Protect Your Pipes from Freezing

Protect Your Pipes from Freezing

With the cold winter weather finally upon us, we wanted to give you some tips and advice on how to avoid the big (pipe) freeze. Whether you have an empty property or a tenant in occupation, there are a few simple measures that you can take to avoid frozen or burst pipes.

Burst pipes can occur when your property gets too cold, causing the pipes to freeze overnight then burst in the day when they warm back up. Taps with the most exposure, such as those in gardens, garages and sheds, are most susceptible to freezing. If your pipes burst, they can cause flooding and water damage to your home.

You can typically tell that your pipes are frozen when the water runs very slowly, if at all, from the tap. If this is the case, try using a heat lamp or electrical heat-pad to warm them up and remember to keep the taps open, as running water will help to thaw out the ice quicker.

Top tips to prevent your pipes from freezing…

• Outdoor water supplies, such as taps in the garden will sometimes have a stop valve on the inside of the property. If so, open the tap on the outside and close the valve on the inside to drain the pipe. Remember to make sure that there is no water remaining in the pipe.
• Garden sprinkler systems must be completely drained to avoid freezing. You can also insulate any pipes that are prone to damage, with insulation available from most DIY stores.
• If your property is vacant, make sure that the heating does not go lower than around 12ºC. Although turning the heating down will save money on utility bills, the costs involved from burst pipes are a lot higher.
• If you are unfortunate enough to experience flooding, keep an eye out for black mould, which can be more damaging to the property than flooding itself.

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Source: http://www.lettingaproperty.com