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Frozen water pipes

Frozen Water PipesAre you concerned about frozen water pipes causing water damage to your property? If so, you are right to be concerned. The AA has recently reported a huge raise in the amount of claims because of frozen water pipes bursting and causing thawed water to come pouring from the break. If however, the water pipe has already burst and water is flowing out, click the following link for help with burst water pipes.

Tips to stop water damage from frozen water pipes

If you discover you have frozen water pipes, follow the following steps to help prevent water damage to your property:

1. Turn off the water supply

  • Turn off the main stop tap. You should find this under the kitchen sink or where the service pipe enters your home
  • Turn off the stopcock in your cold water tank if you have one, it's usually found in the attic or loft

2. Beat water damage from the burst pipe

  • Protect everything around the frozen water pipe to avoid damage if it bursts.

3. Thawing out

  • Open the tap nearest to the part of the frozen water pipe so the water can flow through when it has melted
  • Thaw the ice in the frozen water pipe with a hot water bottle or hairdryer (taking care to keep it well away from any water), beginning from the tap end and working back toward the cold water tank. Never use a heat gun or blow torch

Preventing frozen water pipes bursting

If a frozen water pipe bursts and water comes gushing through the ceiling, it can wreak real damage on your home and its contents. Even worse, burst pipes and leaks can be complicated to fix, causing damage to timbers, floor boards and possibly leading to wet rot.

You can avoid this kind of damage by preventing burst pipes and leaks in the first place. As frozen water pipes often burst, winter care is crucial. Try the following care tips:

  • Insulate your loft and the sides of your water tanks
  • Insulate all your water pipes
  • Open the loft trap door on cold days to let heat in
  • If you're away for awhile, spending winter somewhere warmer perhaps, then ask a friend or relative to check on your home and make sure water pipes haven't burst or frozen
  • Re-washer dripping taps because if they freeze they'll block the pipe. This will also it will save up to a litre of water a day and your money if it's a hot tap
  • Make sure you know where your stop tap is and check regularly that you can turn it off easily in an emergency
  • In very cold weather the heating will need to be on low, or set to come on a couple of times a day, especially if you're going away. Most modern boilers have a frost protection thermostat, which turns on automatically if the temperature drops to a level that will cause your pipes to freeze

More information and help regarding water damage from frozen water pipes

Frozen Water Pipes - Check your timber and floors are not damagedIf you need any help or information regarding any water damage to your property from a burst or frozen water pipe, contact Wise Property Care on 0800 65 22 678 or find your local branch.

Alternately, visit the following web pages for information and help with burst water pipes, rising damp treatment, damp proofing, penetrating damp, condensation treatment or basement waterproofing.