Every winter, thousands of homeowners across the UK deal with burst pipes caused by freezing temperatures. When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands, and that pressure can crack even copper pipework. The good news is that prevention is straightforward.
Insulate exposed pipes
Pipe lagging is cheap and easy to fit. Focus on pipes in unheated areas such as lofts, garages, and under kitchen sinks on external walls. You can pick up foam lagging from any hardware shop for a few pounds.
Keep your heating ticking over
If you are going away during cold weather, leave your heating on a low setting rather than turning it off completely. A thermostat set to 12-14 degrees will keep the water in your pipes above freezing without running up a huge bill.
Know where your stopcock is
If the worst does happen, you need to be able to shut off your water supply quickly. Your stopcock is usually under the kitchen sink or where the mains pipe enters your property. Test it now so you are not scrambling when water is pouring through the ceiling.
What to do if a pipe freezes
If you turn on a tap and nothing comes out, you likely have a frozen pipe. Do not use a blowtorch or anything with an open flame. Instead, use a hairdryer or wrap the pipe in hot towels and work from the tap back towards the frozen section. If you are not sure, call a plumber before the pipe cracks.
