A burst pipe in Florida is a nightmare no homeowner wants to deal with. Although you may be experiencing it for the first time, plumbers regularly get calls about such problems. Unfortunately, many homeowners find themselves with a burst pipe without knowing how to fix it.
The only solution is to hire a professional plumber to do the job. This way, you can rest assured you’ll get solutions that won’t further complicate the problem. Read more on how long it takes a plumber to fix a burst pipe in Florida.
How To Know When You Have a Burst Pipe
Before you call a plumber to fix a burst pipe in your home, you must have suspected the damage. Knowing where the damage’s from can be difficult, so look for these signs to know when you have a burst pipe in your home.
Leaks
A leak in the plumbing system is a big tell that something is amiss. Unfortunately, leaks are primarily subtle and hard to detect by homeowners. Since some pipes are out of sight, you may not know about a damaged one until water starts leaking into your home.
Common signs of leaks include stained ceilings and blistered walls. They show you that water is coming from an authorized opening, and you need to fix it.
Mold
Molds forming on your walls indicate that water runs uncontrolled in your home. One of the common causes is a burst pipe in Florida. When you start noticing unexplainable moisture in an area, check if there is a possibility of a burst pipe causing it.
If you cannot detect the source yourself, hire a plumber to do it for you. Other related signs include mildew and musty smells in the room.
Unusual Noise From the Plumbing System
Plumbing systems are usually designed to make the slightest noise possible while working. You may be familiar with whistling as water moves through the pipes. Call a plumber to take a look when this low whistling sound becomes a disturbing chatter. A common suspect is an error with the pipes, which may be from a burst pipe.
Low Water Pressure
Knowing how to measure your water pressure is essential to keeping your plumbing system in good shape. Your water pressure should be between 25 psi to 60 psi. If you notice your water pressure falling unexpectedly, look around for possible burst pipes. The water escaping from the burst pipe may be the reason your water pressure suddenly drops.
Increased Water Bill
Your water bill is an excellent way to know when something serious is wrong with your plumbing system. For example, if your monthly bill suddenly rises without reasonable cause, a burst pipe in Florida may be causing a leak. Call your plumber immediately to find the source.
What Causes a Burst Pipe in Florida Homes?
Your plumber will want to know the possible cause of the burst pipe to determine how long it will take to fix the damage caused. Here are some common reasons plumbers consider the prime suspects.
Bad Installation or Repair
Your pipes’ welfare depends on the installation quality after the initial purchase. If the plumbers do a lousy job installing the pipes, it can cause them to break early and require repair. It also happens that a repair on some parts of the plumbing system affects the pipes, causing one to burst.
Age
Things age, and water pipes are not exempted. The years of use take their toll on the pipes. After a long while, they may start showing signs of age. This is common in old plumbing systems built with copper or lead pipes. These pipes can burst after decades of use, and you must replace them with new ones.
Chemicals from Water
Water has many chemicals that affect the things it comes in contact with. A common culprit is a chlorine. Chlorine in water can lead to corrosion, which causes the pipe to burst after years of decay. Another common mineral that affects pipes is calcite. Calcites are found in hard water and can build up over time to clog pipes. The pressure from the clog can cause the pipe to burst unexpectedly.
What To Do When a Pipe Bursts In Your Home
A pipe bursting in your home can be a subtle occurrence that you overlook. However, it can also be disruptive and flood your home with water. In either case, you need to take action to protect your home against damage. Here are some steps to take once you discover a burst pipe in your Florida home.
Locate the Source
The first thing is to know where the burst pipe is located. Some places are easy to detect, especially if one of the pipes is located outside. However, pipes installed in obscure home parts, like in the walls or underground, are not easy to identify. You may need an expert to find the exact pipe.
Turn Off the Main Water Valve
Another important thing you should do immediately when you suspect a burst pipe is to turn off the main water valve. This main valve brings water into every part of your home. Once you shut it off, there won’t be a transmission of more water from the reservoir. This makes it easier to prevent water from flooding your home.
Turn Off All Water Outlets
Now, you should let out all the water already in the system. Open a faucet or flush the toilet several times to release the remaining water. Once you do this, you reduce the likelihood of water escaping into your home through the burst pipe.
Prevent Water Damage
Your next goal should be to prevent your home from water damage. First, clean up all the water in the house until everywhere is dry. Then, you can turn on the heat to dry the wet areas before the moisture cause permanent damage.
Call a Plumber
You should call your plumber when you find yourself in this situation. Plumbers are conversant with water pipes and know how to handle the problem. You should describe the situation precisely, as this will help them prepare equipment to deal with the situation.
How Long Does it Take a Florida Plumber to Fix a Burst Pipe?
This question is what many homeowners are interested in once they call a plumber over. However, this question doesn’t have a definite answer. A lot of factors determine the duration of the repair, and here are some of them:
The Location of the Pipe
The first thing the plumber will do is locate the burst pipe. It does not take long to fix if the pipe is located in an open spot like the kitchen sink. Such jobs last about 30 minutes to a few hours. However, pipes situated underground or in the drywalls require more time to fix.
It will take some time digging the ground or cutting the drywalls to get to the pipe. Then, the plumber has to fix the damaged pipe, after which they must close the opening. All of these can take several hours and stretch into another day. Therefore, you may need to find an alternative means of getting water while the pipe is fixed.
The Extent of the Damage
The damage the burst pipe caused will also determine how long it takes to fix it. If the damage is only in a small area, it is quicker to fix and leave. Contrarily, some burst pipes affect more than the plumbing system.
Therefore, the technicians may need water damage experts to improve the areas after changing the burst pipe. The additional work will take more time, which may last up to 3 or 5 days.
The Plumber You Hire
Finally, the plumber will determine how soon to get the work done. If it is a single person working alone, they will take more time to complete the task compared to a team. Hiring a notable plumbing company will speed the work up significantly. These companies send multiple professionals to evaluate the damage and fix it as quickly as possible.
How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Burst Pipe in Florida?
Florida is one of the costliest places to get things done in the entire country. Therefore, the cost of fixing a burst pipe in the state is more than in most other states. Read more on factors determining how much you pay to have your burst pipe fixed.
The Damage
The extent of the damage will dictate how much you spend fixing it. If you only have to replace the broken pipe, you will spend less than someone who has to deal with water damage to the house.
You may also have to cut into parts of your wall to get to the pipe. The processes for such complex locations put more strain on your budget as the plumber will bill you for his time and resources.
The Material
The pipe’s material also matters a lot when determining the cost of fixing a burst pipe. Old houses mostly feature copper and iron pipes that have lasted more than half a century.
Due to the decay and wear on these pipes, you may need to change them instead of fixing the leaking area. Replacement costs more than patching the broken part of PVC, fiberglass, or similar pipes.
The Plumber
A significant part of the cost goes into paying the plumber, given that the wage of your plumber will influence the project’s total cost. Experienced plumbers charge more but deliver high-quality services. Instead of trying to cut costs by hiring an average plumber, hire a good one that will give you your money’s worth in value.
In summary, the cost of fixing a burst pipe in Florida ranges between $500 and $3000. General repair rarely exceeds $1000 unless you add the cost of fixing water damage.
How to Prevent a Burst Pipe in Florida
Knowing how to prevent pipes from bursting in your home never hurts. Here are two tips that will make it easy.
Do Regular Checks on Your Plumbing System
Check your plumbing system regularly for irregularities. This habit will help you detect leaks, mold, damaged appliances, and burst pipes early. Early detection will make the situation more manageable than when it becomes a problem.
Schedule Routine Maintenance with Your Plumber in Florida
Have a regular plumber come around for routine maintenance checks on your plumbing system. During this maintenance service, the plumber can detect a possible problem and fix it before it becomes a big deal.
Reach Out to Our Experts for Florida Burst Pipe Repair
Questions like “how long does it take a plumber to fix a burst pipe in Florida?” raise many other questions. Many of those questions have been answered in this guide.
Next, for your burst pipe plumbing solutions, you should call professional plumbers like Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration. You can also visit our website to contact us about your plumbing, air conditioning, and restoration needs.
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