Jan
6
Written by:
Ted Laverty
1/6/2010 5:36 PM
What are the risks of freezing pipes?
It’s a simple fact that when water freezes, it expands. Unfortunately the pipes used for your plumbing are not so flexible, resulting in burst pipes and water damage in your home. Any home with poor insulation is at risk (think many of the homes built in the last 7 years) and any space within the home where pipes are exposed to a cold air flow are vulnerable – think attic spaces, outside walls and cracked wall coverings. If in doubt, check your home out by following the investigative steps below.
How to identify freezing pipes
A frozen pipe does not leak, so the first indication is a disrupted water supply– with little or no water coming from your taps. A quick inspection of your piping may also reveal frost on the exterior of the pipe in question.
What to do if your pipes freeze
- If you suspect frozen pipes, turn off the water supply to your home as soon as possible. You can do this by locating the main stop cock (stop valve) in your house, normally located under the kitchen sink.
- Where possible also turn off the water supply from your water tank – normally located in your attic. Turn off the stop valve on it’s outlet pipe.
- Finally, turn off all water heating systems and turn on your taps to drain the system - this will minimise water damage caused in the event of a burst pipe.
- At this stage you should request a plumber to call out and check your plumbing system for further damage.
What to do if your pipes burst
- Turn off the water supply to your house and water tank as above.
- Where electrics are exposed to water, turn off your electricity supply at the mains.
- If your house is insured, contact your insurance company at this point.
- Get a plumber out as soon as possible.
- Collect any water in buckets to limit the damage
- Puncture the plaster in any bulging ceilings to relieve the pressure and limit damage
How to prevent frozen pipes
- Insulate all exposed water pipes (both internal and external) with foam based or specialist pipe insulation. Exposed pipes include those in attics, external wall cavities and near damaged walls.
- Ensure that the heating comes on for a time in unoccupied homes during cold weather spells.
Copyright ©2010 Ted Laverty
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10 comment(s) so far...
Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the Home
I came home last night and had no water in upstairs bathroom. Went into the attic and saw that the outlet pipe to the water tank was frosted over. I think I got ot it in time - used a flex and hairdyer to thaw it out. Good advice, I hope not too many people experience it
By Simon Davies on
1/7/2010 6:55 PM
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Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the Home
Our pipes are frozen at the moment and the valve on the external mains is frozen and can't be turned. We don't have a main stop valve under the sink. Is there anything else we can do?
By susan on
1/8/2010 5:12 PM
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Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the Home
You can try thawing the valve out - but go gently! Use a hairdryer or rags with hot water on them to do this. John E
By John E on
1/8/2010 5:21 PM
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Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the Home
Is it a good idea to open the trap door to the attic to avoid pipes freezing or does that lead to dondensation in the attic.
By Daniel on
1/8/2010 11:27 PM
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Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the Home
I have frozen pipes in the attic & no water in the house, I have a compi system so I have no cylinder in the house. So have you an ideas what I can do do get water back?
By Donie O'Leary on
1/9/2010 10:01 PM
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Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the Home
Answers to both questions -
"Is it a good idea to open the trap door to the attic to avoid pipes freezing or does that lead to dondensation in the attic."
It's only a good idea as a last resport - you will lose a lot of heat from the house, so it's expensive. If you have an even temperature in the house through out the day you should be Ok, but you should make sure to lag any exposed pipes to prevent it from happening.
"I have frozen pipes in the attic & no water in the house, I have a compi system so I have no cylinder in the house. So have you an ideas what I can do do get water back?"
Follow the steps above - it's good advice. How do you know the pipes in the attic are frozen ? Your mains water supply (usually at your kitchen sink tap) should still work, but your bathroom taps etc. do not. Try locate the freeze point, thaw it using a gentle heat. Poster above gave a few options. You should then be Ok.
By PHILLIP on
1/11/2010 5:17 PM
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Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the Home
I have no water coming in the Kitchen or in Garden Pipe. As advised I closed the valve. I am using the remaining water from tank at present.Don't know how long it last.How do I locate the freeze point and rectify?
By sam on
1/11/2010 9:28 PM
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Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the Home
Sounds like the feeze is outside your house. Are any neighbours in the same situation ? Can you contact the council ? Check any pipes outside the house for frost etc and thaw as above. If the freeze is beneath the ground you will need to contact council as disucssed. Philip
By Phillip on
1/12/2010 7:10 PM
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Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the Home
I have a question? I live in Tn and back a few weeks ago when had a pretty cold week mainly in the 20s and low teens at night. We were leasing a our house we use to live in and moved out of town. Our tenants ended up moving out and all utilites were turned off. So no heat, electricity or water. We didn't have anything turned back on in the house before the cold snap hit. Should I be worried when I turn the water back on that a pipe might have burst. The water had been off for about 2 weeks before the weather got like that. We are trying to sell the house and it's a newer built home. 2005 so I know the pipes are probably insulated pretty good. I just wonder what I should expect when we have the water turned back on and how I would know right off the bat if one had burst.
Thanks
By ashley on
1/29/2010 3:47 PM
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Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the Home
Hi Ashley,
If the water was switched off, then there was probably no water in the pipes to freeze. I say "probably", as it would depend if you fully drained the system after the water was switched off - if there was residual water then it could have frozen. That said, there was no load on the system as it was not being used.
For these reasons it is unlikely you will have a burst but if you are any way in doubt get a plumber out. Best of luck!
By Phillip on
2/2/2010 11:33 AM
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