A water main is a large pipe that carries water from a water treatment plant to homes and businesses. The main is usually buried under the street. The service line is the specific pipe that connects your house to the water main. Both systems are responsible for the transport of the water supply from municipal water sources into your house.
A major plumbing issue that constitutes an emergency is a water main break. When this issue happens, time is the most significant factor that can affect the amount of water damage to your house. Here is an overview of water main breaks in terms of what causes them, their signs and effects, and possible solutions a plumber might apply to solve them.
Causes
One of the most common causes of water main breaks is the temperature fluctuations that happen from season to season. Cold temperatures make the ground contract, and warm temperatures expand it. These temperature fluctuations cause pressure changes within the water main, which can break them.
Also, temperature changes can directly affect the water inside the main and service line. Since water expands when it freezes, it can create outward pressure that fractures and damages the pipes.
Human activity like construction work can penetrate the pipe, especially with heavy tools like excavators or drills. Also, the vibration from these machines can gradually loosen the connection between the water main and service line and cause them to separate.
Finally, wear and tear cause materials to deteriorate and lose their capabilities. Corrosion and brittle pipes can create significant holes and cracks over time that will cause the water main to leak into the ground.
Effects and Signs
Since the water main supplies water to your house or commercial property, a break will reduce the volume it delivers. Therefore, there might be a slight or a more noticeable drop in water pressure depending on how much of it leaks into the ground.
The water that leaks into the ground might pool in your yard and flood it if the flow is slow. If the pressure is significant, it might create a small geyser a few feet high and flood your lawn, yard, or surrounding area.
If the leak continues undetected, it might lead to water damage to your building. The water damage can degrade your foundation, basement, or perimeter. Also, the leak area might expose your water supply to harmful organic and inorganic contaminants that will affect your health.
Solution
If the break is on the municipal side, you will need to call the municipal office to handle it. You can affirm if the break is on the municipal side if you contact your neighbors and they have similar water pressure issues as yours. If the problem only affects your house, you can call a plumber.
Since most water lines are underground, any repairs or replacements will require some excavation work. Also, the plumber might either need to shut off the water supply to your property or reduce the volume it receives. Therefore, call a plumber that can handle this work and has the right tools and experience to ensure they can do it right.
The fix will depend on the break. If it is significant, the plumber might need to replace your line with modern pipes. Suppose the repair can seal off the crack or gap created by an accident. In that case, the plumber will choose this option if the pipe does not show any other signs of deterioration.
A plumber who deals with water mains is your best bet to handle a water main break. Therefore,
contact us at Express Electrical Services for emergency plumbing services. We service the Riverside, San Bernadino, and Orange County areas.
