Do Pipes ONLY Burst in the Winter?

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

Water systems come in all different shapes and sizes, but all share one characteristic: they can fail when temperatures get extreme.

Cold weather causes water pipes to freeze and eventually burst. Due to the pressure of unfrozen water between the ice and the closed faucet heightening, the metal splits. This phenomenon can happen in warmer climates, as well. When colder air passes by the warm water in the pipes, pressure is created, and boom! The pipe ruptures.

Cold weather is not the only cause of water pipe failure. Warm weather also causes thousands of pipes to burst each year. During the summer months heat related water main bursts are at peak levels. Even if your pipes are underground, they are not safe from extreme temperatures.

Have you ever noticed that in the summer months there seems to be roadwork going on everywhere? Some of that is due to underground water pipes rupturing due to the heat. Most towns and cities keep extra roadwork crews readily on call to deal with this problem.

A good way to tell if the heat is affecting your pipes is by feeling the temperature of you water. If you turn on the cold water and you feel lukewarm to hot water coming out for several minutes, chances are your water pipe has already begun to leak or has gained pressure.

Before you freak out, call your local certified Restoration Company, SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island at 718-979-4100.