I have a pipe that I installed that runs from my upstairs toilet to the sewer. It is behind the insulation, and thus it will be getting very cold when winter comes. Since water will only be going through it when I flush the toilet, I was wondering if the pipe could burst if it freezes. Does the pipe need to be completely full of standing water to burst, or only has trace amounts of water left in it from flushing, will it burst? Thanks.
2007-10-31 09:39:16 · 9 answers · asked by I wanna talk to Samson 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The drain pipe? Don't worry about that bursting, it is probably 4" SCHD 40 PVC right? That won't burst. But, if you are talking about the water supply line to the toilet, that will burst as it will always have a header of water in it. You can install a heat strip on the pipe to keep it from freezing. Good luck, happy winter.
2007-10-31 09:43:52 · answer #1 · answered by Christopher H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It should be safe. A pipe will burst if there is less AIRSPACE available than what the expansion of the water can displace. With no water constantly in the pipe, it may get cold and the moisture inside it may well freeze as a COATING, but the pipe should have plenty of airspace for the ice to expand into and the flushing will probably keep that layer melting in between, anyway.
2007-10-31 16:44:05 · answer #2 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The freezing expanding water is what does the damage. The only way yours will burst if after time, the continual flow of water creats a buildup of ice. This could cause an "ice dam" to form. Then the water that is backed up could freeze and burst the pipe. The chances of this are very small.
2007-10-31 17:10:17 · answer #3 · answered by bugear001 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Moving water won't freeze. Notice lakes freeze but rivers don't?
A little water freezing will not burst the pipe, because the ice will have somewhere to go. A full pipe means the ice will have no room and thus can break the pipe. A drain pipe is safe. Supply lines can definitely break.
2007-10-31 16:43:02 · answer #4 · answered by E. F. Hutton 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the size of the pipe, sort of. On one side, to burst immediately, the pipe needs to be full enough for the water to not have room to expand. On the other side, the gradual buildup of frozen water traces could potentially burst the pipe over the course of winter... if it's not wide enough.
2007-10-31 16:43:50 · answer #5 · answered by Lana 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it shouldnt burst i think it has to have water in the pipes and water that sits in pipes can burst.
2007-10-31 16:42:51 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, it doesnt need to be completely full. Water expands when it freezes, so it doesnt need to be completely full YOur toilet pipe wont freeze, though
2007-10-31 16:42:39 · answer #7 · answered by penguin ♥lover♥ #1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will be fine unless there is a trap in it. If there is, the trap may burst if it freezes.
Bert
2007-10-31 16:43:58 · answer #8 · answered by Bert C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
water does expand when frozen
2007-10-31 18:38:28 · answer #9 · answered by tom the plumber 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋