Originally posted by Blender Bob
I am expecting a small chance of encountering freezing temps for a few hours before temps return to daytime highs in the 50s. |
This subject comes up every fall and spring.
The most important fact is that water EXPANDS about 9% when it freezes. Once it expands, that's it, it doesn't expand more. However, that expansion is not good for pipe connections.
It has been shown numerous times, and it happened ONCE with me, temps in the hi 20's overnight, if the daytime temps are above freezing, say in the 40s, do not cause noticeable damage to the r-pod's pipes. (Note I say 'noticeable'.) That expansion certainly did something, though.
Apparently, there are pipe connections deeper in the r-pod, where it takes a little longer for the water to freeze because of residual daytime heat, and there we find that frozen pipes DO cause damage.
Hello, that is why we winterize.
Being risk-averse, if I know the temperature will be below the hi 20's, I winterize. My r-pod may not freeze at mid-20's overnite, but I am not much of a gambler. That's just me.
Ala Clint Eastwood, "Are you feeling lucky?"