A bathroom expert has shared his genius £1.49 tip on how to stop pipes from bursting this winter - and this could save you money in the long run.
With temperatures plummeting all around the country, there is an increased risk of water in the pipes freezing - resulting in them exploding, report Hull Live.
Brits have been also warned that households who turn their heating on and off constantly are also at an increased risk of burst pipes.
When this happens, it can set you back thousands of pounds, so it is important that you are aware of the small changes you can make in your home.
Plumbing and Bathroom expert Evan Jones from Bathroom Supastore has revealed the best ways of protecting your pipes this winter - and what to do if your pipes burst.
Here are the signs that your pipes may be frozen:
The damage may occur when people do not realise their popes are frozen in the first place.
When checking pipes, look out for any reduction in water flow, visible signs of frost or any nasty smells coming from the taps.
"Recognising that your pipes are frozen can be the difference from fixing the problem quickly to spending thousands on damage within your home," said Mr Jones.
"If you sense less water is flowing through your taps, it's a good indication of an obstruction somewhere down the line."
What should you do if your pipes are frozen?
If you do find a frozen pipe in your home, you should turn off the water.
The stop tap - sometimes called a stop valve or stopcock - can be found in different positions in the home.
Typically, they can be found underneath the sink, under the stairs, in the bathroom, garage or cellar.
It is important that you know where your stop tap is in case of any emergencies. It normally looks like a spoutless tap.
To close the stop tap, you need to turn it clockwise - but be warned, the water will still be in the pipes, and can cause a leak.
Once you have turned off the stop tap you can begin to thaw your frozen taps.
While some people may recommend using items such as a hairdryer or portable heater to thaw your pipes, they can be dangerous.
Mr Jones recommended a cheap and very practical item that you can purchase for as little as £1.49 to thaw the pipes.
"Electric or gas portable heaters and household electrics such as hairdryers should never be used to thaw your pipes as they could start a fire, especially in enclosed spaces such as the attic or cellar," he explained.
"The safer option is to use a cheap £1.49 hot water bottle.
"While hot water bottles are mostly used to keep us warm at night, they are great for wrapping around a frozen pipe to thaw them too.
"All you need to do is work along the pipe until the frozen water has been removed."
How to prevent frozen pipes?
Investing in the maintenance of your pipes is a much cheaper option than going on to replace them if they break.
Pipe insulation can be purchased online and should be used in rooms where there isn't adequate insulation - such as the attic, garage or cellar - as these rooms are more prone to freezing pipes.
Mr Jones said: "Rubber or sponge insulation sleeves can give your pipes added protection when the temperature plunges.
"There are other alternatives such as heating tape that works like an electric blanket for your pipes but they can be costly and dangerous if you don't follow the instructions correctly.
"To be safe, you should avoid heating tape if you don't know what you are doing."
