Whether plumbing systems are used at home or at work, each winter brings with it sub-zero temperatures and the risk of frozen pipes and the damage that it can bring.

As soon as the mercury in the thermometer dips below zero, there is the possibility that your pipes might freeze, landing you with a big bill for fixing them, and a mess to clear-up when the temperature rises again and they start to thaw out.

As with most things, prevention is always better than cure, especially when it comes to dealing with freezing pipes and frost damaged burst pipes, so taking steps to tackle weak or unprotected areas of your vulnerable engineering and plumbing systems now should put you in a better position when the big freeze hits.

How to stop pipes from freezing

Pipes which run around the outside of your home, office or industrial facility, in crawl spaces in the roof or under floors, or through basements are particularly vulnerable to freezing and cracking,.

Take some of the following pre-emptive free measures now, in the hope of preventing a much bigger bill should the worst happen.

Garden Hoses
Disconnect the garden hose and store it away until you’re going to use it again. This will prevent outside pipes and taps freezing, breaking or developing a leak.
Draughts & Uninsulated Areas
Check outside vents, exposed and uninsulated voids, and exterior doors for draughts to try to stop the cold outside air from getting into the house or building.
Damaged Building Fabric
Address any problems with broken or cracked windows, and seal up holes, cracks and gaps in walls, roof coverings and other damaged building fabric.
Add More Insulation
Ramp up your insulation in the walls, under the floors, and in your loft. This will protect your pipes from freezing. It will also keep your home warmer, and reduce your energy bills too.
Insulate Water Pipes
Insulate or lag your pipes… lagging just means adding insulation to pipes to stop them freezing. Commercial foam lagging is very cheap to buy, widely available and easy to fit.
Know How To Turn Off Your Water Supply
Find your stopcock – this is where you can turn off the water supply to the house, office or warehouse should the pipes freeze in order to prevent flooding. Check whether individual sections of pipe are protected by shut-off valves.
Fit Trace Heating
Trace heating is added to pipe runs, usually under special insulation to protect them from freezing. This is common in commercial and industrial situations.
Consider Background Heating
If you’re planning on being away from home, look at ways of keeping a minimum temperature inside to prevent temperatures dropping too low and pipes freezing.
Drain System Water
If you are going to be away for several weeks or months over winter, think about draining the system by turning the water off at the mains and opening the taps.

How to defrost burst and frozen pipes

If you turn on a tap in cold weather and nothing happens, chances are you’ve a frozen pipe somewhere in the building.

If there’s no water anywhere inside, then it may be the incoming water mains which has frozen.

It’s important to try to clear blockages caused by ice as quickly as possible to minimise the damage when the pipes thaw out.

If you’re not confident in tackling this job yourself, ask a qualified plumber to help.

Other cold weather tips to stop pipes freezing

Check Your Water Meter
If you have a water meter, check it regularly for signs of damage or unusually excessive consumption that could indicate leaks.
Avoid Pockets Of Cold Air
In the kitchen, leave cupboard doors open overnight to allow warmer air to circulate round pipes, or remove kickboards under kitchen units.
Leave Vulnerable Water Outlets On
For vulnerable pipes which have previously frozen, think about leaving the water flowing on a trickle from the highest tap in the house, such as in an upstairs bathroom. You might be billed for the water you use, but the cost of extra water use is likely to be less than the plumbing costs of replacing or repairing pipes, and reinstating the damage caused.

Expert water system solutions

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