Northumbrian Water has issued important advice to households as the freezing weather in the North East is set to give way to milder temperatures.
The water company recently issued advice on what to do if pipes freeze as snow flurries and icy conditions hit the region, but with the sub-zero temperatures expected to lift next week and highs of up to 12°C forecast in some areas it is now warning customers to be aware of another issue that could arise in the pipes.
The swing from freezing to mild weather can cause pipes to expand and contract, meaning that they can end up leaking, cracking or even bursting. Northumbrian Water has said that while this problem arises every winter, they expect the quick temperature shift in the coming days to make a bigger impact than normal and increase the number of leaks and bursts.
