Water Line Break Damage in Yakima and Wenatchee

As a property owner, a water line break is one of your worst nightmares. The flooding caused by a water line break can result in severe damage to the building, flooring ceilings, walls and other structural areas, including your property’s foundation. When a water line break occurs, prompt action is critical to minimize the damage and prevent additional serious issues from developing down the road.

At Just Right Cleaning and Construction, we provide comprehensive water damage restoration services and have extensive experience addressing damage caused by water line breaks. Our team offers 24/7 emergency response services for residential and commercial properties, and our team will arrive shortly after receiving your call to begin work.

Common Causes of a Water Line Break

Water line breaks can occur due to a variety of factors. Some of the most common causes include:

• Aging Infrastructure - Pipes aren’t meant to last forever. Once water line pipes become old, they’re more prone to cracking and breaking.
• Temperature Changes - Freezing temperatures can cause water inside pipes to expand, leading to ruptures. Very hot temperatures can cause the soil to shift, placing excessive stress on the water line that may cause a rupture.
• Soil Erosion - Over time, hard rains, strong winds and flowing water can result in soil erosion that causes the ground to shift. This may potentially cause a water line to break.
• Corrosion - Over time, chemical reactions between the pipe material and the environment can result in corrosion that weakens the pipes, making them more prone to breaking.
• Human Error - Accidental damage during excavation or construction can also lead to water line breaks.
• High Water Pressure - Sudden increases in water flow or pressure can stress the pipes in your water line, potentially leading to failure.

• Brown or rusty water due to soil and/or rust entering your plumbing system through the cracks in your water line.
• Pools of water on your property that develop in the absence of a significant rainstorm.
• Low water pressure.
• Significant increase in your water bill that can’t be explained by regular fluctuations in monthly usage.
• Flooding to your property that results in extensive water damage to walls, floors, furniture, electrical systems and personal belongings.
• Strange noises such as bubbling or gurgling sounds when faucets are used and toilets are flushed.

What Is the Difference Between a Water Line Break and a Main Water Line Break?

Water line breaks and main water line breaks are two separate issues, and both of them can cause serious damage to your home or business. The main difference between these two issues involves the location and scale of the problem.

Water line breaks occur in the service line connecting your property to the municipal water supply. This issue generally only impacts a single property or a small number of adjacent properties. Water line breaks usually result in localized issues such as reduced water pressure or water damage to your property. In most instances, the property owner will be responsible for repairs to a water line break occurring on their property.

Main water line breaks refer to situations where there is a break in the larger, central pipes of the municipal water distribution network. Main water line breaks affect a wider area, potentially resulting in damage to multiple properties or entire neighborhoods. The damage caused by a main water line break is generally more extensive and can include widespread loss of water pressure, contamination of the water supply and the creation of sinkholes. In most instances, the local water utility or municipality is responsible for the repairs to a broken main water line; however, they will generally not be responsible for the cost of repairs to your home or business.

Due to the serious consequences associated with water damage, it’s critical that you act fast when you have a broken water line. Call a plumber at once to fix the broken pipes in your water line. If the issue is associated with a main water line break, contact your local water utility or municipality so that they can make all necessary repairs to the pipes as quickly as possible.

If you notice any signs of water damage in your home or business, contact a professional water damage restoration company. Working with restoration experts is critical to ensure the entire process is professionally managed, and all potential hazards have been addressed. Failure to have a water damage restoration company perform all repairs after a water line break can potentially increase the risk of additional damage down the road.