It is no doubt that when pipes burst, it can cause a lot of frustration. Understanding why they burst is important in preventing it from happening.
Frozen And Burst Pipe Investigations
Mechanical engineers at Robson Forensic are very busy throughout the winter months when pipes freeze, burst open, and a flow of water comes gushing out of them. The engineers try to figure out what caused the pipes to burst, and the objective of this article is to lend some insight and information on frozen and bursting pipes.
When pipes are exposed to temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for a lengthy duration of time, the water contained in them can freeze. There are two reasons for this:
- The pipes were installed in an area that doesn’t contain the proper protection.
- There isn’t enough heat in the area to keep the pipes from freezing in the first place.
Fire protection piping, irrigation piping, HVAC heating and cooling piping, and domestic water piping are prone to the damage of freezing temperatures. When they freeze, both plastic and metal freeze pipes can burst open. The tiniest crack in a burst freeze pipe can leak even thousands of gallons of water throughout the course of a whole day, depending on the size of the pipe, as well as the pressure of the system. This can cause disastrous effects in a house and create a breeding ground for mould.
There are common questions that need to be tackled in the course of these examinations concerning the overall design of the system, the installation of it, operation, and ongoing maintenance.
Why Do Pipes Burst?
Water generally expands when it freezes. If you decide to leave a can of soda inside your freezer, it will burst and most likely leave a mess to clean up. The same goes for water in pipes. It will expand in exactly the same way. The burst of a pipe does not always necessarily occur at the precise location where the ice blockage is. The expansion of ice will put a lot of pressure on the wall of the pipe, but also pressurizes the water that is stuck in the space between the ice and the fixture or closed valve. ⠀Gradually, the water will keep on freezing inside of the pipe, which means it will continue to expand and create excess pressure. With the increase of this pressure, there also comes an increased risk of the pipe bursting open in a spot where there is no blocked ice.
Precautions need to be taken to avoid this from happening and there are a variety of steps that homeowners can take to ensure that water pipes won’t freeze, burst, and cause damage throughout a home. Sometime in the fall and before the weather gets to below freezing levels, make sure that all of your heating equipment is well-serviced, fully functional, and everything is turned on. Ensure that all of the thermostats located throughout the home are set a temperature that is high enough to prevent any freezing from occurring in the first place. They should be set at temperatures above zero. If you have pipes that are in areas that aren’t typically heated, then you will need some method of protection like electric heat tape, antifreeze, or water that is constantly moving through the pipes. You should disconnect garden hoses, and it is ideal to have an indoor shut off valve that can drain the water from seeping into any pipes that go to faucets located outdoors. The valve outside should remain open to ensure that any excess water left in the pipe can expand while not wreaking havoc on the pipe. To prevent the situation from getting worse, make sure you have a specialist taking a look at the status of your pipes and gutters. In that regard, LeafCo Gutters will be an excellent choice.
Outside garden hoses which remain attached to any outside faucets can increase the chances that the pipe might freeze in the wall. If you have any leaks that will let cold air inside the location of the pipes, make sure these are all sealed off. In terms of electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes, look for air holes around wall openings and use caulking or insulation to make sure that the cold air cannot get in. Even a small opening can let in plenty of cold air and end up causing a pipe to freeze with the severe winters in some areas. Once the weather is cold out, sometimes all it takes is a tiny bit of hot and cold water to ensure the pipes won’t freeze. If the weather is extremely cold, it’s recommended to allow the water to drip from the faucet a bit. Just as a cold water supply line can freeze, a hot water one isn’t immune from this occurring.
It’s important to keep the thermostat set at the very same temperature during extreme cold throughout day and night, instead of lowering the heat when you go to bed, as many people do. Unexpected temperature drops that commonly happen overnight can catch homeowners by surprise and lead to frozen pipes.
Keeping cabinet doors in your bathroom and kitchen open is important because it lets the pipes be exposed to the warm air, especially if the pipes aren’t insulated or are located close to exterior walls. If you have water supply lines in your garage, then it’s highly recommended to keep the garage doors shut. If you end up going on vacation or aren’t in your home for a long period of time, then the best piece of advice is to just shut off the water system and completely drain it to prevent damage. All faucets should be opened and the main water valve should be turned off.
Non-toxic anti-freeze should be used to fill plumbing fixtures. If you have any swimming pool or irrigation lines, these should all be drained. Be cautious to note that if the building contains a fire protection system, it may be disabled when the water is turned off.
Leave the thermostat set high enough when away from home during cold conditions so the water in the pipes stays above freezing. It should always be set to above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The reading on the thermostat is not always the temperature in the building’s coldest region. Thermostats typically only have the ability to measure whatever temperature is in the room that they are installed in. Water pipes are most likely to be frozen along the outer walls and in areas that aren’t heated.
It’s recommended to get a friend to drop by your house while you are gone to check on the heat, ensure that it is working, and keeping the home above freezing temperatures. Temperature monitors are handy tools used to provide you with updates on if the temperature goes under a certain level. This will let you know that the heat is not working properly.