A guide to burst water pipes

A burst water pipe is every homeowner's worst nightmare; it can damage both the house itself and its contents. Here is a quick guide to this particular plumbing problem.

Causes of burst pipes

There are several reasons why a pipe may burst. During the winter months, it often occurs due to the water inside an uninsulated pipe freezing. As water turns to ice, it expands and begins to exert a huge amount of pressure on the pipe it is housed in; this can lead to the pipe bursting open.

A blockage, caused by soap scum, food, hair and other non-degradable items being allowed into a house's drains, can also put a great deal of pressure on a water pipe and cause it to break open.

How to reduce the damage caused by a burst pipe

Should a pipe burst open in your property, the first thing you should do is locate the water meter and turn off the 'stop tap'. If there is a substantial amount of standing water on the floor, you should also turn off the electric mains, to prevent you or other household members from being electrocuted. If you live in an apartment complex and therefore do not have access to the stop tap or the electric mains, get in touch with your landlord or your building manager, and have them do these things for you. Then, call an emergency plumber.

Whilst you're waiting for the plumber to arrive, use towels, mops and buckets to soak up the water that has emerged from the broken pipe. Additionally, move any items that could be destroyed by any contact with water (such as laptops and e-tablets) out of harm's way. The faster you perform these tasks, the less chance there will be of the water doing serious damage to your home and your possessions.

How can a homeowner reduce the chances of their property's pipes bursting?

There are a number of steps you can take to prevent the pipes in your home from bursting. At the beginning of the winter season, for example, you should use lagging to insulate both your exposed water pipes (these are usually located in the loft and garage) and your water tank. This material should reduce the likelihood of the water inside the pipes freezing over. Additionally, invest in some strainers for each of the drains in your home; these should stop any food, grease and hair from entering your plumbing system and causing a blockage and a burst pipe.