How Does Ice Burst Water Pipes?

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

While we hope you never experience a disaster in your home, we do know we are ready to help you restore it in the event of one

try and say that title 3 times fast! LOL. but seriously, Frozen pipes are worse than a bad joke.

So most people know that when water freezes it expands. It makes a fool of us all at times. Raise your hand if you have left a soda in the freezer, only to return to an explosion of sticky icy sugar everywhere! 

Water Molecules in a natural state are very fluid, but when it reaches it’s freezing point the molecules take on a hexagon structure. This frozen ice block will expand outwards, along the path of least resistance. As it pushes forward, the pressure starts building. While the water in the pipe will flow back towards the main water line in the street, the water trapped between your faucet and the ice block will have nowhere to escape. Once the pressure is too great, somewhere along the line  it will fail. Pipes that are the most at risk are those in uninsulated or unheated spaces( your garage, your attic, poorly insulated outside walls).

How to Prevent Your Pipes from Bursting in Winter

• Keep your garage door closed!
• Open cabinets under the sink and in the bathroom, so that they can be reached by the warm air in your home
• Insulate pipes
• On exceptionally cold nights below freezing leave your taps dripping slightly. This might waste a small amount of water, but the wasted water will cost you less than having to replace busted pipes

If your pipes have burst or you notice them leaking, then it’s best to go ahead and turn off the water at your main line.

Then you’ll want to call a plumber, and then you’ll want to call SERVPRO of Winston Salem North 336 744 5104.