Plumbing Tips | August 30, 2021

What Material Makes the Best Pipe for Freezing Conditions?

Homes across the country incur an estimated $500 million in water damage every year from frozen pipes that burst.

The February 2021 disaster in Texas is a recent example of how water freezes, causing pipes to burst and homes to flood. With this kind of climate change becoming more common, the need to know the best pipe for freezing conditions is critical.

That’s why we’re going to explain (and show you) the science behind freezing pipes. We’ll do this by testing different plumbing pipe materials for their susceptibility to freezing and bursting.

Water Damage from Frozen Pipes is Devastating

As you can guess, water damage is one of the most expensive, frustrating, and even devastating nightmares a homeowner can face.

And it doesn’t just occur in winter. We see many of these winter problems occurring through early summer. This happens because water damage often remains hidden until well after temperatures have gone back up.

The number of homes damaged each year by frozen and broken water pipes is second only to hurricanes. About 250,000 homes every year will suffer damage from frozen and burst pipes. A big chunk of this damage could be minimized or even avoided if the best pipe for freezing conditions were used in plumbing projects.

Frozen pipes bursting causes about a half-billion dollars in water damage every year in the United States. Using the best pipe for freezing conditions can help alleviate much of the damage.

The Best Pipe for Freezing Conditions

Copper, PEX, and CPVC are the most common piping found in homes, but each material comes with its own set of pros and cons.

We tested each of these pipe materials: Copper with a soldered cap, CPVC with two glued caps, and PEX with glued caps. Each was filled with water and frozen. Air was removed creating lots of pressure. Then they were frozen for 24 hours at a temperature of 10 degrees.

We discovered in the test that the copper pipe’s fitting separated from the pipe. This would have caused water damage. PEX had the best result. It is the least likely to burst and flood your home. It’s why so many property managers like PEX used it in their plumbing systems.

Copper in Freezing Conditions

Copper is a great material for plumbing. However, it has a big disadvantage: it loses heat quickly. Also, it has a thin wall and is not as flexible as the other materials. These combine to make copper the most prone to bursting in frozen weather.

The water inside the copper pipe freezes, but the copper doesn’t expand to accommodate the swelling. Instead, the thin wall bursts or splits open.

A copper pipe has thin walls and doesn’t expand enough to keep the swelling frozen water from placing tremendous pressure on it. Eventually, the pipe bursts, causing water damage from flooding.

CPVC in Freezing Conditions

CPVC pipe, a type of plastic pipe, is rigid with thicker walls than copper. However, it won’t lose heat as quickly, making it a better solution.

This plastic pipe is also less rigid than copper. CPVC will expand a bit, minimizing the pressure on its walls and keeping it from bursting as quickly as copper.

However, both PVC and CPVC (think of them as coming from the same family of plastic pipes) are brittle and will crack at low temperatures. So, while not the worse solution, they are still vulnerable to freezing conditions.

Because CPVC pipe is brittle, it will crack if it endures freezing temperatures for too long.

PEX in Freezing Conditions

PEX has the best chance of surviving low temperatures because it is so flexible. PEX is able to stretch enough to accommodate the water freezing inside of it.

PEX can still burst if there’s enough pressure and swelling from frozen water. But it’s usually the fittings (connections) on either end of the PEX pipe that blow off first. So, it is also important to consider the materials used for connecting PEX to other parts of the plumbing system.

Here are a couple of tips to keep PEX (or any pipe material) even more resistant to bursting from the freezing cold:

Wrap insulation around the pipe, especially in places that are more apt to get cold (basements, attics, near outside walls)
Shut off the water to outdoor faucets as winter approaches (drain them and remove the garden hose as well)

PEX is a non-rigid plastic material that can withstand freezing temperatures longer than copper, PVC/CPVC pipes. The material is able to stretch further as the water inside of it freezes and expands. But even PEX has its limits.

In the Lab: The Best Pipe for Freezing Conditions

Watch our lab test below to see which pipe material “” PEX, CPVC, or Copper “” holds up the best in freezing temperatures.

You can also watch this video at YouTube.

Final Thoughts

PEX was the clear winner in our tests. It is the best pipe for freezing conditions. However, the fittings also need to withstand frozen temperatures.

And PEX isn’t the correct pipe to use in every application. Your home will use several different pipe materials “” some are better for drains and sewer lines, while others are better for drinking (potable) water supplies.

If you’re not sure which material to use, ask your plumber. Or read some of the resources below we’ve written to help you with all sorts of winterization and insulation issues.

Resources

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you want to know more about the best pipe for freezing conditions. Or if you’d like us to repair a burst pipe.

1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.

Check us out on Facebook and Google!