Water supply has so many important uses in our daily lives. It is hard to imagine how we all managed before water pipes and taps since we use water for almost everything.
So, it can be pretty bothersome if any kind of interruption happens in our water supply system. Burst water pipes, leaking pipes, or faulty mainlines are considered among the most common plumbing emergencies.
It affects millions of households and even offices. Knowing the likelihood of having a water leak or burst pipe is not enough; you also need to know how long it takes to repair a water pipe.
A quick temporary fix can be done in the case of minor damage, but it is always advisable to seek the help of an expert in situations where the damage is substantial. Repairing a burst water pipe can take as little as hours or as much as days or even weeks depending on the following factors:
Many reasons could result in water pipes bursting, especially water mains. Some water mains have been constructed for almost a century, and over time, they have begun to wear and can usually burst.
Cold weather or dry weather conditions can also cause sudden movement in the ground leading to burst pipes. Detecting a burst is not usually very simple.
There are situations where leaks and bursts happen to an exposed water pipe, but it is more complex when you see water metres away from where the pipe is located.
Leak detection can also take time if the damage to the pipe occurs at multiple points. There are several effective ways of detecting bursts or leaks.
The experts would know the most suitable leak detection equipment to use. After the leak has been detected, depending on the location of the damage, the expert may need to do some careful digging to avoid causing further damage.
For pipes with concealed damages where leak detection needs to be carried out, the estimated repair time may take three days.
The location of a burst pipe can either speed up or increase the repair time. For example, if the water pipe is located inside a wall or under a tiled floor when repair has appropriately been made, or in some cases, re-installation depending on the extent of the damage, the wall, or the tiled floor will also have to be repaired which will take time.
In some cases, where the damage was caused due to improper installation or a flawed plumbing plan, experts may try to relocate the water pipe altogether to avoid the recurrence of the damage.
So, water pipes under the sink or in a more accessible location can take as little as minutes to repair, while the more concealed ones can take hours to fix or days.
Due to high water pressure, larger pipes are more prone to bursts than smaller ones. This does not mean that leaks and bursts do not happen in smaller lines, but rather, it is usually easier to fix in smaller pipes.
As a general rule, the smaller the size of the leak, the easier the fix and the shorter the repair time. Damage to water pipes could be as little as a pinhole leakage which could be easily fixed using epoxy glue or clamps to the more complicated pipe bursts and toilet supply line failure.
For toilet supply line leakages, the solution could be as simple as tightening the supply line to replacing the supply line altogether. Leaks from corroded pipes or tanks are equally dangerous and may need replacing, especially for lead pipes or soldered pipes.
In such situations, you should see an expert about treating the supply water to ensure that it is safe for use. Repairing a leak from a detected corroded pipe may take weeks because the water has to be tested for traces of lead.
Irrigation system leaks can be challenging because they are underground and can go unnoticed for months leading to leaks at multiple points. The length of repairing a water pipe can also be delayed if uncommon material pipes are damaged.
In a nutshell, when handling a pipe repair, remember that though leaks and damage to the affected area can be fixed within minutes or hours, an experienced expert may take their time to ensure that damage doesn’t reoccur by taking other measures.
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