Why is my Pipe Broken?

All pipe-related failures are the result of one or more of the following three fundamental causes:

Piping is always part of a larger system or environment which should not be ignored. A complete piping system includes the correct supports, correct restraints, isolation from vibration, insulation from temperature extremes, and other environmental factors. The pipe may be poorly supported from above, from below, on the sides, or longitudinally. The casual observer may see a broken pipe, when the cause of the problem is the failure to follow industry-standard application and installation instructions. Examples include: improper backfill material, improper backfilling procedure, corrosive soils (if buried), excessive external pipe loads, missing supports, the wrong type of supports, the wrong type of pipe restraints, freezing, and damage by subsequent construction.
Piping is intended to convey fluid(s) which are within certain limits for temperature, pressure, velocity, chemical compatibility, etc. All of these parameters are a matter of written industry standards, and they can all be measured and tested. Therefore, there is a potential path to discovering whether the characteristics of the fluid contributed to a failure of the pipe to provide adequate service. Examples include: corrosive liquids, excessive pressure or temperature, pressure cycles (water hammer), abrasive sediment, etc.
All piping materials and all joint types have specific standards for manufacturing, applications, materials, design, dimensions, installation, and testing. If comprehensive information is not available for all of these, then that type of pipe should not be used. The manufacturer must meet the manufacturing requirements. The designer must follow the written application instructions. The installer must follow the written installation instructions. Examples of causes within the dimensions of the pipe wall include: manufacturing defects, improper pipe tapping procedure, incorrect joint assembly, damaged gaskets, wrong gaskets, etc.

Try This:

You should obtain video or photographic documentation of the piping defect(s) or failure(s). If you have access to the site, create documentation as soon as possible, before the evidence is disturbed, destroyed, or removed.  There will usually be somebody onsite who has a vested interest in actions which destroy the evidence (unintentionally or otherwise).  If the piping is above-ground, you may need to peel back or remove any covering to obtain good documentation.  Obtain panoramic photos which show the entire site, and close-up photos which show the details of failed surfaces.  If the piping is underground, then you might be able to obtain in-pipe video by calling a plumber, or renting a push-camera from your local rental store.  If the pipe is at least 6-inches in diameter and has good access, you should consider obtaining the services of a professional who uses a self-propelled camera, as you will obtain better images from that type of equipment.

As is the case with the majority of pipe failures, the most proximate cause is usually the failure to follow written industry standards.  In other words: human error.

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