Freezing Pipes

Protecting your pipes

The majority of bursts occur because water becomes frozen in the pipes, expands and cracks the pipe. It is relatively easy to safeguard your pipes from freezing by following the procedures below: Keep your property warm whenever possible.

Keep windows closed and stop draughts near pipes in unheated areas, but remember you must provide ventilation for boilers, gas fires etc. Insulate all exposed water pipes, especially those in outside toilets and outbuildings, with approved lagging materials. Insulate water tanks by covering them around and above, but not underneath where they are in roofs or lofts, as this will block warm air from the house. Polystyrene sheets are particularly good for this and can be purchased cheaply at DIY stores. If the property is going to be empty for any length of time, turn off the water supply, switch off the heating and hot water systems, then drain the hot and cold water systems (by opening the lowest taps) and drain the central heating system through drain-off taps at the lowest points. DO NOT leave taps running to prevent freezing, this wastes water and is unnecessary

How to thaw your pipes if they freeze

If your pipes freeze, all is not lost because there are number of things you can do to rectify the situation and help prevent your pipes bursting:

Act now: step by step

1. Switch off your central heating boiler and fires that have a back boiler. 2. Turn off your water supply at your stop tap . Although you will probably have a cold water storage tank, use water carefully until normal supply is restored. A typical residential water tank holds 100 litres (25 gallons) of water. 3. Use a hair dryer at a low heat (or an electric fan heater or hot water bottles), on the frozen pipe starting near where it enters the house. Never use electricity where there is a risk of water escaping. Never use a blow torch or naked flame. Do not light the boiler to thaw out a hot water or central heating system. 4. Ensure you turn on a tap to allow thawed water to escape - remember to remove the plug. 5. If you think you have thawed out the pipe, turn the stop tap on slowly and check for bursts as you go.