What causes pipes to burst? There are a number of potential reasons why pipes inside a home can experience too much stress and break open, causing major flooding and damage problems for homeowners. But there are 4 chief causes of burst pipes:
Let's review some of the common causes and go over the steps to take when you encounter a pipe that has burst. Extremely Cold temperaturesCold weather can cause serious issues when it affects the water supply pipes in your home. Although cold temperatures generally cause things to contract, ice has more volume than water so when water freezes inside a pipe, it expands and increases pressure inside the pipe. The building pressure needs to escape so it literally bursts right out of the pipe. This sometimes occurs at a weak joint in the pipe but pressure can burst right out the side of the pipe wall. One way to prevent water pipes from bursting during extreme cold is to turn on your faucets to allow a slow but steady stream of water to escape. This will keep water moving through the pipes and, most importantly, prevent pressure from building up inside. To prevent frozen pipes, Insulate exposed water supply pipes with foam pipe sleeves and don’t allow the temperature in the house to fall below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow warm air to circulate around pipes. For help winterizing your home, consider reaching out to your local Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain Service. Movement / Water HammerIf water pipes aren’t secured, they can sometimes move around inside the walls whenever water is suddenly turned on or off. If you’ve ever heard pipes clanging inside walls or floors, it’s called water hammer. The pipes move back and forth and gradually can weaken joints in the pipe until one fails and allows pressurized water to escape the pipe. The resulting damage can be catastrophic and expensive. Water pressure issuesMaintaining normal water pressure is vital for your water supply pipes to function properly. A significant increase in the water pressure can lead to a burst pipe or a failed plumbing fixture such as a faucet or toilet. As pressure increases, the pipes won’t be able to contain it, causing a rupture. If you suspect your water pressure is too high, you can check it by attaching a pressure gauge to a sink spout and turning on the faucet. The pressure will move the needle on the gauge and display the water pressure in psi (pounds per square inch). The water pressure in most homes is between 30-50 psi and in most cases it should not exceed 60 psi to avoid damage to pipes and plumbing fixtures. If your home’s water pressure is too high, a plumber can install a pressure reducing valve to adjust it down to safer levels. CorrosionPipes are meant to last a long time, and the vast majority of them provide many decades of reliable service. However, that doesn't mean pipes will last indefinitely. Sometimes years of slow building corrosion will cause a pipe to fail. Corrosion can be caused by a pH imbalance in the water, a minor issue at first that over time becomes more takes its toll on water pipes. If you have hard water and your water supply pipes are made of galvanized iron, the minerals inside the water slowly wear down the galvanized coating (which itself can cause dangerous lead poisoning) and expose the iron pipe beneath. In time, the iron turns to rust (iron oxide) and gradually narrows the diameter of the pipe so that water can barely get through the pipe. Your pipe may burst or it may just close itself off and prohibit water flow altogether. If you experience a burst pipe, it is important to determine the exact cause in order to prevent the problem from recurring. An experienced, licensed Roto-Rooter plumber can inspect your plumbing, determine your home’s water pressure and make any necessary adjustments.
Why do water pipes burst, and why do they always fail the same way? These are two interesting questions. Water pipes burst because the water inside them expands as it gets close to freezing, and this causes an increase in pressure inside the pipe. When the pressure gets too high for the pipe to contain, it ruptures. This expansion phenomenon seems natural, but interestingly, it is a chemical anomaly. Most liquids do not expand just before transition to solid. You should be thankful for this; it is one of the reasons that life exists. When a liquid cools, the molecules slow down (temperature really is just a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules). This slowing down allows the molecules to get closer together and increases the density of the liquid. This happens with water too, and when water is cooled down, it gets denser and denser, down to 3.98°C. Then, something interesting occurs; it starts to expand again. You can see this effect on the graph below which shows how the density of pure water changes with temperature (at one atmosphere). You can see how density reaches a maximum at 3.98°C.  Because of the shape of a water molecule, it is slightly polarized. The electrons buzzing around it are more likely to be on one side of the molecule than the other (called a dipole), and this asymmetry creates a slight potential. Read more here. 1From “Why Cold Weather Makes Your Water Pipes Burst”, Nick Berry, DataGenetics, December 11, 2013 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) -The main reason that pipes burst during the winter is that the water coming into your house from the outside is much colder than it was during the summer months. The cold water causes your pipes to contract and in weaker parts, can cause the pipe to burst. This happens because the pipe becomes unable to withhold the water pressures inside it. Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit but thankfully your pipes are protected from freezing temperatures due to the insulation in your home. This means that just because it is right at the freezing mark outside, that doesn’t mean your pipes are frozen or will freeze. Normally, your home’s pipes begin to freeze when the outside temperature is at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit but this depends on your geographical location. For example, areas that expect lower temperatures have water pipes that are better insulated in inner parts of your home, compared to other areas. In general in order for your home’s water pipes to freeze, the outside temperature needs to be below 20 degrees, for a total of at least six consecutive hours. How long it will take for your pipes to freeze and burst also depends on your home’s insulation, and how deep inside your home your water pipes are located. if you live in a geographical location that usually does not suffer from cold winters, chances are that your water pipes do not have that much insulation to protect them from extreme temperatures. In such cases, the time that it may take for your pipes to freeze and burst may in fact be lower. There are signs that can help you identify, that your pipe maybe frozen. One of the earliest signs is when no water is coming out of your faucet when you turn it on. Plumbers suggest that when you notice that, check to make sure that the water is still running and that there is no leak in the basement. Then check to make sure none of your pipes have burst by continuing your inspection. There are several things you can do if your pipes are frozen but have not ruptured:
Here is some precautions you can take to help prevent your pipes from bursting. 1. Keep Water Faucets Running Especially when temperatures are very cold, always keep one or two faucets running slowly. Water moving through the system should prevent the line from freezing. 2. Direct Warm Air To Cold Areas Of Your Home Often, the pipes that freeze are located near an outside wall or a window, so be sure to direct warm air to any colder areas of your home. (Start in your basement and look for any pipes near the exterior of the home). 3. Leave Your Cabinet Doors Open If your kitchen sink is on an outside wall (as it usually is), be sure to leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air into the cabinet. 4. Disconnect Your Hose From The Outside Faucet Be sure to disconnect your hose from the outside faucet. If you leave your hose connected, water is not able to drain out of your hose bib and can freeze and break the device. 5. Install Heat Tape There is a product called heat tape that can be installed and will warm pipes as needed during cold weather. You may want to consult with a plumber to learn the best practices. 6. Seal Leaks That Allow Cold Air Into Your Home Seal leaks that allow cold air into your home where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out. When temperatures are very cold, even a small opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze. 7. Check Your Home’s Temperature Prevent temperatures from dropping below 32 degrees in any area of your home where water lines are located. 8. Call An Expert Plumber An expert licensed plumber will be able to locate potential pipe bursts and prevent them from happening. Copyright 2022 WMC. All rights reserved. Click here to sign up for our newsletter! Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Please include the headline. |
Why do pipes burst in the winter
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