Submitted by throwawayaccountweak t3_ztx0x6 in pittsburgh
serrol_ t1_j1gy7jx wrote
Reply to comment by your_mail_man in Will my poorly insulated house freeze? by throwawayaccountweak
To be very clear: it's not about moving water, it's about pressure. Copper pipes can take a massive amount of pressure, but ice is beyond massive, it's an insane amount of pressure. By opening your faucets, you are allowing that pressure to relieve itself in both directions: pushing back against flow from the city pipes, and into the house. If water were to freeze in your walls, it could trap unfrozen water between the faucet and the ice, meaning pressure can build up FAST and STRONG. Opening your faucets prevents that buildup of pressure, and thus prevents your pipes from bursting.
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