Protect your water pipes from frost damage
Protecting your pipes
• Wrap all pipework, cisterns and tanks in unheated areas like lofts, roofs, outbuildings and garages with insulation which you can usually get at your local DIY store or plumbers’ merchants at a modest cost
• Keep your home heated during a very cold snap - set your timer to constant or 24 hours and use your thermostat to maintain some warmth through the night and while you're out.
• Get to know your stop taps - you'll need to turn them off quickly if there's a burst. Check regularly that they're working..
How to defrost frozen pipes
• Turn off the stop tap. You can find this at the point where the water pipe enters the property, usually under the kitchen sink, but could be in the garage or the cellar.
• Feel the pipework around the stop tap to check for signs of freezing.
• Try heating the pipe with a fan heater or hair dryer. Never use a naked flame.
• Turn the stop tap back on.
• Insulate your pipes with waterproof foam lagging, available from most DIY outlets or plumbing merchants.
What to do when the pipes begin to thaw
Damage to pipes occurs when they become frozen, but you're only going to notice when the water in the pipe thaws.
If a pipe is frozen, isolate the affected area by closing the stop tap (see above). Start running your taps into sink basins and baths to drain the plumbing system. This should reduce damage caused by water escaping from a burst pipe.
Warning
After freezing has occurred in pipes there's a risk of a burst if heat is applied suddenly so don't switch on water heating appliances, including boilers and immersion heaters, until you're sure the system has thawed out. Reheat the building using gas, solid fuel or electric heaters that are unconnected with the plumbing or central heating system.
Don't try to thaw pipes using a naked flame. A hair dryer can be used to direct heat onto frozen pipes, but take care, the pipe may burst as it thaws and spray water. Thaw the pipe at the end nearest the tap first.
Resuming normal service
Once the plumbing has thawed and there's no leaks, stop running the taps and slowly open the stop tap. Check the plumbing system for leaks once it's under pressure and, only when you're satisfied all systems are thawed, switch on water heating appliances. If you notice a leak, isolate the affected pipe by closing the stop tap, then call a plumber. .
Advice extract from www.yorkshirewater.com
Published on Tuesday 25th October 2011
