Have you ever wondered why water mains break? The answer is actually quite straightforward. Water main breaks occur when changes in the environment cause shifts underground, and these shifts can put pressure on pipes, leading to fractures. One of the primary factors contributing to these shifts is temperature variation. As the ground experiences changes in temperature, it expands and contracts, causing movement in the earth around the pipes. This movement can cause stress on the pipes, especially when the ground is compacted.

Water main breaks are particularly common in the winter months. This is due to the unique properties of water as it cools. As water temperature drops, the water molecules become denser, which increases the pressure on the pipes. This change in water density, combined with the shifting ground, makes the pipes more susceptible to breaking under the strain.

If you’ve ever seen a water main break, you might have noticed the amount of water spilling onto the surface. The amount of water you see can actually give you a clue as to how large the pipe is. Larger pipes, which carry more water, tend to release more water when they break. In contrast, smaller pipes, which carry less water, will result in smaller, more contained leaks.

As for how we go about fixing these breaks, that’s a whole other process, but rest assured that we have methods in place to repair the damage and restore the water flow as quickly as possible.