Housing

Avoiding burst water pipes in your home

Extreme Cold can cause internal and external water pipes and drainage systems to freeze up, when this happens the water in the pipes expands and can cause the pipes and fittings to split or burst open. When the frozen water melts any damage will become obvious as water leaks out of the system. Leaking water can cause sever damage to properties and must be stopped as soon as possible.

Protecting your home from the extreme cold weather

Stopping pipes from freezing

The following is a guide to limit the potential of frozen pipes and what to do in preparation.

Lag exposed pipes with insulation
Install loft and cavity wall insulation (special attention should be taken over pipes in loft spaces)
Stop any dripping taps and valves, the water could freeze in the waste or overflow pipe and cause a blockage
Keep the property warm, and if you are going away consider leaving the heating on low and ask a friend or relative to inspect periodically
Try to stop any draughts
Know where to turn the water off
Keep the phone number of a reliable plumber and electrician to hand
Get suitable insurance cover and now what the policy requires you to do and what it will cover

If you get a frozen pipe or suspect a frozen pipe

If you turn a tap on and only a trickle of water comes out, you may a frozen pipe.

Try to locate if safe to do so the suspected area of the frozen pipe. Likely places include;

Pipes running against outside walls
where your water supply enters your home through the foundation and
pipes in loft spaces.

If you find a frozen pipe try to gently and slowly thaw it out. There are a number of ways including;

Keeping the tap open (with a bucket or similar underneath to collect any water ie so you don’t cause a flood etc.) As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt more ice in the pipe.
Apply heat gently to the section of pipe using for example a hot water bottle, wrapping pipes with warm towels or towels soaked in hot water (you may need to keep replacing the towels to keep them warm.
Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a plumber.
Be prepared for the pipe to leak after you have thawed it out (buckets, bowls, towels etc) as it may have either hairline cracks or have expanded and damaged a joint.
Check all other taps in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

If in doubt always contact a plumber.

Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device. A blowtorch can make water in a frozen pipe boil and cause the pipe to explode. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.

If you get a burst water pipe.

Turn your electrical system off (there is the potential that water could have got into the system and could cause electrical shock) straight away.
Turn the mains water supply off.
Inform your insurance company, they will instruct you what to do next
If you live in rented accommodation contact your landlord
If you have no insurance contact your plumber and electrician, you may also have to do this if you have insurance
Water may have caused damage to ceilings and these could have bowed and be holding water, enter these rooms carefully as the ceiling could collapse at any time.
Textured coatings (Artex and similiar), there is the possibility that some ceiling with this type of decorative finish may contain asbestos, before carrying out any work on these they need to be checked

This will take you to South Staffs Water’s web site:

www.south-staffs-water.co.uk/your_home/winter_emergencies

Empty Properties

There has been a spate of boiler, radiator and pipe work thefts out of properties that are vacant. Long term and short term vacant properties have been targeted. If you are going away or have an empty property make sure you have the correct insurance and that the property is adequately secured. In some circumstances it could also be advisable to inform your neighbours.

Condensing boilers and extreme cold weather

Nationally the extreme cold weather has started to cause the drainage (condensing) pipe leading from a boiler to outside of a house to become frozen.

The link below from the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) has guidance for householders about frozen condensate discharge pipes.

www.centralheating.co.uk/checklists/frozen-condensate-pipes

As highlighted on the HHIC guidance many boiler manufacturers or service companies or utility companies have help lines or websites giving guidance on this and also in some cases ‘on-line’ step-by step videos.