With the cold snap continuing, it's advisable to take some precautions to avoid suffering damage to your home from burst and frozen pipes. Here are some useful prevention tips as well as some advice on what to do in the event of discovering burst and frozen pipes.
What to do if you discover a frozen pipe
A frozen pipe can cause it to burst causing thawed water to come pouring from the break. Please follow these steps if you discover a frozen pipe …
- If taps aren't working, showers aren't running and you have problems with your heating it could be you have frozen pipes and it's likely you will already know about it!
- If you're not sure check all the taps in your home, especially those hidden away outdoors or in the garage, are they running freely? And what about water fountains and features in the garden? It could be they have frozen and you didn't even know!
Can I help prevent them bursting?
- Thawing out … Open the tap nearest to the part of the pipe you think is frozen so the water can flow through when it has melted. Thaw the ice in the pipe with a hot water bottle or hairdryer (taking care to keep it well away from any water), beginning from the tap end and working back toward the cold water tank. Never use a heat gun or blow torch.
What to do if you discover a burst pipe …
A burst pipe can cause serious damage to your home's structure and electrical wiring. Please follow these steps if you discover a burst pipe …
- Turn off the water at the main stop cock (it's generally found underneath your kitchen sink). By turning off the water you will reduce the amount of water which can escape and so minimise damage to your home.
- Switch off central heating and any other water heating installations at the same time to avoid further damage and open all taps to drain the system.
- If water leaks near your electrics or electrical appliances, switch off the mains immediately. If it is wet, don't touch them.
- Call professional tradesmen as soon as possible to make repairs
- To make a claim on your home insurance policy, first call your insurance company, if this is Aviva you can contact them on 0844 891 1222 – their claims lines are open all day, all night, every day of the year. One of our expert incident managers will begin to process your claim immediately and give you further guidance
Prevention Tips
As frozen pipes often burst, winter care is crucial. Try the following care tips:
Consider leaving your heating on in sub zero temperatures
- This means that water in pipes will remain at a constant temperature and should not get cold enough to freeze. Also remember to remove the hatch to your loft so that warm air can circulate.
Going away for the festive period?
- If you are going away for a few days or weeks - again consider leaving heating on at a constant low level 24 hours a day, this means that water in pipes will remain at a constant temperature and should not get cold enough to freeze. Also remember to remove the hatch to your loft so that warm air can circulate.
(This may appear environmentally unfriendly or a little extravagant during these economic conditions, but it might mean the difference between a ruined home or a dry one when you return from your break)
And get someone to check on your home while you are away, if a problem is spotted early the damage could be much less.
Tell your insurer
- If you are planning a longer holiday over the winter period make sure you tell your insurer. Most standard policies don't cover you for standard perils like escape of water, burglary and theft if your home is unoccupied or unfurnished for a certain period of time.
Lots of lagging
- One of the main causes of freezing pipes is lack of lagging - so anyone attempting to do a bit of plumbing themselves, should bear in mind that pipes and tanks in the loft, or anywhere else liable to freeze, need to be properly lagged.
Insulate on top of pipes
- Insulation should be laid on top of pipes rather than underneath them, as insulation laid below the pipes will prevent rising heat reaching them. Wrap up water tanks and cisterns in insulating jackets.
Find the stop cock
- Before cold weather arrives, find your main stop cock and make sure you can turn it on or off. It's generally found underneath your kitchen sink. There should also be an access point for a stop cock outside your home (normally near your driveway) so if all else fails you can turn off the supply there.
Check the taps
- Repair any dripping taps and don't forget to insulate outside taps in your garden or garage (or turn off the water supply to them altogether).
