I build for Habitat in New England. Recent our brand new just completed home sprang a leak on a 20 below zero night. The rupture was in a baseboard radiator, and it does not seem we had a freeze at that interior location. Could a frozen section of pipe down stream from this location have caused a steam build-up and initiated the burst?
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That seems highly unlikely. For one thing, wouldn't the boiler kick off at a certain water temp well before steam was created? Also, the boiler should have a PRV which would release first. What isn't uncommon is to have a bad joint that holds awhile and then just lets go for some reason. I've seen this on a few new houses.
Given that the leak occured on a -20° night, it's almost certain it was a result of a freeze at that location.
Was the leak caused by a burst pipe or a failed joint? I'll bet it was a burst pipe.
Someone should check for air leakage at that point or an insulation void behind it.
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Definitely caused by burst pipe, joints held. I'm with you, we have a draft coming in from outside, directly on a pipe section, I think. Thanks for the confirmation of my suspicion. If we find "evidence" I'll try to photograph and document for you. THANKS!! Woodtangler.
Where it burst is probably not where it froze. The ice plug acts like a hydraulic ram, causing enough pressure to split the pipe. I'm betting the zone valve was off, and the split is between the valve and where the draft is.
Man, you are right on. Zone valve shut down by high heat in first floor zone, then subsequent demand. THANK-YOU! Woodtangler