Winter is on its way, and with that comes a few tasks for homeowners. The colder weather can lead to issues in your home, so you’ll need to do a few routine inspections to keep any issues at bay. Frozen pipes can occur when the temperatures drop below zero, so make sure you stay alert and make yourself aware of the following signs.
How To Spot A Frozen Pipe
Unless you’re able to poke your head around all your pipes and plumbing, it’s unlikely you’ll spot a frozen pipe at a glance. There are a few telltale signs that are good indicators that your plumbing has reached frozen conditions.
- The water in your home has suddenly stopped flowing.
- Condensation on your outdoor pipes.
- Sewage smells in the home.
- Gurgling or other loud noises when you turn the heating on.
If you spot any of these during the winter, there’s a chance that you could be dealing with a frozen pipe.
What Happens To Frozen Pipes?
When the fluid inside your pipes freezes, they expand. This expansion often leads to cracked and burst pipes. If you spot a frozen pipe before this happens, it’s important that you defrost it carefully to avoid putting it into shock – which can also cause damage. The best thing to do is to pour warm water over the pipe, or place a hot water bottle on it.
Before you work on defrosting the pipe, ensure that the water supply is turned off at the stop tap. Check whether the pipe has burst or cracked first. Seek out a plumber if you spot any damage.
Preventing Your Pipes From Freezing
If this is a problem that occurs often in your home, you can take some prevention measures. Your pipes can be insulated with lagging, which isn’t very expensive at all. You can even fit it yourself. Simply wrap it around any exposed pipes that are in the coldest parts of your home. It’s also a good idea to pop the heating on when it reaches freezing temperatures, even if you’re away for extended periods of time. Failing that, you can shut the water off at the mains if you know you’ll be away for a while.
To Fix Problems Cause By Frozen Pipes, Choose Aluna Plumbing
Our team of plumbers can repair damage caused by frozen pipes and fit insulation to ensure you won’t have issues in future. To book a visit from one of our Bristol-based plumbers, get in touch with us today.
