Why do pipes freeze in winter?
They are one of those things that no one ever wants to deal with but that often happen in the winter: frozen pipes. In addition to leaving the house without water, the pipes can also burst, causing damage. Why do pipes freeze in winter and what can be done to prevent them from getting cold enough to freeze? What to do if the pipes burst? Here are some tips to help you get through the winter with the plumbing system intact.
Why do they freeze?
The first thing to ask is: why do pipes freeze?
Like most things filled with water, pipes freeze when the temperature drops below the freezing point of the water: 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. For Plumbing Services Contact us
Speaking of pipes, there are two other variables to consider: movement and expansion. It is more difficult for water to freeze if it is moving. This is why lakes freeze at 0 degrees, but it takes much lower temperatures to solidify rivers and waterfalls.
If a section of the pipe starts to freeze, the water expands. This behavior is an anomaly in nature because most liquids do not increase in size when they solidify. The water, however, will become denser until it reaches a point just before freezing, and then begins to expand again. In a confined space such as the inside of a pipe, this extra pressure has nowhere to go, so it will cause it to rupture.
Prevent pipe breakage:
If you live in an area where temperatures are often cold, what can you do to prevent the pipes from breaking once the temperature drops?
Keep the internal temperature well above freezing, especially near exposed pipes. Most of the pipes inside the house are not insulated, so if it is too cold in the house they could be vulnerable. This rule of thumb does not usually include the pipes inside the walls: the material inside them also protects the pipes.
If you have pipes outside or in an unheated area, take the time to insulate them. Pipe insulation is cheap, easy to make and, depending on the thickness of the insulation, can protect the pipes from temperatures even below zero. If, for any reason, you cannot wind the pipes, run a trickle of water from the taps: the movement will make it more difficult for the water to freeze. For residential plumbing contact us
If a pipe freezes (you notice this, for example, because no more water comes out of a tap), turn off the main water valve in the house and use the hot air to thaw the frozen point. A hairdryer, hot water or an electric heater are perfect for the purpose. Once the ice has melted, turn the water back on and check that there are no leaks in the tube.
What happens if a pipe breaks?
If the worst case occurs and one of the pipes breaks due to the cold, don’t panic. Begin closing the main water valve in the house to prevent further damage. A broken pipe can pour between 15 and 30 liters of water per minute into the house.
If there are any breakers or electrical outlets in the area around the leak, be sure to turn off the power in that area. If the broken pipe is near the electrical panel, turn off the power completely to avoid shocks and damage to the rest of the electrical system in the house.
Once the power has been turned off, it is necessary to start eliminating the water has leaked and empty the rest of the water system in the house. Turn off the water heater and turn on the taps on the sinks and showers. Also flush the toilet water.
This step will prevent more water from escaping even after having disconnected the water.
The faster you eliminate the water from your home, the less damage it will be able to do. Wet carpets, upholstery and drywall are the main causes of mold, which can be dangerous to health.
Once everything is perfectly clean, contact the insurance. Many policies cover the costs of arranging the pipes and any damage caused by water.
Finally, the broken pipe needs to be repaired. If you know how to get by and have a bit of experience, you can do it yourself. If not, the best thing to do is to call a professional plumber to replace the hose so that it doesn’t leak when you turn the water back on. For Commercial Plumbing Contact us
Nobody thinks of a pipe that could burst during the winter, but it happens. The old saying still holds true: better to be safe than sorry. Insulating the pipes and keeping a trickle of running water during cold nights can save you a lot of money in the long run.