Freezing water pipes?

Question

Why is it important to protect home water pipes from freezing?

Answer 1

Freezing of water causes Expansion as it changes to ice.

In a closed system left full of water (Like a pipe to an outside water line which is not used in winter), the expansion of the trapped water will cause a huge pressure increase and may split the pipe or spring open a joint.

Water lines MUST always, either be drained off when not in use or, sufficiently lagged (wrapped) to keep out the cold as much as possible.

People believe that, when the ice THAWS, the pipe will split and cause a leak. This is Not True.

The split occurs when the water freezes but, it's NOT NOTICED until the thaw occurs. The pipe may be broken for weeks before it is found to be broken.

Answer 2

Because when water freezes it expands. When it expands your pipes may burst. When it thaws.....water everywhere.