Tag Archives: broken water lines

Dec '23

Burst Pipes? What To Do When A Water Main Breaks In Chicago

When a water main breaks, it can cause significant damage and disrupt the lives of residents. In a city like Chicago, where extreme weather conditions are common, burst pipes are not uncommon. Knowing what to do in such a situation can help minimize the damage and ensure the safety of everyone involved. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on what to do when a water main breaks in Chicago.

Understanding Water Mains

Before diving into the steps to take when a water main breaks, it is essential to have a basic understanding of what water mains are and their role in the city’s water supply. Water mains are large underground pipes that deliver treated water to homes, businesses, and other buildings. Chicago has an extensive network of water mains running beneath its streets, ensuring the constant flow of water to its residents.

Causes of Water Main Breaks

Water mains can burst due to various reasons. Some of the common causes include:

Extreme weather conditions, such as freezing temperatures or excessive heat

Aging infrastructure

Ground shifts or movements

High water pressure

Corrosion or deterioration of the pipes over time

Understanding the causes can help identify potential areas of vulnerability and take necessary preventive measures.

Signs of a Water Main Break

Identifying a water main break early on is crucial in mitigating the damage. Some signs to watch out for include:

Decreased water pressure in faucets

Discolored water

A sudden increase in water bills

Audible sounds of rushing water beneath the ground

Visible cracks or sinkholes near the water main

If you notice any of these signs, it is essential to take immediate action.

What to Do when a Water Main Breaks

When a water main breaks, follow these steps:

1. Report the Break

Contact the Chicago Department of Water Management or the local water utility company to report the water main break. Provide them with specific details about the location of the break and any visible signs of damage. Timely reporting can help expedite repairs.

2. Shut Off the Water

If you have access to the water shut-off valve in your building, turn it off immediately. This will help prevent further water damage and flooding. It is essential to know the location of the shut-off valve in advance to act swiftly during emergencies.

3. Evacuate If Necessary

In extreme cases where the water main break leads to flooding or poses a threat to your safety, evacuate the premises. It is better to prioritize personal safety above all else. If evacuation is necessary, alert the authorities and follow their instructions.

4. Protect Your Property

If your property is at risk of flooding due to the water main break, take steps to protect your belongings. Move furniture, electronics, and other valuable items to higher floors or areas less prone to water damage. Use sandbags or barriers to divert water away from your property.

5. Document the Damage

Take photographs or videos of any visible damage caused by the water main break. This documentation will be helpful when filing an insurance claim or seeking assistance for repairs. Make sure to capture the extent of the damage accurately.

6. Stay Informed

Keep yourself updated on the progress of the repair work. Follow local news sources, social media accounts of authorities, or official channels for updates. Knowing the estimated timeline for repairs can help you plan accordingly and take necessary precautions.

Prevention and Maintenance

While it is not always possible to prevent water main breaks, regular maintenance and proactive measures can reduce the likelihood of such incidents. Some preventive steps include:

Regular inspection and monitoring of water mains

Prompt repair of any visible cracks or leaks

Replacement of aging or corroded pipes

Managing water pressure within acceptable limits

Proper planning and coordination of construction activities near water mains

By investing in preventive measures, the city can reduce the occurrence of water main breaks and minimize the impacts on its residents.

In Summary

Water main breaks are unforeseen events that can cause significant inconvenience and damage. By knowing what to do when a water main breaks in Chicago, residents can take immediate action, report the break, protect their property, and ensure their safety. Additionally, understanding the causes and signs of water main breaks can help in taking preventive measures and maintaining the water supply infrastructure effectively. By working together and being prepared, we can minimize the impact of water main breaks and ensure a reliable water supply for all Chicagoans.

Oct '22

The Main Reasons for Water Line Damage

The water line is that part of your home’s plumbing that connects the home to the municipal water supply. Although the water line is responsible for providing a constant supply of clean water to your home, it is one of the least-acknowledged parts of your home’s plumbing.

This is because most of the water line is underground, and homeowners only know its presence when it is damaged, explains Limestone Country Properties. The water line, buried in the ground, is mostly out of homeowners’ sight and, therefore, never comes to mind.

But water lines get damaged, and the impact can be devastating when they do. Many things cause water line damage. This post highlights the most common causes of water line damage and the telltale signs that your home’s water line is damaged.

Causes of water line damage

Faulty installation

If they are to last long and work efficiently, water lines must be installed in keeping with city guidelines. If this is not done, the water line will be prone to damage and likely to fail before its projected lifespan. The most common water line installation issues are using substandard materials and hurriedly installing the line. Water lines that are not properly installed are likely to leak.

Soil shifting

If the soil where an underground water line is laid moves, it will displace the line and expose it to the risk of damage. There are several reasons why soil will move. These movements may result from a leak in the water line that needs repair, which leaves the surrounding soil waterlogged. It could also be due to the type of soil and the weather.

Changes in water pressure

Underground water pipes are designed to withstand a certain amount of pressure. If water pressure within the pipes exceeds this upper limit, it will cause cracks and leaks. Significant damage can happen to a water line even if it has been exposed to high water pressure for a very short period. Water pressure issues may also be caused by poor maintenance.

Intruding tree roots

Usually, trees get their water from the surrounding air and soil. But if there is a nearby water line with even the tiniest hairline fracture, tree roots will sniff out the water inside the line and penetrate the pipe to reach that water. Trees’ roots may also interfere with water lines when they displace them from their original position in the ground.

Corrosion

This problem is most common with metal, copper, and steel pipes. PVC and CPVC pipes are also affected by corrosion, but to a lesser extent. In addition to the material of the pipe, other factors that influence the rate of corrosion of a water line are soil acidity and the chemical content of the water running through the pipes.

Extreme temperature changes

Sudden and extreme temperature changes can damage a water line. Water line damage happens in very cold weather when temperatures fall below freezing. If a water line is not below the frost line, it can freeze, causing pressure to build inside the pipe until it bursts. Or if the line does not crack, it can weaken over time.

Clogs

Materials inside the water or debris that finds its way into the water line can block it. A clog in your home’s water line will manifest as slow water flow. The buildup of pressure inside that section of piping before the clog can also lead to the water line bursting. Low water pressure in your home may indicate that your water line may be leaking.

Damage by rodents

Burrowing animals can damage your water line. Rodents will gnaw on pipes to sharpen their teeth, damaging the water line in the process. They may also chew on the pipe to access the water inside it. Animals can dislodge the pipes when they move through the ground or build their nests close to the water line.

Aging

Homeowners rarely keep tabs on the age of their water line. Every artificial material in the home has its expiration date. That date may be delayed or accelerated by several factors, such as weather conditions in the location, maintenance quality, and material type. But whether you look after your water line or not, the day comes when you need to replace it.

Signs of water line damage

The following signs will tell you if your water line is damaged:

Discolored water from the faucets because of corrosion inside the pipe or soil getting into the water line.
A significant drop in water pressure that is not from the municipal water supply.
Patches of wet or soggy soil in the yard indicate the presence of a leak.
Inexplicable spikes in your water bill due to an undetected leak.

If you suspect your water line is damaged due to the main reasons outlined, seek out a professional plumber to fix it.

Jun '22

Common Water Line Problems That Require Repair or Replacement

Have you ever imagined what life would be like if you did not have potable water running in your home? Would modern life exist if you had to dig a well and every time you needed water, go to the well and manually fetch water from it?

The water that flows in your home is a lifesaver and the pipes that make it possible for that water to reach your home are a lifeline. Without those pipes, you would not have the convenience of a modern home with water on demand, explains Keyrenter Hampton Roads.

But this fact is not always obvious because your home’s water line is out of sight. Homeowners tend to forget that this vital part of the home’s plumbing also requires attention. Your water line is subject to many of the same issues that the rest of your plumbing is.

The water line can get damaged. It can get old or the very water that runs through the water line can corrode the pipes and make them less efficient. If your water line collapses, your ability to do simple household tasks will come to an abrupt end.

But this doesn’t happen often because water lines are designed to be sturdy and can go for many years without any signs of trouble. But this is also why water line issues are costly to fix. The problem can build up for years, only to be discovered after it has done maximum damage.

This is why it is important to always make sure your water line is in good condition. You need a competent local plumber to inspect the system periodically and make sure everything is as it should be. You should also know the potential problems that can happen with your water line. in some cases it makes more sense to replace your entire water line than to have it spot repaired.

What are the common water line problems that require repair or replacement?

Old pipes or regular wear and tear

If your home is old and the pipes have not been replaced since the house was built, you can expect more water line problems. Firstly, your water line may have metal pipes that are more prone to corrosion. Secondly, a lot of the other factors listed below may be affecting the pipes.

Tree roots intrusion

Tree roots can damage your water line either by dislodging it or by penetrating the pipes. The latter problem is more common when the pipe already has a leak or weak point. But pipes that are dislodged by tree roots may eventually start to leak also.

Poor installation and human error

If pipes are not installed by a professional or according to the proper procedures, you will have issues with the water line. Water lines may also be damaged if heavy equipment is driven over the ground where pipes are buried. This can also happen if someone digs in the yard and accidentally damages the pipe.

High water pressure

Excessively high water pressure is more damaging to your plumbing than low water pressure, although the latter problem is more likely to get your attention. High water pressure causes vibrations inside pipes that can damage the water line or home appliances and cause leaks.

Soil movements

Upward or downward movement of the soil surrounding your water line can dislodge the pipes and cause you all kinds of problems. These movements are often unforeseen at the time the pipes were laid. Also, there may be no practical way to predict or prevent these ground movements or seismic activity.

Sediment buildup and mineral deposit

If the water in your city is hard, the water line will be more susceptible to this particular issue. The mineral content of water, along with other impurities, will be deposited inside your pipes as water travels through them. Over time this can narrow the diameter of the pipes and make them more likely to burst and leak.

Accumulation of dirt inside the water line

This does not typically happen unless the water line is broken. If the line is cracked anywhere along its length, dirt from the surrounding soil can find its way into the pipes. You can usually tell when you have this problem because the water coming into your home will be discolored.

Frozen water

This is a common issue in areas with harsh winters. If the water line has ever frozen or come close to freezing, the structural integrity of the pipes may be compromised. Freezing water will stress the pipe as the water inside the pipe expands, making the water line more likely to burst or leak.

Water leaks

The water line can leak as a result of the problems listed above or for unknown reasons. Water line leaks are not as easy to detect as leaks inside your home. If you notice spikes in your water bill without any changes in your water usage, you may have a leak in your plumbing systems, possibly in the water line.

Rodent damage

Burrowing animals, especially rodents, can damage your water line. They will damage the water line not just by digging around the pipes and dislodging them, but also by chewing on the pipes.