Frozen pipes are an absolute nightmare.

There’s not much worse than waking up in the depths of winter to stone-cold radiators or an icy cold shower.

The problem can also be made far worse than skipping the morning shower or wearing an extra jumper. In a worst-case scenario, frozen water can rupture a pipe, leading to flooding and severe damage to your home.

That’s why it is vital you prevent your pipes from freezing. You must have a plan in place to keep pipes from freezing when the temperatures inevitably drop.

To help you prevent frozen pipes this winter, we’ve put together this expert guide.

If you want to:

    • Figure out how to check for frozen pipes
    • Learn how to prevent frozen pipes
    • Figure out to defrost frozen pipes

Or understand the best ways to repair frozen pipes, then you’ll love this guide.

Let's get started.

How to check for frozen pipes

As the temperature drops, it is possible for you to experience water freezing in the pipes. This is more common if the weather changes suddenly or if you have exposed pipes outside. If you think you may have frozen pipes, there are a few key giveaways that can help you identify the issue quickly. These include:

  • There is only a trickle of running water from the tap or none at all
  • There is visible frost on the pipes
  • There is an odd smell coming from taps or drains
  • There has been a sudden change in temperature outside

If you have identified one or more of these issues, you should certainly be on the lookout for others. When there has been a sudden change in temperature, it is wise to check for frozen pipes just in case. You can make these simple observations yourself before seeking professional help:

  • Check all of your taps to ensure you have water flowing freely
  • Look outside, in cupboards and under sinks to check for visible frost on any pipes
  • Be aware of any new or unusual smells coming from your taps or drains

These are all early signs that you may have a frozen water pipe. The sooner you have identified them, the better chance you have at preventing the problem from escalating.

How to prevent frozen pipes

Abnormally cold weather puts pipes at risk. You could have lived in your home for years and never had a problem, however, you can’t always predict a problem arising and prevention is always better than cure. Frozen pipes are more common in colder areas of the home like the loft, garage or under sinks.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent your pipes from freezing.

Keep the heating on
This keeps the pipes warm and ensures a constant flow of water through the water system. The warm water can help prevent your pipes from freezing.

Add insulation around the pipes
Pipe insulation is an easy and cost-effective way to protect your pipes from the cold. You can buy a metre of foam insulation for less than £1 and it’s easy to fit onto the pipes yourself by making a cut along the foam tube and securing it with duct tape.

Allow the faucet to drip
By leaving the faucet open even slightly, you can relieve pressure in the pipe which causes it to burst if the pipe freezes. This can prevent pressure from building and the pipe from bursting.

Apply heating tape
Heating tape is ideal for short sections of pipe that are exposed to cold air. Working like a space heater by applying heat directly to the pipe, there are two types of heating tape available for you to choose from. Automatic heating tape turns on when it detects cold and manual tape must be plugged in and turned off when not needed. This can be dangerous though so you must use it correctly.

Seal up any cracks and holes
Prevent cold air from reaching exposed pipes by sealing up cracks and holes around the pipework. You should seal holes both on the inside and outside of your property. If available, use insulation to lock the heat inside.

Keep cabinet doors open which have pipework inside
Cabinets under sinks can become cold easily as they are cool, dark spaces. If you suspect the pipework inside is at risk of freezing, keep the cabinet doors open to allow the heat to get inside. Do this by turning your heating on or placing a portable heater outside the cabinet to warm up the area.

How to thaw frozen pipes

If you have discovered frozen pipes in your home, there are some measures you can take before calling for professional help. If the pipes have not yet burst, you need to act quickly to prevent them from bursting.

Follow these simple steps to thaw out the pipes:

  • Turn off the stopcock to stop the water supply
  • Start thawing the pipes closest to the taps so the melting ice and steam has somewhere to escape
  • Use towels soaked in hot water, hot water bottles or a hairdryer to start thawing the pipes
  • Never use a naked flame or blow torch

If you can successfully thaw out the frozen pipes, you shouldn’t need to hire a plumber to carry out any repairs.

How to fix frozen pipes

Despite your best efforts, you may not have been able to prevent your pipes from bursting. If you don’t feel confident enough, you can take some precautions to stop a leak and prevent the problem from getting worse before a plumber arrives.

The burst pipe might not be immediately visible, so the first thing you need to do is find out where it is. Once you’ve found the burst pipe, follow these steps:

  • Turn off the water at the main stopcock as soon as you notice the problem to prevent further water damage
  • Turn a tap on to relieve any remaining pressure in the pipes
  • Mop up any water that’s emerged from the burst pipe to prevent further flooding or mould
  • Turn up the heat to thaw out any other frozen pipes and prevent further damage
  • Put a piece of rubber and wood over the leak then clamp in place to keep pressure on the pipe and prevent it from collapsing

By following these steps, you can prevent the burst pipe from getting any worse before the pipe is repaired.

So, there you have it. Now you know how to prevent, and repair, frozen pipes this winter and when you need to call a plumber.

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