As the weather turns cold, water main breaks become more common. This is due to the expansion and contraction of the pipe material which weakens it. Pipe corrosion, soil conditions, age and ground movement can also cause water main breaks, creating unexpected problems for customers and motorists.
How common are water main breaks?
Each day, 850 water main breaks occur in North America. Since January 2000, we have suffered 4,917,614 broken water mains (More info here).
How do you stop a water main break?
There are several steps to take to reduce the risk of a water main breaking.
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These include:
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These include:
- Monitor pressure changes. ...
- Control soil erosion. ...
- Use extra caution when digging.