In the northern US and Canada, water pipe bursts in the winter are an all too common occurrence. There are ways to minimize water burst due to extreme cold however. Here are three steps to help minimize the occurrence of winter water pipe bursts or being better prepared when pipe bursts happen.
Restrain pipes
Ground movement is often caused by seasonal weather changes such as during the winter and spring. Several techniques are available to restrain pipes including rodding, thrust blocks and mechanical restraint devices and sleeves. Coupling-restraint products, such as Hymax’s HYMAX GRIP family of products, use a mechanism to restrain the pipes and prevent axial motion. The products have been shown to be effective with relatively low cost compared to other techniques as the restraining technology is within the coupling itself.
Keeping good records of pipe repairs
Anticipating when repairs are most likely to happen can greatly help in being prepared. This is only possible, however, if good records are kept to detect trends. Whenever repairs are being made, it’s all about asking six questions to gather the data to gage when repairs are needed soon (or whether pipes should be replaced entirely): who, what, when, where, why and how.
Who?
Who was making the repair? Who was there, and who did what?
What?
What was the issue? What actions were taken to make the repair?
When?
When was the repair made? Be accurate with day, date and time.
Where?
Where was the repair? How many times have crews been to this same location or close by?
Why?
Why is the pipe breaking? Is the pipe busting due to ground movement cause by cold weather?
How was the repair made?
What parts and equipment were used to make the repair? Were quality parts and good repair techniques used to fix the pipe?
Avoid short cuts
A good way to avoid repairs in the winter is just by making sure that repairs are done correctly and avoiding shortcuts. Many times, municipalities are looking to contain costs and crews want to complete projects as quickly as possible. While it’s tempting to take shortcuts, these so called “savings” cost time, money and worker safety.
Be sure to take the time to measure the pipe OD before to ensure the right sized repair product and ensure a strong pipe connection that will last. For night-time repairs, use proper lighting to illuminate work areas and not simply backhoe or excavator lights which are not strong enough and can compromise safety. Finally, use quality parts. You cannot afford to purchase products that will fail early, requiring another repair, and no utility can afford the cost of making a second repair at the same location. Couplings and clamps, such as the HYMAX2 and HYMAX Clamp, which are easy to install can also make repair jobs more efficient, save time and help eliminate installation errors.