What Causes a Pipe to Burst in the Summer?

Dealing with a burst pipe and needing immediate assistance? Call Pride Services at 516-528-3432 to get reliable plumbing help.

We all love summertime. From the bright warm sunshine to pool days and cool popsicles, this time of year brings us lots of enjoyment. However, what you may not realize is that certain summer conditions can cause your pipes to burst. 

So what causes a pipe to burst in summer?

Most homeowners see this as a more winter-related issue. But the truth is that several things can cause your pipes to burst during summer.

As the go-to plumbing maintenance experts in Rockville Centre, NY, we’ve seen a thing or two and know that a pipe bursting in the summertime could be the result of numerous factors. So let’s talk about it.

Tree Roots That Invade Your Pipes

When the summer months roll around, we love looking at the beautiful green trees surrounding our neighborhoods. Unfortunately, these trees have the potential to damage your pipes. 

Invasive tree roots are a common cause of burst pipes at any point of the year. However, trees love to grow in the summer, which means their roots are looking for reliable water sources. If you’re unlucky enough, your plumbing system could become the target of a growing tree. 

Tree roots naturally gravitate toward water sources. If you have a plumbing leak, tree roots will grow toward the water in your pipes, putting pressure on them and eventually causing them to burst. 

The Sun’s Rays

What causes a pipe to burst in summer? Unfortunately, the thing we love most about summertime can cause burst pipes: the sun. 

It’s no secret that the sun’s UV rays can cause damage to different types of surfaces. When the sun shines directly on your plumbing pipes, it causes them to expand, which can, eventually, make them disconnect from each other, all while lowering water pressure. 

A creative way to protect your pipes from the sun’s harsh rays is by painting them with light-colored acrylic paint. This will help your pipes reflect the sun’s rays, lowering the risk of expanding and bursting.

Rusted or Corroded Metal Pipes

If your plumbing system has metal pipes, then they’re at risk of rust and corrosion, which do not just affect your home’s water supply but weaken the structural integrity of your pipes. So if you don’t address it soon enough, you could have to deal with bursting pipes instead of enjoying your favorite summertime activities. 

If you see brownish-yellow water coming out of your faucets, it’s a pretty clear sign that you have a rust problem, so call a plumber as soon as possible.

Hard Water

We refer to hard water as water with high levels of magnesium and calcium. While this won’t cause too much damage to you or your cooking, over time, it can lead to buildup on your pipes. Hard water can also clog pipes and weaken them, eventually leading to burst pipes and water damage on your property.

The good news is that you can prevent hard water from causing damage to your plumbing system by installing a water softener system. This not only protects your plumbing but gives you better-tasting water!

Pipe Clogs and Blockages

Pipe clogs: every homeowner is familiar with them. While you can often fix minor clogs with a plunger or simple DIY solutions, some clogs or blockages are too deep in your plumbing system. If you don’t remove them in time, they will only grow into a worse problem that could eventually cause your pipes to burst. 

You may not realize it, but it’s easier to clog your pipes during the summer. From backyard barbeque’s to popsicles and summer dinner parties, you tend to throw a lot of grease, oil, and scraps into your plumbing system. While this is great for having fun summertime get-togethers, it will wreak havoc on your plumbing system.

Want to prevent this while still having a good time? Make sure to place scraps and grease in the trash can instead of pouring them down the sink and hoping the garbage disposal takes care of it for you. 

Contact Plumbing Experts to Keep Your Summer Enjoyable

Pride Services knows what causes a pipe to burst in summer and how to fix the problem in a timely, professional fashion. 

Got drain pipe problems? Then call Pride Services at (516) 916-6894 to schedule a service and get your plumbing system back to normal in no time. 

Published: Jun 20, 2023