The explanation came from the forensic engineering expert who assessed the damage. This wasn't his first case.
In the prevailing part of the 20th century, when most of today's residential inventory was built, oil in North America was cheap. Good thermal insulation was not real concern. When outside was cold, inside was also cold and the thermostat called for heat. Water almost constantly circulated through the system and there was no problem. Since the oil and gas price increase in the 90's the situation changed. Good wall, floor and ceiling insulation became considerable money saving and environmental factor. Renovated houses received quality fiberglass layers between their beams and studs. But the heating pipes remained, like before, anchored to the outside walls, above and below door and window frames, exposed to the cold, separated from the house warmth by the additional thermal protection. Now the newly installed insulation turned against them. When the temperatures dropped below the freezing point, inside was still warm for prolonged periods of time, prompting the thermostat not to see need to turn the circulating pump on. Standing water froze, cracking the pipes and subsequently causing expensive floods in the recently renovated areas. Not to mention the damages that have to be done to the interior in order to find the broken spot. And the days without heat in the middle of the worst season. And the consequent lingering forever fear of hidden undetected mold behind the walls... .
FREEZE GUARD
