A burst pipe is a type of plumbing leak that causes massive water damage. Reports suggest that in the U.S., water damage resulting from a burst pipe is the second most-filed insurance claim. Drain or water pipes may burst due to mechanical damage, puncture, corrosion, or faulty product.
Some common reasons why pipes burst:
- CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) pipes were introduced in the U.S in 1959 but were found defective as there were mechanical damage and deterioration from sunlight. Subsequently, polybutylene piping was initiated in 1978 but was banned from most building codes as its performance deteriorated when exposed to chlorinated water. These problems caused both slow leaks and pipe bursting without any prior warning.
- Freezing pipe damage- When water freezes, it expands, creating excessive pressure within the pipe, causing fissures. To prevent this, get insulation for both cold and hot water pipes. This mostly happens when regions that don’t usually have a cold climate suddenly get unusually low temperatures. It is observed that whenever temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the chances of pipes freezing is high.
- Excessive water pressure causes narrow copper pipes to burst due to thinning of the walls as the coating on the inside gets oxidized.
- Brass connector leaks in pressurized plastic piping- The brass alloy contains zinc which dissolves in low pH water, creating holes that can cause bursts. Dezincification also debilitates other brass pipe fittings.
- Concealing plastic piping in rocky terrain or driving over areas that have pipes embedded at a shallow depth can lead to breaks and ruptures.
- Other quality-related issues are over-heating or under-heating plastic piping during joint fitting and over-tightening or under-tightening metal connector parts such as hose clamps.
A burst water pipe can cause great destruction in your home and send you on a lengthy journey of a claims process and settlement. Water damage due to a pipe burst may leave damp spots on your flooring and walls, spoil furniture and electronics, soil clothing, important papers, and photographs that you hold dear. Mold can start growing due to dampness. Depending on the terms of the policy, your home insurance may pay for the water damage due to a pipe burst but may not pay for repairing the burst pipe. Your insurance company will send their claims adjuster to your home to complete a cursory inspection. Their objective is to settle your claim as quickly as possible.
At times like this, you need the services of a licensed public claims adjuster who will speak up for you. They have the expertise and knowledge to advise when a mold hygienist or a restoration expert is required. Commencing with proper investigations, followed by documentation and clarity of your policy clauses, public adjusters are well-informed about the required code upgrades, and they compile all the data to arrive at a final estimate to get you the highest settlement possible.
Process your pipe burst damage insurance claim with help from Experienced Public Adjuster.