During the peak of the winter season, a sprinkler pipe in a U.S. hospital burst due to the below-freezing temperatures outside. The pipe was on the hospital's second floor, deep within the walls between the floors. As a result, the burst was not immediately noticed.
However, within minutes, an alarming 100 gallons of water per minute were surging out of the burst pipe. It was a staggering 45 minutes before the hospital staff realized the issue and called in the engineers.
By then, the damage was extensive. The hospital floors were submerged in greywater, a type of water that is unsuitable for human consumption.
As dire as the situation was, it could have been far more catastrophic. The burst pipe was in a section of the hospital that was rarely used. Thankfully, a maintenance worker was in the area and noticed the water pouring from the ceiling.
Other Causes of Water Leaks
This is an extreme example of a widespread problem. Leaking pipes concealed deep within a facility's walls can occur for various reasons. Among the reasons for this are the following:
• Corrosion has set in, especially in older facilities.
• Extreme temperatures, as was the case in the hospital just discussed.
• Tree roots put pressure on the pipes, causing them to break.
• Clogs, causing water to back up and increasing pressure on the pipe.
• Poor installation.
• High water pressure on the pipe, causing them to burst.
• Seals, valves, washers, and other connection components becoming worn out or malfunctioning.
• Pipes that have not carried water for prolonged periods; the lack of use can cause valves and connections to degrade.
There can be other reasons pipes burst. One of the most common is during renovation. Installing new drywall can pierce a pipe hidden in the wall. Sometimes, this causes just a dribble. But when it comes to water leaks, a dribble can soon become a flood.
Earthquakes are famous for causing pipes to burst or leak. Many times, just the settling of the building or land around the building can also produce leaks.
Addressing Water Leaks
There is no easy way to minimize the chances of a water leak forming in a building. However, advances in water leak technologies can help significantly. Such equipment includes water alarms, thermal imaging, infrared cameras, acoustic and ultrasonic leak detectors, and even satellites to detect water leaks in a building and areas around the building.
These systems are often very interactive. They continuously monitor plumbing systems and are designed to send text messages and alerts to maintenance personnel, allowing them to address a leak or pipe burst as quickly as possible.
Other technologies are more straightforward but just as important. Some monitor water consumption on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. If water consumption jumps – often due to a leak – once again, maintenance personnel are notified so they can begin looking into the problem.
Preventing Water Leaks
A way to prevent water leaks in the first place is to find ways not to use water at all. As facilities around the country eliminate or minimize outdoor vegetation, piping systems can be removed, reducing the chances of a leak.
Building owners and managers are also continuously exploring ways to reduce water usage within their facilities.
One of the most common starting points is replacing conventional urinals with no-water urinals. In the U.S., millions of miles of plumbing are installed to provide water to conventional urinals, which can lead to millions of reasons for water leaks.
By eliminating outdoor pipes that are no longer needed and conventional urinals, the chances of water leaks and the problems they cause can be drastically reduced and contribute significantly to water efficiency efforts.
Klaus Reichardt is CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc., a pioneer in advancing water efficiency. Reichardt founded the company in 1991 to establish a new market segment in the plumbing fixture industry with water efficiency in mind. Reichardt is a frequent writer and presenter who discusses water conservation issues. He can be reached at klaus@waterless.com
