[miamiblue]

The pipes in my friend's rental house burst while we were in college in Gainesville, probably around 2002. It does get cold in some parts, but it is usually not sustained over a long period of time.

I never heard of it happening ever while growing up in Miami, though. It never really gets cold anymore in the southeastern part of the state. At least not for more than a few days at a time.

[Mike Peterson]

It was below freezing a few days back in Hernando County so with Gainesville being north of us it is definately possible.

[planthappy]

Originally Posted by Petertherock

I don't know for sure but I would say it's about as common as 70 degree weather in Maine in January. It can happen, it has happened...but it's extremely rare.

I agree. In north central fl it may happen in a older home not insulated or older mobile home. I'd worry more about not having A/C and having the house and furniture get stinky and moldy before I'd worry about the pipes bursting.

[sunrico90]

We lived in the panhandle for 10 year and have not have any of my friend or co workers experienced any burst. Now back in 1992 a friend had a burst in Pebble Creek in Melbourne....

[DanBev]

We have had a couple of nights in a row of below 20 this year in Lake City this year,hard freeze about 10 hours.If you run water or fast drip never a problem.Been here 20 years and never a problem with common sense.

[faithfulFrank]

In December I replaced my sprinkler valves, and added a shut off.
I've worried about them freezing. It is in Leesburg in Lake County, about 35 miles northwest of Orlando.
Of course, this picture is before I replaced the dirt. I wonder if I should cover the valve up with mulch......neighbors laugh and say I do not need to worry.

I'm used to 48" frost lines up here in NY.


Should I worry......? Frank D.

[bcfarmlady]

DON"T PUT MULCH.. In Florida you have to keep the mulch away from the side of the home where the siding meets the ground. It does not look like you have enough room to do that. Ever wonder why all the stucco, siding etc. is up a foot or so from the soil line? TERMITES, that's why.

The water pipes here in Florida are not buried very deep... for good reason... the ground never freezes. The only pipes that may freeze are those that are directly exposed to the cold air, such as the part that comes from the ground to your valves or the garden hose or if it's a mobile home and you have that wide open space underneath. I wouldn't live in one in Florida anyway. We don't get really cold water from the faucet unless it's winter... it's one of the signs !!!

[faithfulFrank]

Thanks for the mulch reminder......yes, I've worked hard keeping all plantlife away from the siding, etc.

Perhaps I should just put a styrofoam or plastic cover over the valve during winter months....but water also goes up the supply end of the sprinkler valves....but everyone has them, and no one seems to have the sprinkler valves freeze, so I'm probably worrying about nothing.

Frank D.