Burst pipes cause serious problems to your home’s structure. Wood, sheetrock, insulation, floors, ceilings, and even your foundation can be weakened and end up needing costly repairs.
Here in Oklahoma, we often see foundation damage from burst pipes during our winter’s many freeze and thaw cycles, and we believe it’s important for homeowners to take steps to prevent this issue before cold weather arrives.
Here’s what to know about burst pipes, how they affect your home, and a few tips to avoid them so you can keep your foundation safe and sound.
What Puts Foundations at Risk When Pipes Break?
In Oklahoma, it’s common to hide plumbing under the house in a crawl space that sits between the ground and the home’s first floor. Electrical wiring is often placed there as well. Crawl spaces can even be used for storage if the area has enough head room, which is the case for some homes. Your home’s crawl space is the area that is most easily exposed to freezing temperatures that can cause broken plumbing.
This vulnerability is why your foundation is at such a risk if pipes burst.
- The water can seep into even the most minor cracks in your concrete slab, causing the concrete to break down.
- Wooden support beams can begin to rot or fall apart from the excess moisture.
- Your home’s air can become compromised from swiftly growing mold.
- Electrical systems can be exposed to water and cause deadly sparks.
Ultimately, the house’s foundation system can begin to fail through exposure to flooding water from broken pipes—and the repairs you’ll need can get costly. No homeowner wants that.
Just remember this basic rule of home care—winter weather can really harm your foundation, and it pays to understand why and what to do to protect your property.
Other Ways Burst Pipes Affect Your Home’s Structure
Unfortunately, burst pipes can create major problems beyond your foundation too, adding even more hassles to deal with and driving up your repair bills.
Some of these other forms of damage can also impact your home’s structural condition. Add that to foundation issues, and you can suddenly end up with a house that’s not safe to live in and isn’t as valuable as it once was.
Because so much of your plumbing runs within or near your home’s walls, they will be exposed to a lot of damage. Drywall, sheetrock, and insulation can all get soaked and break apart, needing replacement before your home’s walls become severely compromised.
Exterior Walls
If the burst pipes thrust water toward your home’s exterior, you could experience water damage that leaks through to the backing behind your stucco, siding, or brick. These areas are vital to your home’s protection.
Flooring
Broken plumbing inevitably floods areas of your home. Carpets can get waterlogged and moldy, tile can get loosened and need to be repaired, and wood can rot, requiring replacement. If leaks affect the first story of your home, the moisture can seep into the crawl space, causing further risks to your foundation.
Electrical Wiring
Your home’s electrical system is also at risk whenever pipes burst. The exposure to water within walls and around floors can cause shorts and result in fires. And even a small house fire can damage structural portions (as well as potentially putting your family and pets in danger).
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew grow quickly in moist environments, and they can hide, secretly wearing down structural elements and contributing to wood rot within walls.
Catch Frozen Pipes Quickly to Minimize Foundation Damage
If you want to avoid the costly issues that arise from burst pipes, then it’s important to recognize and address frozen pipes before they have a chance to break.
Know the Four Signs of Frozen Pipes
- Freezing weather — When temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit—and especially when they stay there for a few days in a row—pipes can freeze.
- Frozen condensation — If your indoor plumbing has frosty condensation on it, you can bet the water inside is not flowing easily.
- No water/trickling water — Frozen pipes can either halt the flow of water entirely or allow just a small, weak trickle. Either way, if the water flow through faucets is less than normal, there’s a problem.
- Unpleasant odors — When water can’t flow out of your house because of frozen pipes, you’re likely to get whiffs of sewage smells or other unappealing scents.
How to Deal with Frozen Pipes Before They Do Structural Damage
The cost of repairs to your sheetrock, flooring, and foundation can be quite high when you’ve had flooding due to burst pipes. So, your goal should be to avoid the issue altogether.
The best way to keep burst pipes from harming your home’s walls and foundational structure is to take the needed steps as soon as possible. Delaying only puts your home at greater risk.
Here’s what to do:
- Prepare — Before cold weather arrives, inspect your plumbing, make needed repairs, and insulate pipes.
- Defrost — If pipes are frozen, attempt to get them working again. In a pinch, a hairdryer or hot rags can sometimes help, or contact a plumber for guidance.
- Prevent — If a cold snap is coming, keep your home reasonably heated. Open cabinet doors on outer walls so pipes can draw on the home’s heat.
Get Peace of Mind with a Thorough Foundation Inspection
Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of burst plumbing, or you simply want to know that your foundation is in good condition to last through the winter and beyond, our friendly, honest team at Edens Structural Solutions is here to help.
We do complete foundation inspections that answer all your questions. If your foundation is in good shape and doesn’t need any repairs, we’ll tell you. That’s our commitment to you.
Learn more about our foundation inspections and how we can help you feel safe and secure in your home.
