In some years, winter seems a long time coming, and at other times it arrives early. Winter is a crucial period for domestic water supplies, particularly when it comes to burst pipes. Sometimes having old, damaged pipework stores up problems for when the severe weather hits, whenever winter comes early, late or right on time.
What should you do if you have a frozen main supply pipe? When water freezes in a pipe it expands. This expanding pressure can rupture the surface of the pipe, causing it to burst. As a homeowner you can then face a big clean-up operation – a leaking pipe can spill over 2,000 gallons of water a day!
The sign of a frozen pipe is that one or more of your taps won’t be working. Check to see if your neighbours still have their water – if they do then it’s definitely your own local supply problem. Turn off your water (always make sure you know where the stop-tap is in your home). If you’ve got a cold-water tank in your loft you’ll need to turn off the stopcock here too.
Protect all your possessions and your electricity supply. Then think about calling in the experts, because thawing out a frozen supply pipe is delicate work.
We can locate the frozen area and take the necessary action. We can also advise you on future preventative action to protect your pipes. It’s worth thinking about getting replacement mains water if you’ve got old pipework. The older your pipework, particularly if its lead, the more susceptible it’s likely to be to damage and wear and tear.
Sometimes replacement mains water isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity – if your frozen pipes burst. Save yourself the anxiety and heartache and get your pipes checked out before the cold weather comes. We’re not just around to clean up and solve problems. We have a big part to play in preventing accidents in the home happening in the first place. Make sure your pipes are prepared for winter.
