How hard is it for a copper water pipe to split from the weather in Michigan? can the copper pipes handle much pressure it this were to happen. And do the pipes have to be totally full with water to cause a split?
a copper pipe will not normally split from any water in it becoming frozen unless a large tract of pipe is involved. assume a long length of copper pipe has trapped water in it and cannot escape. as it turns to ice it will put both radial and longitudinal pressure on the surrounding wall of the pipe. without an end being free to atmosphere it i possible though unlikely that enough pressure can be exerted on the copper walls due to ice expansion that it will split. any pipe left outside to freeze has a far greater chance of doing this and if left full of water and a fairly long length.
My first thought, your copper pipe froze. Water when it freezes expands, a pipe that is full or almost full of water when exposed to freezing temp will expand and burst, or split. The cheapest way to cure this problem is to leave you water run a small stream during real cold weather. Also the hot water line will freeze and burst before the cold water side.
when water freezes it expands with enough force to split copper pipe, no the pipes do not have to be full.
Copper pipe that is subject to freezing will usually split the pipe when it freezes. Depending on what type of copper you have most residential copper is either M or L . M is thinner than L and will split easier than L when freezing due to the wall thickness . The piping system will usually maintain pressure while it remains frozen even with the split , the flood starts after it starts to thaw .
I live here in Kansas and copper water pipes freezing during the winter months is VERY common. Any place copper is exposed to freezing temperatures it is very likely it will freeze. If you are in a situation where you know the weather will get below freezing, you can slightly turn on a faucet to keep the water moving. This can increase your water bill, but is a lot cheaper than calling a plumber out to fix split water pipes. As far as better materials, I strongly suggest using PEX water piping. It still has a possibility of freezing, but a lot smaller chance of splitting as PEX pipe is more flexible and forgiving. Also the thick plastic acts as a natural insulator and keeps your hot water lines hotter. Hope this helps!
