{"id":764,"date":"2022-09-12T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-12T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crowngroupohio.com\/blog\/?p=764"},"modified":"2025-01-03T17:11:18","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T22:11:18","slug":"why-do-water-pipes-sometimes-burst-in-the-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crowngroupohio.com\/blog\/plumbing-service\/why-do-water-pipes-sometimes-burst-in-the-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Water Pipes Sometimes Burst in the Winter?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"icicles-on-pipe\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The summer weather is still here and it\u2019s still hot\u2014so we thought we\u2019d cool you down a bit with some talk of ice. Specifically, we\u2019re going to answer a question many homeowners have about winter conditions and their plumbing: Why do water pipes sometimes burst in the winter?<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re not talking about this just as a nice break from the heat. Fall is almost here, and that\u2019s the time to make preparations to prevent pipe bursting in the winter. A bit of precaution goes a long way when it comes to stopping this problem in your home. \u00a0If you\u2019re already noticing low water pressure at home<\/a>, it could indicate underlying issues that may worsen in the winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Cause of Burst Pipes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The basic source of burst water pipes is pipe freeze. You obviously don\u2019t want the water in your pipes to freeze because that will mean no water flow. But it also creates the high likelihood that the pipe will burst laterally and need to be replaced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason that frozen pipes often burst is because water takes up more space in solid form (ice) than in liquid form. As water freezes, its molecules crystalize into a matrix shaped like an open hexagon, and this expands the area the water takes up. If you\u2019ve ever poured water into a glass and put it into the freezer by accident, you may find the glass has cracked later after the water froze: the rigid and fragile glass couldn\u2019t expand to match the expanse of the ice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pipes are made of material that\u2019s much more durable than glass, but the pipes don\u2019t burst just because the water expanded as it froze. No, the real problem here is an increase in pressure inside the pipe. As the ice expands, it creates greater pressure in the pipe between the ice and a closed faucet. This pressure can be enough to cause a lateral burst along the pipe. If there are any weak spots in a pipe, such as loose connections, bursting can happen even easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steel pipes are the most susceptible to bursting because of their age and rigidity. Copper pipes are more flexible, but they can burst as well. Not even PEX and PVC plastic pipes are immune to bursting\u2014it just may take them longer to reach the bursting point.\u00a0If you\u2019ve experienced unusual plumbing behavior, such as knocking noises in your walls<\/a>, it might indicate weak spots in your pipes that need attention before winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do encounter frozen pipes, please don\u2019t attempt to thaw the pipes on your own. This will raise pressure even further in the pipe and cause it to burst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frozen pipe prevention<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n