For homeowners, winter comes with its own share of worries, and nobody wants to have to put in a claim on their home insurance during the lead-up to Christmas! One of the most important things you can do to protect your home is to prepare your pipes for freezing temperatures. A frozen pipe can burst, causing flooding and damage to your home. Read on for some tips on how to winterise your home by protecting your pipes from freezing.
Why pipes freeze
Even when your taps aren’t on, pipes will usually have some water in them. When the temperature drops, this water can freeze, leaving your pipes at risk of bursting.
How to prevent your pipes from freezing
Keep an eye on the temperatures and if they look as though they will drop into single digits, it’s time to winterise your home and protect your plumbing from frozen water. Here are some steps you can take:
- Insulate pipes and water tanks
- Leave your heating running
- Keep your thermostat on low even when you are away
- Run your taps frequently (although keep an eye on your water meter to ensure you don’t foot a high bill)
- Increase the circulation of warm air in areas which have pipes, such as under sinks and in the attic
What to do if your pipes freeze
If your pipes freeze, you will need to act quickly to ensure they don’t burst. Firstly, run some water through them to see if you can get water flowing, and to identify which pipes are frozen. Increase the ambient temperature in your home by turning up the heating, or by putting a heater in the area in which the pipe is frozen (never leave a space heater unattended). Feel along the pipe to ascertain which section is frozen and wrap a warm cloth around it, or gently warm it with a hairdryer. If you are unable to defrost the pipe, or if the pipe bursts, it’s time to call in an expert.
