How to avoid freezing pipes and water damage in severe frosts
Freezing of pipes usually starts at the edges of the pipe and slowly progresses inwards until the pipe is frozen solid. As the weather cools, the ice expands thermally, causing the pipe to crack. In severe frosts, the frozen pipe may already be damaged, but the ice keeps the pipe tight. When the ice melts, the water damage is already complete.
The frost will continue to advance in the structures even after the rains have subsided. Even if the air gets warmer, the structures do not have time to warm up and the drop in indoor air temperature also contributes to the freezing of pipes. Most freezing is caused by carelessness, which is why it is essential to prevent pipes from freezing. Pipes should be placed in the right places in the structure, carefully insulated and, in high-risk areas, electrically operated defrosting solutions should be used.
Instructions to prevent pipes from freezing:
1. Keep the water meter above 15 degrees Celsius
The room where the water meter is located should be warm enough not to freeze. The temperature can also be raised by an additional radiator.
2. Leave all taps to drain slowly
The water circulating in the pipes prevents them from freezing. It is also a good idea to flush the toilet regularly. It is better to pay a little more on your water bill, as it is much cheaper than freezing pipes.
3. Isolate risky pipes
The water pipe may run too close to the ground. It's a good idea to pile snow or polystyrene sheets on top of these areas for insulation. Other risky pipes should also be well insulated.
4. Close windows and doors
In particular, it is important to close and insulate gaps in the subfloor to prevent frost from freezing the structures. Remember to keep all doors and windows open as little as possible. This will also save on heating costs.
5. Install the electrical resistance in the water pipe
You can order a plumber to install an electrical resistance in the water pipe to keep it melted. The cable should not be installed in the whole pipework, but, for example, in the parts that come out of the building. A cable can also be laid around the drains in the basement.
Preventing pipes from freezing is of paramount importance, but by the time the water stops coming out of the tap, it is already too late to prevent freezing. A water pipe left to thaw will expand thermally as it thaws and can cause pipe breakage and water damage. Thawing the pipes prevents damage and maintains the functionality of the plumbing system.
It is best to leave the thawing of pipes to a professional. He or she will melt the pipes correctly and minimise any damage. A correctly installed water pipe will not cause problems, so a frozen pipe is either incorrectly installed or the environmental conditions have changed since installation. Pipes that have caused problems should be located, the cause of the problems corrected and problems prevented from recurring. For example, pipes should be placed inside buildings in areas where the temperature remains above zero or in the ground below the frost line. Talk to your plumber about your problem and try to locate the problem so it can be fixed before the next frost.
If, despite your precautions, your water pipe freezes, please contact the 24 Center emergency service on 0100 2470 and we will come to fix the situation.