Check your pipes in winter, as they can freeze…
-Clean your gutters of any debris to prevent ice dams forming
-Seal up any drafts from around windows & doors, to keep the heat in – draft blockers can help
-Get your boiler checked & monitor the pressure.
Stop your pipes from freezing this winter…
-Good insulation can prevent frozen pipes.
Insulate your loft & open your loft hatch on cold days so warm air circulates
-Use a low heat setting amid cold spells
-Fit washers to dripping taps so they don’t freeze/ block the pipe.
Locate which pipes may be frozen…
-Look for condensation or a light coat of frost on the pipes
-Tap the pipes with a small tool & listen for a solid sound
-Touch the pipe surfaces to find extreme cold spots.
No matter how well you thaw out frozen plumbing, you run the risk of pipes cracking & leaking. Look out for…
-Low water pressure once pipes have thawed
-Damp ceilings, walls or floors
-Persistent noises in pipes when all the taps are off
If your pipes have frozen but not burst…
-Remove furniture & cover the carpet
-Thaw out the pipe by opening the tap nearest to the part of the frozen pipe
-Thaw the ice in the pipe with a hot water bottle, a cloth soaked in hot water or a hairdryer/ space heater/ heat lamp.