How To Avoid And Treat Frozen Pipes This Winter

 

How to avoid and treat frozen pipes

As the colder weather creeps up on us, it’s important to consider ways to protect your property from the elements! A little prep work can help prevent frozen pipes as temperatures plummet. The team at Quealy & Co, your trusted local estate agent in Sittingbourne, have put together their top tips for frozen pipes.

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Why do frozen pipes sometimes burst?

Water expands as it freezes, pressurising the pipe from the inside out. Whether the pipe is strong enough to withstand the pressure without buckling comes down to the volume of water that’s frozen, the type, shape and age of the pipe, and whether corrosion was already present.

The good news is that with a few simple precautions, it’s often preventable!

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How can I stop my pipes freezing this winter?

Have your boiler regularly serviced

If your heating isn’t working efficiently, the cold spots in your system will be most vulnerable to the cold. Having your boiler serviced every year is the best way to prep your pipes and keep your system ready for everything winter has in store.

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Insulate

Insulating your pipes and water tanks is one of the best ways to prevent them from freezing. You can buy inexpensive pipe lagging and tank jackets from most DIY stores and fit them yourself for free.

Then focus on these key areas:

• Outside pipework – such as heating drainpipes and overflow pipes. As well as straight lengths of pipe, remember to cover bends, valves and fittings too. And don’t forget your outside taps.
• Pipes in colder areas of your home – like unused loft spaces, garages and basements
• Water tanks – be sure to insulate tanks in colder areas, such as basements, garages and unused lofts.

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Encourage warm air flow and shut out the cold

If you have pipes and tanks in unheated loft spaces, open the hatch during icy weather to allow the warm air from downstairs to rise and keep the chill off.

If some of your pipes or tanks are inside cupboards, open the cupboard doors so the air from warmer parts of your home can circulate around them.

When it’s frosty outside, you need to make sure it doesn’t get too cold inside. Keep your thermostat set to at least 7°C  - even if you’re not at home.

Block out any chilly breezes by keeping windows closed and using draught excluders.

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Fix leaking taps

Leaky taps can cause your drains to freeze and water to back up to your sink, leading to an overflow.

So make sure that your taps are always fully off and have them fixed if they’re persistent drippers!

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Know where your stopcock is

It’s essential that you know how to stop the water flow to your home in case your pipes freeze.

Make sure you know where your stopcock is, clear the area around it for easy access, and use it immediately if you spot a leaky pipe.

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Turn off the water if you’re going away

It’s worth turning your water off at the stopcock if you’re not going to be home for more than a few days. It might even be worth draining the water in your system by running the taps until they’re empty. Just remember to close them again once you’ve finished.

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Signs of trouble

If you’re still worried about your pipework when the cold weather rolls in, here are a few tell-tale signs to look out for:

• Little or no water coming from your taps or shower
• Exposed pipes that appear frosty or wet
• Unusual noises coming from your system when you flush the toilet or use your sink. Bubbling or whistling sounds could be a sign of air trying to escape your pipes through a blockage
• Damp patches or rings on walls or ceilings.

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Maintaining your home

Our team at Quealy & Co are always available to offer property advice so please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions.

Call us 01795 429836 or email hello@quealy.co.uk to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.