When pipes freeze overnight, do they burst before or after running water the nex

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   The Examiner-1posted 10 years ago

   When pipes freeze overnight, do they burst before or after running water the next morning?

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   ktnptlposted 10 years ago

   When a pipe freeze it will burst, it's because ice takes more place than water. So if a pipe freeze, all the ice inside need more space and so the pipe gets burst. This phenomenal also break big stones in mountains when rain water gets captured in the creek and in cold it turns into ice that requires more space so it eventually breaks stone.

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      The Examiner-1posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I know that pipes burst when they freeze. What I want to know is will they start leaking overnight, or the next morning when I run water. I leave my faucets dripping.

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   dragonflycolorposted 10 years ago

   i agree kt.  water expands as it freezes.  the water is already in the pipes which is why most plumbers suggest flushing your pipes before the temperature drops below zero degrees.  our outside pipe burst and it had to be replaced immediately.  it was spewing water underground next to the foundation of our home.  $1000, but it had to be done.  next time around, let the water run (for your inside pipes) just a trickle so they don't freeze.  you can also have them wrapped as well.

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      The Examiner-1posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I am worried about the inside pipes. I only used the outside 1-2 times sinces I lived here. I let my (inside) faucets drip, but how do you flush the pipes?

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   CWanamakerposted 10 years ago

   The pipe actually breaks or develops a pinhole or fracture when the water freezes.  The pipe doesn't start leaking until the morning when the ice starts to thaw out.

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      The Examiner-1posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you CWanamaker, that is interesting. With the tempratures which we are having right now I do not think that it would start leaking until I ran the hot water.

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   aviannoviceposted 10 years ago

   Here's how to do it from a plumber.  Leave the tap open.  The hot water freezes first.  What causes the pipes to burst is the fact that the thawed water has nowhere to go.  Ice contracts and water expands, which is why the pipe bursts.  If the tap is open, the excess water releases.
   
   However, the washing machine hoses on an outside wall need to be wrapped so that they stay warm, or you could use electric tape.  Just remember to plug it in

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      The Examiner-1posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Deb. I knew about the dripping but this is the first that I heard about the hot water. Does it matter whether the hot or the cold drips? I think my washing machine is on the inside. At least I only see the washroom hoses connected there.

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      aviannoviceposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hot water freezes before cold, but if it gets ridiculously cold, have both hot and cold dripping.  What I mean by outside wall, is a wall that is on a wall next to the outer side of the house.

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