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Dealing with frozen water pipes

Posted: 05 January 2010

Author: Sharon Coombs-Hoar

With the temperatures dropping and more snow forecast across the UK this week, Sharon Coombs-Hoar from insurance brokers Alan Boswell Group looks at the steps home and property owners can take to minimise the risk of damage caused by freezing water pipes.

Burst water pipes can cause considerable damage to property: not so much from the frost damage to the pipe itself but from the resulting water damage once the pipe thaws. Home insurance and landlords insurance policyholders will generally be insured for such damage but avoiding a claim altogether will mean less hassle and will help keep your premiums down.

Why pipes freeze

If your house gets too cold overnight, water in the pipes may freeze. Then in the day, when the house warms up again, water may flood out and damage your home contents and the fabric of the building. The pipes that are most susceptible to freezing are of course those with the most exposure to the cold, such as to outside taps, garages or sheds. However, pipes which run through attic spaces and basements may also be affected when temperatures plummet. And it's important to remember that hot water pipes can also freeze.

How to prevent your pipes from freezing

• Insulate your loft, the sides of your water tanks and all pipes with good quality lagging. Pay particular attention to the area where the mains water supply pipe enters the home, as this area is especially prone to freezing.
• Open your loft hatch on cold days so that warm air can circulate from rooms below.
• If you're going to be away in the winter, keep the loft hatch open and heating running on constant at a low temperature (about 10 to 12 degrees Celsius). And ask someone to check your home regularly so that any problems can be spotted before too much damage is done.
• If you're going away for a while, you should consider draining down the water systems. Note: certain exclusions apply to home insurances and property owners policies when the home or let-property is left unoccupied for more than a certain amount of time - check your policy for full details.
• Fit new washers to any dripping taps so that they don't freeze and block the pipe.
• Keep your switched heating on continuously at a low temperature during very cold spells and make use of frost protection thermostats on heaters.

What to do if a pipe bursts

If you experience a burst water pipe, take these steps:

• Turn off the main stopcock.
• Contact a reputable plumber or call your home emergency helpline for further advice
• Notify your insurance broker or insurer if there is any resultant damage to your home and you wish to claim on your home insurance or landlords insurance policy.

You will often find your main stopcock under the sink in your kitchen or somewhere close to where the mains water supply enters the house. It is generally a brass valve with a circular handle (as shown in the picture above). Closing this will prevent the flow of any further water from the mains and limit the extent of any damage.