Pipes are literally bursting everywhere in the United States. Not even Prada gowns and perfect weather could keep the red carpet dry. It was a sunny day in L.A. for Sunday’s 71st annual Golden Globe Awards, and just less than two hours before the guests of honor arrived, a pipe burst, driving 5,000 gallons of water into the area where many journalists were posted with their equipment.
While a majority of people connect bursting pipes with cold weather, this incident was reportedly triggered when a big light used for producing video was placed too close to a heat sensor, which then tripped the sprinkler system. Could happen anywhere. And does.
Water holds a unique substance that makes it expand as it freezes. This growth puts enormous pressure on its container, including plastic or metal pipes. No matter how sturdy the material of the container, expanding water can cause pipes to break, in the same way that a can of soda – accidentally left in the freezer – will also explode.
Surprising to some, ice that forms in a pipe does not typically cause a break where the ice blockage happens. If the water in the pipe expands enough, the pipe bursts, water escapes and serious damage is the result. When this damage happens to your home, call the experts at Paul Davis to take the best care of you.
Paul Davis Restoration of Northern Virginia assists the following communities with water, fire, mold and storm damage clean up and repair: click here.
