Why do frozen water pipes burst Would a mercury

Solution 4DQ Step 1 of 2 : Considering the relation between volume and temperature. 0 Water has it minimum volume (maximum density) at 4 c. Also its volume increases 0 continuously as we decrease the temperature below 4 c. Therefore the water expands as it freezes and this leads to the damage or bursting of water pipes. Since expansion occurs in a closed environment such as a water pipe, there could be substantial pressure placed on the inner walls of the pipe material, whether it be iron, lead or PVC plastic. Even if a pipe is strong enough to handle the occasional stress of frozen water, the cumulative effect can weaken the structural integrity of the pipe and eventually it will burst.