Fit to Burst: Understanding Frozen Pipes and Water Damage Claims

As winter approaches, homeowners have an incoming danger: frozen pipes— which could cause catastrophic damage and costly repairs. When flood expands inside pipes, it creates pressure that can lead to pipe bursts and extensive flood damage.

This article discusses the factors that lead to the formation of frozen pipes, the impacts, and feasible measures to mitigate such occurrences.

Understanding the science, typical causes, and recommended practices will help you prevent frozen pipes from causing damage to your house and lower the associated expenses.

Why Pipes Freeze and Burst

The science of frozen pipes must be understood in order to appreciate the risks:

• Water Expansion: Water expands by around 9% in volume when it freezes. Due to this expansion, the pipes undergo very high pressure, which sometimes reaches 19,000 PSI.
• Pressure Build-Up: The frozen portion of the pipe doesn’t just rupture. Instead, a block of ice traps water, increasing downstream pressure. Eventually, the weakest part of the pipe—a joint, a valve, or the pipe itself—bursts.
• Impact of Temperature: During cold weather, if the heat fails, in most homes, the temperature of uninsulated pipes can drop below freezing in 12 hours or less.

Common Causes of Frozen Pipes

A number of causes, often combined, can cause frozen pipes. The most common causes are as follows:

1. Failures of the Heating System

• Sudden changes in temperature inside a room are attributed to either problems with the furnace or blinks in power facilities.
• A system may not switch on due to low batteries in the thermostat.

2. Inadequate Insulation

• Pipes that pass through external walls, basements, or attics are particularly vulnerable to shifting or deteriorating insulation damage.
• This problem is made worse by drafts that get in through gaps or fractures.

3. Neglect by Season

• If water systems aren’t drained before winter, seasonal properties—like cottages—are especially at risk.
• Freezing can also result from failing to switch off irrigation systems or from leaving outdoor hoses attached.

4. Human Error

• Cold air might enter the house when garage doors are left open, or the thermostat is set too low while you’re away.

The Cost of Frozen Pipes

More than just a mess, a burst pipe may require expensive and time-consuming repairs.

• Structural Damage: Water intrusion can destroy flooring, walls, and ceilings.
• Mould Development: Health hazards arise from mould, which grows best in moist conditions.
• Personal Property Damage: Water can cause irreversible damage to electronics, furniture, and other possessions.
• Implications for Insurance: When filing an insurance claim, knowing what caused the rupture becomes crucial. Coverage depends on a number of variables, including maintenance history, utility usage, and thermostat settings.

Real-World Examples

1. Attics With Insufficient Insulation
One instance involved attic sprinkler pipes that broke due to shifting insulation and being exposed to cold air. Water damage spread throughout the house as a result of the exposed pipes freezing even while the house was heated.

2. Plumbing for Kitchen Sinks
Cold air entering through an unsealed opening in an external wall caused pipes beneath a kitchen sink to freeze. The ensuing deluge seriously damaged adjacent appliances, flooring, and cupboards.

3. Water Lines for Refrigerators
The solenoid valve of a refrigerator malfunctioned due to a build-up of pressure induced by freezing in the water line. There was flooding in the kitchen even though the house was heated because the ice clog had developed elsewhere.

4. Neglect of Seasonal Properties
The failure to adequately empty the water system prior to winter caused pipes to rupture, resulting in severe flood damage to a holiday property. The frigid temperatures brought on significant flooding and structural damage.

Prevention: The Best Defense

The probability of frozen pipes can be considerably decreased by being proactive.

1. Maintain a Warm Home

• Keep the temperature inside at 12°C or higher, even while you’re not there.
• Make sure that heat moves through the entire house, including crawl spaces and basements.

2. Pipe Insulation

• For exposed pipes in unheated locations, use pipe sleeves or foam insulation.
• Pipes near external walls or in uninsulated areas like garages and attics should receive extra attention.

3. Discharge Seasonal Systems

• Ahead of winter, disconnect outside hoses and turn off outside taps.
• Seasonal properties should drain their pipes and irrigation systems to avoid freezing.

4. Permit Water to Run

• Allow faucets to drip in extremely cold temperatures to keep water flowing and avoid freezing.

5. Examine and Maintain Heating Equipment

• Every year, get your furnace inspected, and at the beginning of the season, change the thermostat batteries.
• Look for snow or ice obstructions in the vents and air intakes.

6. Seal Drafts

• Find any openings or crevices where cold air might enter through doors, windows, and walls, and seal them.

What to Do If a Pipe Bursts

If a pipe freezes and bursts, damage can be reduced by acting quickly:

• Turn Off the Water: To cease the flow, turn off the main water supply right away.
• Record the Damage: Note the thermostat setting at the moment of the incident and take pictures of the impacted regions.
• Preserve the Evidence: Pieces of damaged pipe that are essential to identifying the cause should not be thrown away.
• Speak with Experts: Forensic experts and plumbers might be contacted to determine the failure’s underlying cause.

Utility bills and maintenance records can offer important background information for insurance claims, helping to show the circumstances and timeframe that led to the incident.

Final Thoughts

One avoidable issue that could have disastrous results is frozen pipes. Understanding the causes and being proactive will help you guard your house and reduce the likelihood of expensive water damage.

A few precautions during preparation will mean your house will be warm and safe during winter.

Faced with a frozen pipe or water damage issue? Our forensic engineers at Origin and Cause are able to investigate the cause, assess the claims and prepare detailed reports for insurance and litigation purposes. We are Canada’s leading forensic investigative company with over thirty years of experience and thousands of investigations completed.

Make sure you’re ready for the worst of winter by getting in touch with Origin & Cause!