During winter cold water pipe breaks, what is the reason?

Question

Accepted Answer

Cold water pipes break during winter due to freezing and expansion of water.

Cold temperatures cause water to freeze and expand inside the pipes.
The expansion of frozen water puts pressure on the pipe walls, leading to cracks or bursts.
Pipes located in unheated areas or exposed to extreme cold are more susceptible to breaking.
Insufficient insulation or inadequate protection against freezing temperatures can contribute to pipe breaks.
Water pressure fluctuations or sudden temperature drops can also increase the risk of pipe damage.
Examples: A pipe in an outdoor garden that is not properly insulated may burst when temperatures drop below freezing. Similarly, a pipe in an unheated basement may break due to the expansion of frozen water.

Accepted Answer

During winter cold, the water inside pipe becomes ice thereby expansion takes place and pipe breaks/ cracks.

Popular interview questions of Senior Section Engineer