Frozen pipes can burst and cause significant water damage in your home. But the good news is, there's a lot you can do to prevent them from freezing in the first place! This guide will show you how to keep your pipes safe during the winter.

First thing first; how long does it actually take for pipes to freeze? Well, this depends on various factors, but in the UK, pipes are generally at risk when temperatures drop below freezing (0°C) for several hours.

You may wonder if frozen pipes unfreeze on their own? Well, possibly - but it's best not to take the chance. A frozen pipe can burst if it's not addressed quickly.

Should I turn off the water if my pipes are frozen? Yes, this is crucial to prevent further damage.

Take a look at the rest of our guide and you’ll learn:

  • Prevent frozen pipes
  • Check for frozen pipes
  • Thaw frozen pipes (safely!)
  • Fix burst pipes (until a plumber arrives)

How to prevent frozen pipes

Abnormally cold weather puts pipes at risk. You could have lived in your home for years and never had a problem, however, you can’t always predict a problem arising and prevention is always better than cure. Frozen pipes are more common in colder areas of the home like the loft, garage or under sinks.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to stop pipes freezing during a UK winter.

Keep the central heating on

Central heating keeps the pipes warm and ensures a constant flow of water through the water system. The warm water can help prevent frozen or burst pipes.

Add pipe insulation

Pipe insulation (or pipe lagging) is an easy and cost-effective way to protect your pipes from the cold. You can buy a metre of foam insulation for less than £1 and it’s easy to fit onto the pipes yourself by making a cut along the foam tube and securing it with duct tape.

Allow the faucet to drip 

By leaving the faucet open even slightly, you can relieve pressure in the pipe which causes it to burst if the pipe freezes. This can prevent pressure from building and the pipe from bursting.

Apply heating tape

Heating tape is ideal for short sections of pipe that are exposed to cold air. Automatic heating tape turns on when it detects cold and manual tape must be plugged in and turned off when not needed. This can be dangerous though so you must use it correctly.

Seal up any cracks and holes

Prevent cold air from reaching exposed pipes by sealing up cracks and holes around the pipework. You should seal holes both on the inside and outside of your property. If available, use insulation to lock the heat inside.

Keep cabinet doors open that have pipework inside

Cabinets under sinks can become cold easily as they are cool, dark spaces. If you suspect the pipework inside is at risk of freezing, keep the cabinet doors open to allow the heat to get inside. Do this by turning your heating on or placing a portable heater outside the cabinet to warm up the area.

How to check for frozen pipes

During a cold snap, you might experience frozen pipes in your house. It’s more common if the temperature drops suddenly or if you have exposed pipes outside. If you think you may have frozen pipes, there are a few key signs to watch out for. 

Here are some signs of frozen pipes:

  • Trickle or complete lack of running water from a faucet
  • Visible frost on pipes
  • Unusual smells coming from taps or drains
  • A recent drop in outside temperature

If you notice any of these signs, it's best to investigate further. Do a quick check yourself before calling a plumber:

  • Turn on all taps and see if water flows freely.
  • Look for frost on pipes, especially in crawl spaces, cabinets, and the garage.
  • Check for strange smells coming from drains or taps.

Early detection is key to preventing a bigger problem.

How to thaw frozen pipes

If you have discovered frozen pipes in your home, there are some measures you can take before calling for professional help. If the pipes have not yet burst, you need to act quickly.

Here's what to do:

  1. Turn off the water supply at the stopcock. This stops more water from entering the frozen pipe and potentially causing a burst.
  2. Start thawing the pipes closest to the taps. This allows melted ice and steam to escape easily.
  3. Use safe heat sources: Apply heat with towels soaked in hot water, hot water bottles, or a hairdryer on a low setting. Never use a naked flame as these can damage pipes and start fires.

If you can thaw the pipes without causing a burst, you likely won't need a plumber.

What to do if a pipe has burst

Sometimes you can’t prevent your pipes from bursting. Here’s what to do before the plumber arrives to prevent the problem from getting worse.

The burst pipe might not be immediately visible, so the first thing you need to do is find it. Once you’ve found the burst pipe, follow these steps:

  • Turn off the water at the main stopcock as soon as you notice the problem to prevent further water damage
  • Turn a tap on to relieve any remaining pressure in the pipes
  • Mop up any water that’s emerged from the burst pipe to prevent further flooding or mould
  • Turn up the heat to thaw out any other frozen pipes and prevent further damage
  • Patch the leak temporarily by putting a piece of rubber and wood over the leak then clamp in place to keep pressure on the pipe and prevent it from collapsing

By following these steps, you can prevent the burst pipe from getting any worse before the pipe is repaired.

By following these steps, you can limit damage until a plumber repairs the burst pipe.

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