Why burst pipes are more common in winter and how to prevent them

Winter is usually a time for much fun and laughter, even though it can get quite chilly. Not only do you feel the icy cold temperatures, but it also affects your plumbing pipes. Indeed, pipes may freeze and even burst in the winter.

You certainly do not want to come home to a severe flood that has the potential to ruin your holiday. This post considers why burst pipes are more common in winter and what you can do to prevent them.

Here, you can learn why pipes burst during winter and the consequences of pipes bursting in winter. You can also read up on signs of frozen pipes, what to do when pipes burst in winter, and plumbing services for the winter season. Read on to learn more!

Why water pipes burst in the winter

You may want to think that the reason why pipes burst in winter is because the ice expands inside the pipes. However, that is not the only reason. Freezing water in pipes causes the water molecules to expand.

As a result, the expanding ice pushes the water, causing the pressure inside the pipe and between the ice blockage and the faucet to build up. The pipe is ultimately unable to handle the pressure buildup and, therefore, bursts. This rupture usually occurs in pipe areas with little or no ice.

Apart from the expansion and contraction effect of cold weather on pipes, other common causes of burst pipes include the following:

• Ice blockages can lead to clogged and burst pipes. This causes an increase in water pressure above the blockage. This pressure then places additional strain on the pipe.
• Tree roots can penetrate into water pipes and sewer pipes, block them, and lead to the accumulation of dirt and debris. There is, therefore, a loss in water pressure to faucets and showers.
• Cold weather can bring in snow and ice, and melting water that flows into pipes can make metal pipes vulnerable to rusting.
  

Consequences of pipes bursting in winter

It would help if you took frozen or burst water pipes seriously. This is because of the severe damage they can cause to plumbing systems and properties.

Burst water tanks

Pipes bursting due to the freezing weather conditions of winter can lead to a burst water tank. The sub-freezing temperatures cause pipe expansion and create water pressure, leading to water pipes bursting.

Some steps to take to prevent water pipes and water tanks from bursting during winter include the following:

• Use heating timers in a bid to reduce the possibility of water freezing inside pipes. You will also be reducing heating costs.
• You could run your space heater in icy areas to prevent frozen pipes.
  

Water damages and loss of property 

Frozen or burst pipes can cause water leaks. Water leaks can, in turn, lead to water damage and loss or damage to properties and buildings. Many insurers consider burst water pipes to be a preventable occurrence. This is a good reason to prevent burst pipes.

Where do burst pipes commonly occur?

The risk of burst pipes during winter is higher with pipes exposed to freezing temperatures. Burst pipes tend to occur in the following scenarios:

• Pipes that have no insulation or are poorly insulated
• Pipes in unheated indoor areas like exterior walls, attics, basements, and crawl spaces
  

Signs you have frozen pipes

You can get a plumber before severe water damage occurs. Here are some signs that you can use to proactively identify and manage the risk of frozen pipes or burst pipes.

• Your showers or faucets downstream of ice or pipe blockages may lose water pressure.
• Water condensation or the formation of ice crystals can occur on the exterior surfaces of pipes. This is a warning sign that you may have a frozen water pipe.
• Water flowing more slowly than usual or not flowing at all is a sign to look out for.
• Water leaks may occur beneath pipes before the pipe bursts.
• Higher than usual increases in metered water usage and higher water bills may indicate burst pipes.
• Patches of waterlogged ground appear near water pipes.
  

How to reduce the risk of pipes bursting in winter

Here are some great tips for reducing the risk or preventing pipes from bursting:

• Fibreglass sleeves or foam can prevent frozen burst pipes by insulating vulnerable pipes.
• Keeping your faucet open so that water can trickle is a way to prevent water pressure buildup.
• Wrap heated tapes or electrical heating cables around pipes. This will create a heat source that prevents freezing.
• Remember to keep flammable materials away from such heat taps to prevent fire hazards.
• Keep kitchen cabinets and vanity doors open during freezing weather conditions to improve warm air circulation to pipes under sinks and walls.
• As a homeowner, you may use water treatment methods such as water softeners to minimise corrosive agents. This can help slow down or prevent pipe corrosion/rusting.
  

What to do when pipes burst in winter

• Be aware that other pipes in your home may be at risk of bursting if you have a frozen or burst pipe. As such, the possibility exists that you may have multiple pipe bursts at various locations.
• You may use the above signs of burst pipes to identify the burst pipe.
• Call your experienced emergency plumber for help thawing and repairing the burst pipes.
• Confirm the water supply to the burst intake pipes and shut the water off.
• Your emergency plumber may troubleshoot the cause of the burst pipe for a start.
• This process may involve a camera or video inspection to check for the causes of bursting or frozen pipes.
• They will directly address causes of burst pipes, such as thawing frozen water and frozen pipes, removing tree roots, and performing pipe repairs or replacement.
• Emergency plumbers may take steps to address water damage.
• They may propose corrective and preventive measures to help reduce the risk of pipes freezing.
• Developing thorough maintenance plans with your plumber as a significant preventive measure is essential.

The water damage and restoration process

Despite your best efforts, you realise you must deal with the unwelcome aftermath of a burst pipe and the subsequent flood or water damage. What then? Some reputable emergency plumbing contractors also have a restoration and recovery team to help you.

The water damage and restoration process usually involves the following:

• After your call, the team of remediation experts is dispatched.
• The water damage recovery process usually begins with an assessment of the damage.
• Depending on the circumstances, the team then draws up and implements a customised and strategic restoration plan.
• There is coordination with your insurance company to align the recovery process with your coverage. This helps to reduce out-of-pocket costs and needless paperwork.
• They will begin the water extraction process. This may involve using truck-mounted water extraction equipment to syphon off-standing water.
• Next, the team uses dehumidifiers and industrial-grade fans to perform the drying and dehumidification processes.
• Mould remediation experts may perform mould removal if necessary.
• The plumbing team may then perform repairs such as bathtub repairs, shower repairs, water heater repairs, and heating repairs.
• A final work-through is usually necessary to confirm the restoration work is complete.
• You may also depend on the team to be available for follow-up maintenance.
  

Plumbing services for the winter season

You may find it challenging to identify the cause of burst pipes or prevent them this winter. However, you do have an option. You can hire plumbing companies to take the stress off you.

Here are some winter-season plumbing services that you can invite them for:

Leak detection

Plumbing contractors use leak detection to identify leaking taps and damaged pipes.

Damage restoration

Professional damage restoration services are available in cases of emergency or when disaster recovery is needed.

Water heater installation and repair

Winter is a time when you need your heating systems to function correctly. Plumbing contractors can provide water heater installation and repair services for tankless water heaters and other types of hot water heaters.

‍

Plumbing installations

Other plumbing installation services that you may invite them for include:

• Furnace installations.
• Filtration system installations.
• Installation of hydro-jetting solutions.
• Ductless mini split system installations.
• You can even ask them for garbage disposal installations.
  

General plumbing system repairs and maintenance

Some examples of general plumbing repairs and maintenance services include drain cleaning, air duct cleaning, and stone cleaning. Your plumber can also provide maintenance services for sump pumps and air handlers. Meanwhile, you can rely on them for furnace maintenance and heating services.

Plumbing contractors can fix burst pipes

You have now read up on why burst pipes are more common in winter and how to prevent them. You know more about where burst pipes commonly occur, what to do when pipes burst in winter, and plumbing services for the winter season.

However, even with this knowledge, you must avoid attempting DIY repairs on burst or frozen pipes. You may cause further damage. Plumbing contractors can help you fix or reduce the risk of frozen home pipes, water heater issues, and much more.