This is the worst weather for pipes. Your home is under siege from bad weather, and this isn't good news for your pipes. It spell disaster for them if the frost gets to them first and you don't want to be dealing with that throughout the cold winter months.
Temperatures naturally drop considerably during the winter season, and this causes the pipes in your home to freeze. Then they can burst, and this then wreaks havoc on your home and its contents.
Pipes that are vulnerable from freezing weather are those that are poorly protected, those that are exposed to icy draughts, and pipes that are inside cupboards, as they will be shut off from warm air in your house.
What causes a pipe to freeze? What is it that makes a pipe burst during freezing weather?
The constant freezing of water and then the expansion of the water inside the pipes can create pressure that builds up between the closed faucet and the icy blockage. The water freezes and expands while it's in your pipes. It's then that it'll start creating pressure inside. The repeated pressure on the pipes will eventually cause it to burst.
What can you do to avoid this?
To make sure the water doesn't freeze while it's in your pipe, make sure you have insulation in your tanks and your loft. Lagging, which you can get from most DIY stores will help prevent freezing. You need to keep your pipes from getting cold, so make sure your thermostat on the boiler is working as it should and this should help prevent your pipes from freezing. Also, open your cupboards and and any sink cupboards during freezing weather so as to allow in heat.
Yes, your heating is going to be on in cold weather, but it's a good idea to have it on a low setting throughout the cold weather period.
Do you know where the stopcock is?
If not, then make sure you find out, that way you can turn it off when there's an emergency. If you think you might forget, or you won't be home when something happens, then try labelling the stopcock so it's easy to find for someone else.
Always check your pipes and if you're away, then make sure your neighbours, friends or relatives check the pipes during your absence. They need to be checked to see that they haven't frozen.
Maintenance
Check your pipes regularly for repair, and if they have a drip, then reapply new washers because if they do freeze, then your pipes will become blocked, and this can lead to bursting.
When Your Pipes Burst
What happens if your pipes do burst, what can you do? It will need to be dealt with quickly so the problem doesn't get any bigger. If you're not sure what to do in the event of this happening, then get in touch with us here at East of Scotland Drainage Services and we can help you deal with your burst pipes. If you're not confident about dealing with something like this it's best to call in the professionals. We hope our tips on avoiding burst pipes has been helpful, get in touch if you need any more help.