The freezing cold weather of recent weeks has brought much inconvenience. Road and railway networks have been disrupted by the snow and ice, while households have faced increased heating costs at a time when energy prices are going through the roof.
Another cold-related problem that’s all too common is frozen pipes. Many homes are affected by frozen pipes during the winter months, and they can cause serious - and costly - problems for householders if they burst.
However, there are steps you can take in order to prevent your pipes from freezing or to thaw them if they have frozen. Let’s take a closer look at what you can do.
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How to stop pipes freezing in winter
One of the most effective ways to stop pipes from freezing in winter is to insulate them. Wrapping pipes in cold areas of the home, such as with pipe lagging (sponge covers) can insulate them and reduce the risk of freezing.
British Gas advises that outside pipework, such as overflow pipes and heating drainpipes, should be insulated, with outside taps covered by insulated tap covers. It also notes that water tanks are a common cause of burst pipes and says these should be insulated too.
SSE recommends that homeowners should leave their heating on with the thermostat set at 12-15C when they’re away from the property, to keep air inside and prevent internal pipes from freezing.
Water is less likely to freeze if it’s running, so taps should be turned on and off regularly. If you’re planning to be away from your home for more than a few days during cold spells, it may be a good idea to turn your water off at the stopcock and drain the system until it's empty.
What to do if your pipes freeze
SSE recommends that you turn the stopcock off and contact a qualified plumber if your pipes have burst. If your pipes have only frozen, however, there are things you can do to thaw them - but if you’re not confident in what you’re doing, it is wise to ask a plumber instead.
You can relieve pressure on the system by turning on the taps; if only one tap is affected, you may be able to sort out the frozen pipe yourself. However, SSE says, if water isn’t coming out of several taps, you should speak to a plumber and get them to look into it.
If the frozen pipe isn’t easy to access or you don’t know where it is, you may be able to thaw it by turning up the heating in your home and raising the air temperature. Open cupboards and loft hatches so air can circulate around pipes.
If the pipe is exposed, you may be able to thaw it by applying heat to the affected area, for example by using a hairdryer or wrapping a warm cloth around it. You should never use a direct flame or blowtorch, as this could boil the water and cause the pipe to explode or melt.
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