Stopping pipes from freezing this winter

Before the cold comes

Uisce Éireann’s winter advice:

• Lag pipes and tanks, especially in the attic, the garage and outside walls.
• Keep the heating on for longer at a lower setting, even when you’re away.
• Now and again, open the doors to rooms you don’t heat so warm air gets in.
• Fix small drips. Even a slow leak can freeze and block a pipe.
• Stop draughts near pipes. Cold air from outside can freeze a pipe indoors.

Don’t leave taps running to stop pipes freezing. It doesn’t reliably work, and it drains the local supply for everyone.

If a pipe has frozen

1. Turn off the water at the stopcock.
2. Find the frozen pipe: it’s usually one without lagging that feels colder than the rest.
3. If the pipe and its fittings aren’t cracked, warm it gently with a hairdryer on its lowest setting, starting at the end nearest the tap.

Never use a blowtorch or any flame. Don’t try to thaw it by turning on the immersion or the central heating either.

If the pipe has split, treat it as a burst pipe and ring Scott.