and Burst Pipes

A large number of people do not know the difference between a leak and a burst pipe. If you are one of those people, you need to familiarize yourself with these terms. You are responsible for ensuring your home is in good condition by reporting any faults to the necessary parties. A burst pipe or a water leak could cause huge damage to your home if left unattended.  Therefore, it is important to seek the services of the Leaking and Burst Pipe Cleanup company as soon as you note something unusual with your water pipes. Below are some tips that will help you differentiate the difference between a leak and a burst pipe.
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Definition

A leak is a small hole, crack or rupture in a pipe that allows some water to continue to leak.. In such a case, you will notice that small amounts of water are left flowing out through the hole in the pipe.
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A burst pipe is a situation where the pipe has a wide opening that allows the water to flow out of it freely. A burst pipe would discharge large amounts of water into an area and, therefore, must be attended to as soon as possible. This situation is common during the winter when the temperatures are extremely low.

Risk factors for a leak and burst pipes

The main risk factors for a leak are corrosion and the damage that could be caused during remodeling or the construction process. The leak could also be caused by broken joints and the nails that graze the pipe when driven into a wall during construction. This is why it is advisable to avoid drilling nails in your walls, especially if you do not know the location of the water pipes. According to Plumbing leak clean up companies, most leaks in pipes are caused by residents who drill holes in the walls.
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The main risk factors for burst pipes are exposing them to freezing air or when the heating system malfunctions or is turned off for many hours. Poorly insulated walls could also result in the pipe being extremely cold, thus causing it to burst. In other cases, the water pressure could also cause the pipe to burst, especially if the pressure is too high.

What to do

The first thing you should do when you suspect a leak or a burst pipe is switch off the main water supply. This will cut off the flow of water to prevent your home from being damaged. The main water supply is usually located near a water meter outside your house. Therefore, you should locate your meter and turn off the pipe from that area. The meter can also be located in the basement or your utility room. It is always advisable to know where such things are located if you need to access them during an emergency.

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The next step is to try locating the location of the damage. This will make it easy for the technician to address the problem as soon as they arrive at your home.  If the amount of water from the burst or leaking pipe is high, it is important to take precautions to avoid an electricity hazard. If you come into contact with an electric outlet, you risk being electrocuted. In cases where you are unsure of how to handle the situation, it is advisable to leave the building for safety.
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If possible, you can move your valuable items to a safe space to reduce the amount of damage that can be caused by the leak. If you do not have somewhere safe to keep your items, you can move them to higher spaces in your home, then turn off the water supply. You also need to dry your assets as soon as possible to minimize the extent of the damage. However, if you have insurance for your assets, you can be assured of compensation as soon as the damage has been evaluated.
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If you suspect or are sure that you have a leaking or burst pipe, you can contact a plumbing leak clean up company, and they will be at your service. These calls need to be made as soon as you suspect a leak or a burst pipe to prevent the damage from being severe. Plumbing leak clean up services have all the necessary equipment needed in evaluating a leak or a burst pipe. Therefore, they will offer you a solution as soon as possible and clean up any damage that has been caused by the pipe.

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