As winter sets in across the UK, the risk of frozen pipes becomes a pressing concern for homeowners. Frozen pipes can cause significant damage, from burst pipes flooding your home to costly repairs and disruption of your water supply. The good news is that by taking the right precautions, you can protect your pipes from freezing this winter. Here’s how to safeguard your home’s plumbing system and ensure everything continues to run smoothly, even during the coldest months.
Insulate Your Pipes: The First Line of Defence
Insulating your pipes is one of the most effective ways to prevent freezing. Exposed pipes, especially those in lofts, garages, or external walls, are highly vulnerable to the cold. But why does insulation matter? When pipes freeze, the water inside expands and can cause the pipe to crack or burst. Insulating your pipes helps maintain a stable temperature inside them, reducing the risk of freezing.
- What to use: Pipe insulation sleeves made of foam or rubber are an affordable and effective option. For pipes in particularly cold areas, use heating cables or heated tape, which can be wrapped around the pipe to keep it warm.
- Where to focus: Start by insulating pipes in unheated or poorly insulated areas, such as those in your loft, under kitchen or bathroom sinks, or in external walls.
Keep Your Home Warm: Don’t Let the Cold Inside
Maintaining a constant, moderate temperature inside your home is essential. The colder it gets indoors, the higher the chance your pipes will freeze. According to the Energy Saving Trust, keeping your home at a temperature of around 12-15°C, even when you’re not home, can help protect your plumbing and prevent frozen pipes.
- Why this works: Warm air inside your home keeps the temperature of pipes stable, particularly those in colder areas. Even if you’re away, don’t turn off your heating completely. Instead, set it to a low level to maintain a consistent, warm environment.
- Tip: If you’re planning on leaving your home for a while, consider leaving your heating on a low setting, or ask a neighbour to check in on your home to ensure everything is running smoothly.
Open Cabinet Doors: Let the Heat Flow
Pipes running under sinks or inside kitchen and bathroom cupboards can be particularly vulnerable during colder months. These areas tend to trap cold air, making the pipes more susceptible to freezing.
- How to do it: Open the cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes. This simple action can help prevent freezing, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms where water fixtures are common.
Let Your Taps Drip: Keep the Water Moving
When temperatures plummet, allowing your taps to drip can make a big difference. By letting a small amount of water flow, you prevent the water from stagnating in the pipes, which makes it more likely to freeze.
- Why it works: Moving water is less likely to freeze than water sitting still. A slow drip from both hot and cold taps in particularly vulnerable areas (like kitchens or bathrooms) will reduce the risk of blockages or freezing.
- Note: This is a simple but effective trick, particularly if you’re expecting a sharp drop in temperature overnight.
Seal Gaps and Drafts: Keep the Cold Out
Cold air entering your home through cracks and gaps can quickly make your pipes vulnerable to freezing. A well-sealed home will help keep the temperature inside consistent and protect your pipes from extreme fluctuations in temperature.
- Where to seal: Focus on areas where pipes enter or exit your home, such as around windows, doors, and especially where pipes emerge from the walls. Use expanding foam, weather stripping, or silicone sealant to seal these gaps effectively.
- Why this helps: By sealing up drafts, you prevent cold air from reaching your pipes and ensure that your heating system remains efficient, keeping the temperature stable.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses: Protect Outdoor Taps
Outdoor taps are particularly vulnerable to freezing as they are exposed to the elements. If you don’t disconnect garden hoses, the water inside can freeze and cause damage to both the tap and the pipes leading to it.
- What to do: Before the first frost of winter, disconnect, drain, and store any garden hoses. If you have outdoor taps with an internal shut-off valve, turn it off and drain the remaining water.
- Tip: Invest in a tap cover for added protection against the cold.
Know How to Thaw Frozen Pipes: Act Quickly
If you suspect that a pipe has frozen, quick action is essential to prevent further damage. First, turn off your water supply to avoid potential flooding. Then, begin the thawing process.
- Thawing tips: Use a hairdryer, heat lamp, or portable space heater to gently warm the pipe. Start at the section nearest to the tap, working your way towards the rest of the pipe. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes, as this can cause the pipe to burst or even create a fire risk.
- Important: If you can’t access the frozen pipe or it’s in a hard-to-reach location, it’s best to call a professional plumber.
Call a Professional: Regular Inspections Are Key
If you’re unsure how to protect your pipes or suspect a problem, don’t wait until it’s too late. At GH Heating, our expert plumbers can carry out a thorough inspection of your plumbing system and recommend tailored solutions to safeguard against frozen pipes this winter.
By acting now, you can prevent the costly and disruptive consequences of burst pipes, keeping your home safe and dry all season long. Call us today 07869 818968 or click here to get in touch to schedule an inspection, and let us help you enjoy a stress-free winter with fully protected pipes.