Frozen pipes can be lead to serious plumbing damage – which can be both dangerous and costly to fix if left untreated or unnoticed. It’s important that you understand how to prevent your Bromley or Sevenoaks property’s pipes from freezing, providing them with the same TLC that you give yourself in the winter. You know, warmth, comfort and all that…
6 Steps for preventing frozen pipes
You never know when the temperature is going to drop. The UK weather is pretty unpredictable, especially in Croydon when it comes to ice and snow. A fine summers day can be followed by an icy morning, even in the summer, so it’s vital that you keep on guard for any pipe freezing.
Below, we have listed the 6 steps to follow that will help you look after your plumbing during the winter months (or through all 4 seasons in the UK).
Find out how you can stop your pipes freezing in the colder months
1. Frozen pipes can lead to splits and cracks
Cold temperatures will usually mean freezing, but in some cases this can be bad…
When it comes to the water in your pipes, freezing is usually a bad thing. When water freezes, it expands and the ice consumes more space than the water once did. The extra pressure on the pipes can cause them to split, so be sure to check them for splits and cracks regularly.
2. A split pipe will inevitably leak
Frozen water will eventually thaw out, meaning you’ll be left with flowing water and a pipe that has a hole in it.
Leaking pipes can be a real pain. You might not even notice a leak straight away, so it’s important to carry out frequent checks to make sure any damage is caught as early as possible. Checking for leaks on a regular basis is a wise idea.
3. Don’t forget about your outdoor pipes
Don’t just check your indoor pipes, check the pipes outside too. These are the most vulnerable of all the pipes, more greatly exposed to the colder temperatures and at a higher risk of freezing because of it.
If you don’t want them to freeze, split or leak, we’d recommend you pay attention and check them regularly.
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4. Check your sink plumbing
Any pipes that lead outside or are tucked away under your sink will need checking too. Any pipes in unheated spaces, such as your garage for example, will need extra care and attention. If you make a mental note of which pipes are the most susceptible to freezing, you can keep on top of things with ease.
5. Coat your pipes with extra protection
insulation, such as rubber sleeves, will help to keep your vulnerable pipes warm and protect them from the wintry conditions. The rubber will help to maintain the heat in the pipes and in turn prevent them from freezing. DIY stores up and down the country will have pipe sleeves on their shelves, so it might be a good idea to invest in a handful if you are worried about your pipes freezing.
6. Check them frequently
Even if you insulate your pipes, they can still freeze in extreme chilly weather. Make sure you check for freezing, splits, cracks and leaks on a regular basis and you can avoid the cost of repair.
Don’t forget about the pipes outdoors, under the sink or in the loft – they can freeze too!
How can we help?
The Heat-Tec Plumbing Engineers are always happy to help and advise where possible. If you have any plumbing questions or you would like to speak to us about frozen pipes, be sure to get in touch and we will help you the best that we can.