HOW TO DEAL WITH FROZEN PIPES

We’ve all been there: you turn on the tap and nothing comes out. Here’s what you need to know if your pipes freeze…

First of all, act fast! You need to deal with a frozen pipe quickly to avoid the possibility of it bursting, which can be costly. Shut off the water supply at the stopcock inside your house (but make sure you leave the taps on, so the water can escape once it starts to thaw). Follow the pipe back from the tap; look for places where it runs through cold areas, such as a loft.

You can thaw exposed frozen pipes quite easily using a hairdryer on a low setting or a towel soaked in hot water. Start at the tap and work back towards the frozen area so the thawed water can flow out freely. Once everything is thawed, check for leaks before turning the water back on. If you have a leak or are having repeated trouble with frozen pipes, call a registered plumber; find one at ciphe.org.uk or call 01708 472791.

To prevent pipes freezing, ensure exposed pipes and storage systems are properly insulated, particularly in the roof space or loft. You can buy foam insulation wrap at DIY stores or, in the short term, improvise by covering any exposed pipes with roof insulation. If you have a storage cistern in the roof space, open the loft hatch to allow some heat from the house to rise to help keep the cistern from freezing. If you’re going away during a cold spell, leave the thermostat set low (at most 5°C).

If a pipe bursts, stop water running past the point of the leak by turning off the water supply via the stopcock.

This will buy you some time to call in a professional.