Autumn is most certainly here, and as the leaves change colour and fall to the ground, temperatures are starting to fall too. The Met Office is forecasting it will turn increasingly colder as we head towards the weekend with patchy frost in some areas. A cold snap can lead to a surge in pipe problems at home, which can be costly. According to the ABI, the voice of the UK’s insurance industry, its members paid out an estimated £804 million in 2022 for issues related to burst pipes in people’s homes.
Our homes have a combination of both indoor and outdoor pipes, and you may be worried about the thought of having to deal with frozen pipes as temperatures start to drop. The good news is there are a few simple precautions to prevent your pipes from freezing, and in this blog, we’re going to take a look at what you can do to get winter ready to keep your family cosy during the colder weather, whether you use heating oil, LPG or any other fuel source.
Why do pipes freeze?
Firstly, let’s take a look at why pipes freeze.
Pipes freeze when temperatures fall below zero degrees Celsius. This is because the water that runs through them freezes, turning into ice. Whilst pipes won’t freeze the moment that the temperature hits the freezing point, prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures makes them more likely to freeze. This is especially true where there is poor insulation or a lack of water flow, as stationary water is more prone to freezing.
What happens when pipes freeze?
When water freezes, it expands by just under 10%, taking up more space and pressurising pipes from the inside out - stopping the flow of water through the pipes. This can result in cracks or burst pipes as the ice thaws, especially in older pipes or those where corrosion is already present. Burst pipes can lead to significant water damage, not to mention the inconvenience of being without water until the pipes are repaired and the potential of expensive repair bills.
How can I stop my pipes from freezing?
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Insulate both outdoor and indoor water pipes – not only will it help to prevent them from freezing, but will prevent heat loss too, increasing the efficiency of your central heating system and leading to lower heating bills. Don’t forget any pipes in your loft, garage or basement. It’s also worth insulating your water tank too. Insulating materials are a cheap fix. Lag your pipes with tube-shaped foam, the most common type, fiber-glass, which is more durable than foam, or rubber, which is very flexible and easy to install, all of which can be purchased from your local DIY, and come in a range of thicknesses and sizes to fit different types of pipes. Insulating your pipes creates a barrier between them and the surrounding air, helping to maintain water temperature inside the pipe, and minimising condensation and moisture damage.
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Keep your home heated at an ambient temperature during cold spells and make sure your heating system is working efficiently. In sub-zero weather conditions, it’s a good idea to keep your heating ticking over at a low temperature, even when you’re away from home. This keeps the heat and water circulating. Of course, you may be concerned about high energy bills this winter and be looking to ‘tighten your heating belt’ and maximise home efficiency. The good news is that home heating oil has recently hit a two-year low, and with the Northern Energy Premium Package*, you receive a 2 pence per litre discount on every delivery, and for LPG users, VAT is paid on every delivery*. Cold spots in your system will be most vulnerable to freezing temperatures, so bleed your radiators regularly to remove trapped air which will prevent hot water from circulating properly. Also, if you have pipes in unheated spaces such as your loft or in cupboards, it’s worth opening the loft hatch or cupboard doors during icy weather to allow warm air to circulate.
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Maintaining your heating oil or LPG boiler is also important. Having it serviced every year will enhance its performance and ensure it runs at maximum efficiency to prevent the risk of potential and costly breakdowns which would leave you without heating and/or hot water. It will not only lower heating oil or LPG bills and extend the lifespan of your boiler, but will also ensure your family is protected from what’s often called ‘the silent killer’, carbon monoxide.
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Fix leaky taps which can cause your drains to freeze and water to back up to your sink. Even a small trickle can result in a frozen pipe.
How do I know if my pipes have frozen?
One of the first signs is just a trickle of water coming from your taps - perhaps there’s no water flow at all. Or you may hear gurgling sounds, or clanging or banging noises as the ice begins to thaw. Check with your neighbours to see if they still have water – if so, your pipes might be frozen.
Another sign is if your toilet doesn’t refill after flushing. Or you may notice that exposed pipes have patches of visible frost on them, and are particularly cold to the touch.
Perhaps your boiler won’t fire up. If pipes are frozen, water will be prevented from flowing into your boiler, and without water, your boiler can’t operate – it will cut off as a safety measure.
If you spot the signs, immediate action needs to be taken. Carefully thawing your pipes by applying gentle heat to the frozen section of the pipe should get things back up and running, but if this doesn’t work, you may need a professional engineer to attend and fix the problem.
What to do when your pipes freeze
A frozen pipe won’t always burst – but needs dealing with right away. The longer you wait, the more likely the pipe will burst.
The first thing to do is turn off your water supply at your stop cock, and turn off your boiler and/or your immersion heater. It’s important to know where your stop cock is - they’re often located under the kitchen sink, but if you don’t know where yours is, then find out – don’t wait for an emergency.
Open taps nearest to the frozen pipe so that when the water thaws it has somewhere to go, and flush your toilets to drain your system. Have buckets and towels ready just in case the pipe does burst. Then you can start to thaw the pipe.
Start at the end of the pipe nearest to the tap and cautiously thaw using a hairdryer on its lowest setting or a towel soaked in hot water. As the pipe thaws and the melted water flows out of your taps, double-check for leaks, then turn your water and boiler back on.
If water is leaking out anywhere near electric sockets or equipment, you now need professional help. Call a qualified electrician and your OFTEC registered heating oil engineer or GAS SAFE engineer.
The worst! – what to do when your water pipe has burst
When the worst happens, it’s important to know what to do. Prompt action must be taken to reduce water damage to the structure and contents of your home.
The first thing to do as soon as you discover the leak is turn off your water supply at the stop cock and drain your system by turning on all taps and flushing all toilets to remove water from the system. Disconnect your electricity supply if it’s safe to do so to protect against electrical hazards and place a bucket under the leak to catch the water. Then call a professional OFTEC registered heating oil engineer or GAS SAFE engineer.
Water damage can be costly and you may need to claim on your home insurance so take photos before and during the clean-up process to support your claim and keep damaged items.
We hope you've found this information helpful, but don't forget, we're always here to help. If you have any concerns, please pick up the phone and call us on 01423 770 666.
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