Protecting Your Pipes from Heat and Pressure in the Algarve
PROTECTING YOUR PIPES FROM HEAT AND PRESSURE IN THE ALGARVE
The Algarve’s Mediterranean climate offers more than 300 days of sunshine a year, making it one of Europe’s most desirable places to live. But while that sunshine is great for holidaymakers and beachgoers, it can wreak havoc on the plumbing systems in residential and commercial properties.
Unlike colder regions where frozen pipes are a major concern, the Algarve’s plumbing problems stem from the opposite extreme: HEAT, SOLAR EXPOSURE, AND INCONSISTENT MUNICIPAL WATER PRESSURE. Over time, these elements can degrade your plumbing system from the inside out, often without visible warning signs, until you’re faced with costly leaks, water waste, or burst pipes.
THE REAL RISKS: HEAT AND WATER PRESSURE IN THE ALGARVE
In Algarve homes, it’s common for pipework to run through roof cavities, outer walls, shallow trenches, or directly beneath tiling. During the summer, temperatures in these spaces can exceed 50°C (122°F), especially if there’s little shade or ventilation. This prolonged exposure causes materials like copper and plastic (PVC/PEX) to expand and contract daily, weakening joints and creating invisible stress fractures.
When left unaddressed, this thermal movement can lead to:
* Pipe joint separation
* Warping and deformation
* Microscopic cracks and slow leaks
* Pressure-related failure at weak points
The situation is compounded by MU...
