So, can pipes burst in warm weather?

The short answer is YES! Pipes tend to burst when subjected to either extremely cold or hot weather and your lines may rupture in the summer as well.

And there are several causes for this (and measures you can take to prevent this occurring and causing water to leak in your home/garden) as we explain in our detailed answer..

Can pipes burst in warm weather? – The long answer

As hinted above, your pipes may burst when exposed to above average temperatures.

Now, the major reasons for this are two: the strain caused by the extreme heat and elevated water pressure.

Allow me to explain:

The pipes could have shifted

As you bask in the sun, your underground pipes may be suffering!

You see, because the soil is absorbing more heat from the blazing hot sun, the ground might become loose at some point.

As a result, the pipes have more room to shift and may eventually crack –once they go out of alignment-leading to a messy water leakage in your yard.

The pipes face more strain and may not be able to handle it

Needless to say, we bath a lot in an attempt to keep cool in the summer.

In addition, you irrigate your turf and crops more often in warm weather than in winter.

Your loved ones will also be spending more time at the swimming pool.

Keep in mind that your usual water consumption still stands (you’re still doing your laundry, washing the car, etc.).

In short, there’s increased water demand in the warm months and this can be problematic for pipes.

But how?

You see, since your water pipes will keep running for longer hours, there will be more strain in your plumbing fixtures.

This risks bursting them, especially if they’ve got an existing weakness or are a bit old, leaving you with a flooding house (along with a massive repair bill)!

Other causes for burst water pipes in warm weather

Of course, there are some faults that can occur within your plumbing network regardless of what the weather is like.

For example, your pipes may clog whether it’s warm or chilly out there.

And as you might be aware, clogging in the pipes brings more pressure in your system and there might be only one outcome: burst pipes!

Signs that point to burst water pipes

• Hiked Water bills: If your water bill has suddenly shot up, you might be losing water via a leak and it’s important to inspect your connections.
• Stagnant water on the surface: Pools of water may form in various places from the water spilling out of the pipes.
• Wall and ceiling dampness: Where the pipes are leaking behind walls and ceilings, you might notice wetness on the wall/ceiling.
• Discolored water from faucets: Another sign of potential water leakage is rust coming from some of the faucets (or even the showerhead).
• Hissing or whooshing sound: Leaking pipes may make a hiss/whoosh sound as water struggles to run out of the leaking point.

 

How to care for your water pipes in hot weather

Here now are handy tips to help you maintain your water pipes in hot weather:

1.    Test and reinforce the connections regularly

Try to check and mend the connections once in a while.

Tight connections easily overcome cranked up water pressure (and temperature) and can save you from costly repairs.

Also replace sections of your piping that seems extremely weak ahead of the summer.

2.    Don’t overload the system

If possible, postpone some of the activities that use more water to later.

You can, for instance, fill the pool overnight when you have no more water uses.

3.    Take a homeowner insurance cover for your water pipes

You may opt to secure your pipes by taking an insurance cover.

The insurance company will compensate whenever your water pipes accidentally burst.

Note that your insurance won’t pay a penny if the rupture was out of poor maintenance.

Can pipes burst in warm weather ?- Frequently asked question (FAQs)

Do pipes burst more in hot weather?

There’s no definite answer to this.

What is more important to bear in mind is pipes can burst in warm weather for the reasons we have explained in the article.

Can pipes burst in warm weather? – Takeaways

Now you know that water pipes can burst in warm weather conditions.

Always take the preventive measures we have mentioned above to protect your pipes from breaking.

Of course, some of us are not DIY guys and would need a helping hand with some of these measures.

If you’re in this group, its best to hire a qualified plumber to locate the leakage or check the condition of your entire pipeline.

All the best!

 

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