--- title: The Often Misunderstood Science of Frozen Pipes. description: Cold & wintery conditions can cause pipe damage that can be dangerous & expensive to repair. Learn more about the science behind frozen pipes here! image: https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/2018%20Header%20Images/1300x200%20New%20CCA%20Page%20Header_FIN.png --- [![CCA an Aperture Company](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cca.png?width=230&height=95&name=cca.png "CCA an Aperture Company")](http://ccaco.com) [** ](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/the-often-misunderstood-science-of-frozen-pipes#) CCA Blog ![1300x200 New CCA Page Header_FIN.png](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2018%20Header%20Images/1300x200%20New%20CCA%20Page%20Header_FIN.png?width=1300&name=1300x200%20New%20CCA%20Page%20Header_FIN.png "1300x200 New CCA Page Header_FIN.png") # The Often Misunderstood Science of Frozen Pipes. [fa icon="calendar"] Feb 24, 2023 11:02:29 AM / by [Kenneth R Quigley, PE](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/kenneth-r-quigley-pe) **AT CCA OUR EXPERTS KNOW HOW AND WHY PIPES FREEZE** **CCA’s experts understand the science of the bursting of pipes due to cold weather. **The consequences of frozen and burst water piping in homes, businesses, or other insured properties can be very expensive.   Insurance claims can get contentious leading to litigation and the threat of litigation. Potential construction defects related to losses can lead to subrogation against contractors and professionals involved in the construction of the building with the leaks. CCA Construction Consulting Associates LLC has the mechanical engineer expertise to understand the complicated science of the bursting of water pipes due to freezing temperatures. CCA, LLC also has architectural and engineering expertise in building envelopes to understand how cold temperatures impacted the piping. CCA, LLC has experts who understand both the scientific basis for and the types of building conditions which frequently contribute to pipe freeze-ups.   Possible causes for pipe freezing are numerous, including a loss or partial loss of building heat, setting the thermostat too low during cold weather, inadequate heating systems and controls, missing building envelope insulation, and cold air infiltration through the building envelope. Building envelope cold air leakage problems are magnified by localized weather such as high winds from a specific direction or the operation of mechanical ventilation equipment causing pressure imbalance and resulting in an increase in building envelope air leakage.   CCA’s Architects and Engineers employ science-based analysis methods and can explain what happened and why. CCA’s building consultants can determine the cost of remediation and repair.   To learn more please visit the **Forensics**** **page of our website. Please call or email Kenneth Quigley [kquigley@ccaco.com](mailto:kquigley@ccaco.com) (781) 301-5216 to discuss how CCA help. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Kenneth R Quigley, PE](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/file-2293384710-png/2014_Images/Team_images/Ken.png?width=100&name=Ken.png) #### Written by [Kenneth R Quigley, PE](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/kenneth-r-quigley-pe) ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Tag - [Construction (56)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/construction) - [Engineering (40)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/engineering) - [Forensics (39)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/forensics) - [News (37)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/news) - [Construction Defect (33)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/construction-defect) - [Insurance (32)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/insurance) - [Catastrophe Response (27)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/catastrophe-response) - [Architecture (25)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/architecture) - [Water Damage (24)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/water-damage) - [Structural Integrity (20)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/structural-integrity) - [Water Intrusion (20)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/water-intrusion) - [Environmental (19)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/environmental) - [Owner's Representative (19)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/owners-representative) - [Project Management (19)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/project-management) - [Trouble Project Turnaround (19)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/trouble-project-turnaround) - [Hurricane Damage (18)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/hurricane-damage) - [Root Cause Analysis (18)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/root-cause-analysis) - [Storm Damage (17)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/storm-damage) - [Litigation Support (16)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/litigation-support) - [Building Envelope (4)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/building-envelope) - [COVID-19 (3)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/covid-19) - [Disaster (3)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/disaster) - [Service-Envi Contamination Investigation&Forensic (3)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/service-envi-contamination-investigationforensic) - [Disasters (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/disasters) - [Flood (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/flood) - [Forensic Investigation (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/forensic-investigation) - [Mission-Critical Facilities (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/mission-critical-facilities) - [Project - Hospitality (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/project-hospitality) - [Service - Roof (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/service-roof) - [legionella (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/legionella) [See all](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/the-often-misunderstood-science-of-frozen-pipes#) ### Stay Up to Date with Our Latest Content - [![linkedin](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/file-2246924294-png/2014_Images/in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cca-construction-consulting-associates-llc) Engineering services in New York will be provided by CCA Consulting & Engineering, P.C. 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