Frozen Pipes - Watch Out

The first sign of a frozen pipe is usually a tap once turned on nothing comes out! If you do suspect a frozen pipe, your first step should be to locate affected area. The results of frozen pipes are not worth thinking about. It often happens when people are away on holiday when they have turned their heating off. This means that water can be continuously running from the broken pipe for hours or even days. This can result in ruined floors, ceilings and furniture. The problem is caused by water in the pipes freezing. This causes the water to expand and put pressure on the pipes and joints. The can result in cracks and splits in the pipe work.

It is fairly simple to prevent frozen pipes in the winter months and here are a few tips for you:

Be aware of the location of your stopcock and check it is easy to turn off every now and then.

Keep your heating ticking over on a low setting, especially when you are away.

Insulate pipes around particularly cold spots, taking extra care near joints and corners.

Leave a key with neighbours and ask them to check your house regularly.

Draining your system might be the best idea if you are going to be away for a long period of time. You can do this by turning off the water and running the taps until the tank runs dry.

Have a Gas Safe plumber check your central heating system regularly - we have a number of vetted and reliable gas engineers

Check your insurance is up to date and note that some insurers may not pay out if the water escape is down to wear and tear.

If the worst should happen, turn off all the water and call your insurer.

Lets hope this does not happen to you but if you should experience any difficulty please contact me and we will sort you out!

Keep Warm

Alison

Tel 0117 9081198

Thursday, 07 January 2010 15:08