Do Not Display
Frozen pipes can cause devastating water damage when they burst. You can minimize or avoid this damage by using the best pipe material for winter. Let's explore the susceptibility of the common pipe materials to freezing and bursting to establish the one that holds up the best in cold weather.
Copper
Copper pipes are widely used because of their strength, resistance to corrosion, and longevity. A major disadvantage of these pipes is that they lose heat quickly and have a thin wall that's not flexible. These factors make them the most susceptible to bursting in frigid temperatures.
Copper pipes don't expand when the water inside them freezes. The swelling of frozen water places excess pressure on the thin walls, causing them to split open or burst eventually.
PVC and CPVC
CPVC pipe material is less rigid, have thicker walls, and lose heat more slowly than copper pipes. The pipes expand a little to minimize the pressure of frozen water on their walls, making them not burst as quickly as copper. Nevertheless, PVC and CPVC pipes are brittle. They crack when forced to endure freezing conditions for too long.
PEX
PEX is a very flexible plastic material that can stretch enough to accommodate water that's freezing and expanding inside of it. It withstands freezing conditions longer than PVC/CPVC and copper pipes.
Even PEX has its limits. It can still burst when there's considerable swelling and pressure from the frozen water. However, when PEX bursts, the fittings usually blow off first. Therefore, it's essential to connect PEX using fittings that can withstand freezing temperatures. You can make PEX and other types of pipes more resistant to freezing and bursting by disconnecting or securing outdoor faucets and wrapping insulation around the pipes in your attic, basement, and near outside walls.
Although PEX holds up the best in cold temperatures, you can't use it in every application. Your home needs different pipe materials, so it's best to contact a professional plumber when you're unsure of the best type of pipe for your specific project. Contact Air Assurance for all your plumbing needs in the Broken Arrow area.