When the chill of winter sets in, the last thing you want to deal with is the frustration of a frozen pipe. It's a common issue that can lead to pipes bursting and costly damage if left unattended. But fear not! Our handy guide is here to help you tackle this freezing problem head-on.
Spotting a frozen pipe
During the winter, a sudden absence of water in your home could signal a potential frozen pipe. You can investigate by checking the water flow from your taps. If you have no water or only a trickle, it may be a telltale sign of a frozen pipe. Listen out for any unusual sounds from your plumbing system, as strange noises can often indicate underlying issues.
How to deal with a frozen pipe
Our video below explains the steps you should take if you’ve got a frozen pipe:
Quick fixes for frozen pipes
- Turn off the water supply at the stop tap. Most stop taps are fitted under the kitchen or utility room sink and can be closed by turning clockwise. If you’re not sure where your stop tap is, watch our how-to guide!
- Check to see if the pipe has burst.
- Open the affected tap. Slowly thaw the pipe with hot water bottles, a hairdryer, or a towel soaked in hot water. Start thawing at the end nearest the tap.
- Never use a naked flame or blowtorch to thaw the pipe.
- Don't leave taps dripping or running, as the water may not drain away if the pipe below is frozen.
If the pipe has already burst, you’ll need to call a plumber – check out WaterSafe’s approved plumbers list so you’ve got a phone number to hand!
Preventing frozen pipes
To prevent this problem from happening in the future, you can insulate your pipes with some pipe lagging that you can pick up from your local DIY store. If you’re not sure how to do that, we have a helpful how-to guide that you can follow.
You can also get a FREE tap jacket by signing up to Save our Streams, which will help keep your taps insulated and free from any problems this winter!