Due to the prolonged cold spell with sub zero temperatures there have been dealing with public queries regarding frozen pipes. Here are some tips on how to decrease the risk of pipes becoming frozen.
The first course of action is prevention. A property owner can decrease the risk of frozen pipes by undertaking a variety of measures including:
Increasing the temperature in the attic by opening the attic trap door to allow heat from the house to circulate in the attic space or by leaving the attic light on.
Increasing the room temperature in the house by placing your heating on a timer to allow it to come on intermittently for short periods. This is particularly important during the night.
Insulating the external stopcock which is located outside your property by placing foam or carpet over it, or by placing rags or cloths in the stop cock chamber. Remember any measures carried out must be completed in a manner which is safe and does not create a hazard for you or the general public.
If you own a house or a business premises that is currently closed or unoccupied, visit the property and check the heating system is set to heat the property.
Farmers should check outlying farm buildings and other remote properties for leaks and regularly check service pipes to water troughs.
Before the end of the cold spell all property owners should familiarise themselves with the location of their external stopcock outside their property and know how to turn off their water supply. This can be important if a pipe bursts. Turning off the water promptly as soon as a burst pipe is detected will limit potential damage, particularly from the attic.
If you have problems, your local plumber should be able to locate the blockage and be able to advise on ways of freeing or bypassing the frozen pipe in the short term.
