On Sat 04 Oct 2008 09:35:32p, jack told us...

I have had burst pipes, so I know it happens.

Just as an experiment I took 8" of 1/2" copper and capped one end. I
filled it with cold water and stuck it in my freezer.
After 30 minutes it was somewhat frozen, and solid after an hour. But 4
hours later it hasn't burst.

So, why do some pipes burst, but not this one? The ice expanded out the
top, so it definitely expanded. Perhaps it has to be physically
prevented from expanding with a right angle piece at the top?

(My cottage has exposed copper pipes and no heat, and I try to avoid
draining them until necessary. When the temperature gets down there I
get antsy. I am experimenting to get a better idea of just what the
danger really is.)

It needed to be capped on both ends, or capped on one end and a closed
valve on the other end. Under those conditions, when frozen it would have
burst.

--
Wayne Boatwright
(correct the spelling of "geemail" to reply)

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