Burst Pipes
Have a burst pipe in your home? Hamilton Plumbing is on hand to stop the flooding and keep your home dry.
How to detect whether you have a burst pipe
A leak or burst a pipe isn’t always obvious or easy to detect. A burst pipe can occur at any time due to wear and tear or damage to the piping, creating the potential for a plumbing disaster if not fixed immediately.
Even a small drip of water over time can damage your walls or floor which can lead to costly repairs!
Identifying potential burst pipes early can help you prevent further damage and save you time and money. Here are some helpful tips to help you identify a potential burst pipe:
Change in water pressure
Have you noticed your faucet or tap has had a recent decrease in water pressure? This sudden change can indicate water may be leaking within the system and should be fixed quickly. If left alone, a low water pressure will fail to push everything down the drain, potentially leading to blockages.
Noticeable puddles
Have you cleaned up a puddle of water that just keeps coming back? You should inspect and identify where the leak is coming from and seek assistance before things become worse.
Unexpectedly high water bills
Hidden leaks can lead to excessive water usage, leaving you with a surprise on your next water bill. If you find a dramatic increase in your water bill, you should contact a professional to help identify and repair the leak.
Strange smell or discolouration
If you see your running water is slightly discoloured, it can mean there is rust within your piping system. This can cause damage to the pipes and give a strange odour to your water. This leak can put pressure on your system to push waste through and can cause a blockage.
Noisy pipes
A burst pipe often changes the pressure within your entire piping system and creates a strange movement. This movement commonly follows with a series of noises, such as banging and grinding behind walls or floors. This can lead to more breakages within the system if not tended to promptly.
If you experience any of these signs, you should always get in touch with an expert to find the best solution to your plumbing problem. Contact Hamilton Plumbing today.
Best practices for avoiding burst pipes
Burst pipes are often caused by issues that have been neglected or gone unnoticed. This can be from either a small leak or damage to the pipe.
By understanding what to spot and how to identify leaks early on, you can protect your property from ongoing damage and potentially expensive repair costs. If you’ve identified a leak or burst pipe, call the experts at Hamilton Plumbing as soon as possible.
Conduct regular inspections
Organise regular inspections on your water system to detect any leaks early. Hamilton Plumbing has the latest tools and equipment to inspect, identify, and monitor your plumbing systems for any signs of damage or wear.
Regular maintenance
Be proactive about your plumbing maintenance. Many issues may worsen over time, such as water that is slow to drain, noisy pipes, or a decrease in water pressure – acting on them early could prevent a costly emergency.
Causes of burst pipes
From every day use to rusting over the long term, here are some possible causes for your burst pipe:
Exposure and weathering
Outdoor pipes are often susceptible to corrosion, rusting, and cracking due to harsh weather conditions, temperature, soil changes, and movement in the ground. Understanding your pipes' exposure to these factors and having a professional inspect your system will help reduce the chances of a burst pipe.
Incorrect installation
Are you building your new home? Ensure that you have a trusted professional like Hamilton Plumbing to install your plumbing system. Poor installation can lead to major plumbing problems in the future. If you are buying a new home, you should contact a professional to perform a routine inspection and ensure the plumbing is in good condition.
Tree roots
If you have any trees located near your pipes, you need to be aware that roots may grow into your pipes. These roots naturally seek a water source and can slowly crush your pipes over time. Even with a small crack, a growing tree root can cause blockages, contamination, and eventually burst your pipe.
Mineral buildup
An imbalance of minerals such as high levels of magnesium or calcium can slowly corrode your pipes, eventually causing them to leak or crack.
Different drainage issues that can occur
When a plumbing problem occurs, it may not always be a leak or burst pipe coming from a pipe within your property. Plumbing problems can also occur in septic tanks, sewage pipes, drain systems, and commercial sinks.
These issues are commonly caused by blockages, wear and tear, intrusion of tree roots, or weathering and corrosion. Being aware of the signs of damaged pipes can help you avoid costly repairs or health issues.
Thankfully, you can always rely on Hamilton Plumbing to get the job done. We are trained to deliver a high-quality service that keeps your plumbing run smoothly and efficiently.
Septic tank systems
Septic tank systems are vital for the removal and treatment of sewage and waste. A failing septic system can be a risk to the people living in your home and to the environment.
If a septic system fails, excess sewage can rise to the surface around the tank, or back up into pipes. This can contaminate nearby water sources with dangerous bacteria, making it unsafe for drinking, and increasing the potential for serious illness.
If you have identified any signs of septic tank leakage, you need to contact a professional immediately. Hamilton Plumbing has the equipment and expertise to repair your septic tank before it becomes too costly, or too dangerous.
Signs your septic tank is leaking
• Bathtubs, showers and sinks draining slowly
• Sewage backup coming back from toilets, drains or sinks
• Bubbling noises coming from the plumbing system
• Standing water puddles near the septic tank or drain field
• Foul odours coming from the septic tank or drain field
Sewage connections
Ensuring your sewage is in good condition is the responsibility of every Australian household. If your sewage is not looked after properly, it can lead to costly damage to your household and nearby water sources. Thankfully, you can always rely on Hamilton Plumbing to maintain or repair your sewage system.
We take action to maintain your sewage line or repair any detected issues. We carry out our services as professionally and seamlessly as possible to take up as little of your time as possible.
Identifying a damaged sewage pipe
• Constant blockage and backup of sewage
• Foul odours
• Mould growth in the surrounding wall or floor
• Slow drain and bubbling
• Cracks in the floor or foundation
Soakwells
A soakwell is important for maintaining the integrity of the building foundation. If you are starting to see excess moisture or damp areas appearing near your soakwell, the material has potentially eroded or started to crack.
Proper maintenance of your soakwell can prevent potential damage to your outdoor area and property. You need reliable professionals who have the skills and knowledge to keep your soakwell in good order. Our plumbers are trained to provide the best solution for your soakwell problem.
Stormwater drains
Stormwater drains help to direct stormwater and sediment water into the drain during a heavy downpour. Damage caused to the drain is usually caused by a tree root or corrosion damage. This can lead to a blockage of the drain and excess spilling of storm water, resulting in possible structural damage to your home.
Excess stormwater on the ground can create soil erosion, affecting the health of the vegetation and waterways. If you have any issues with your stormwater drain or pipe, you can rely on Hamilton Plumbing to get the job done fast. Our technical skill and experience allow us to promptly detect, remove, and repair damaged stormwater drains.
Toilet drains
A burst pipe in a toilet drain often occurs due to a blockage and sewer backup within the drain. This can create an immense pressure within the pipe, causing it to leak or burst within your property or outdoor area.
If you suspect there is a burst pipe from your toilet due to a sudden strange smell, gurgling noises or sewage backup, get in touch with a professional as soon as possible. Our plumbers at Hamilton Plumbing are highly trained and qualified to deliver solutions that will keep your pipe system working effectively.
Leach drains
Leach fields or leach drains are subsurface wastewater disposal facilities that remove pathogens and bacteria from the water that comes from the digestion in the septic tank. Older, uneven pipes can sometimes clog up and push sewage back into the septic tank.
This can lead to an excessive build up of sewage that will go back into your property. It can also leak unfiltered water through the soil to create puddles in your outdoor area.
Detecting a possible leak or burst pipe in your leach drain should be handled by a professional to minimise damage and cost to your property.
Grease traps
Keeping your commercial sink clean from any potential blockage is crucial for any business that wants to avoid costly damage and time loss. Grease traps in a commercial sink help to prevent residual oil, fats, and solids from washing down waterways and landfill. This build up of waste needs to be regularly cleared to prevent any blockage and backup of your sink.
Hamilton Plumbing can maintain and repair your grease trap. Our experience and skill allow us to deliver an effective and prompt service to keep your business running without delays.
Your grease trap may be clogged or leaking if there are:
• Foul odours coming form the grease trap
• Solids are combining with the wastewater, and not filling the trap
• Gurgling noises coming from your sink
• Long periods between cleaning your grease trap
• Changes in water pressure from your plumbing
• Gurgling noises from the sink