With temperatures plummeting all around the country there is an increased risk of the water in our pipes freezing. When this happens the frozen ice expands and can explode the pipe.
This may sound like a minor inconvenience, but frozen pipes can cause thousands of pounds' worth of damage in your home. Plumbing and Bathroom expert Evan Jones from Bathroom Supastore has revealed the best ways of protecting your pipes this winter, along with what to do if your pipes burst to minimise damage.
Signs your pipes are frozen
Damage occurs when we don't realise our pipes are frozen as the problem is left to become worse. When checking pipes you should look to see if there has been a reduction in water flow, visible signs of frost or nasty smells coming from your taps.
Evan said: "Recognising that your pipes are frozen can be the difference from fixing the problem quickly to spending thousands on damage within your home. 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 have found a frozen pipe in your home you will want to turn off your water stop tap immediately. The stop tap sometimes called a stop valve or stopcock can be found in different positions in the home, and it looks like a spoutless tap.
Stop taps can be found under the sink, under the stairs, in the bathroom, garage or cellar. Before winter is in full flow you should know where your stop tap is in case of emergencies.
To use the stop tap turn it clockwise to close it, this will stop water running through your pipes, but be warned water still in the pipes can leak through burst pipes. 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.
Evan said: "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. 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."
When the pipes are thawed you can run an old towel across them to make sure there are no leaks. If there is no water present you can then turn your stop water valve back on by turning it anti-clockwise.
Preventing frozen pipes
Preventing frozen pipes should be something that's top of your mind this winter. While no one ever wants burst pipes, with the cost of living being so high, additional bills on top could put families under huge financial pressure this winter.
Fortunately, investing in the maintenance of your pipes is much cheaper than replacing them if they break. Pipe insulation can be purchased online for cheap 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.
Evan 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."
While everyone is looking for ways to save this winter, turning off your heating could cost you more money in the long run. If you decide to turn off your heating you are at an increased risk of burst pipes. While energy bills are expensive keeping your heating on a low constant level will be cheaper than replacing burst pipes.
Evan said: "Keeping your home at a consistent temperature is one of the best ways of preventing your pipes from freezing. While it may be tempting to turn your heating off to save money, keeping your home between 12C and 15C will keep your pipes from freezing."
Lastly, letting some pressure out of your system by letting your taps drip intentionally can protect your pipes from freezing and exploding.
Evan said: "While letting your taps drip can protect your system it can also be costly, a constant trickle of water could waste around 450 litres of water a day which is the equivalent of taking 10 baths every other day."
