Will Sap Ladders Freeze and Bust if not Drained?

[Sunday Rock Maple]

I've installed new ladders (dual 1" pipes) with valves on the bottom for draining at the end of the season. We aren't tapped yet, but it was 3 degrees F this morning --- would they be OK if full of sap or would I need to drain them on a cold night?

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

I never have drained mine, but it is possible for them to freeze and break. I have had more trouble with PVC manifolds freezing and breaking.

[ennismaple]

We don't drain our sap ladders - either the spiders or the 2-pipe ladder. As long as the ice has somewhere to expand as the water freezes it should be fine.

[Russell Lampron]

I have used 2 pipe sap ladders in the past and have a star sap ladder now. I have never drained any of them and never had a problem even when the temps dropped below zero.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Thanks for the feedback fella's -- looks like I'm OK.