by Tim Harry

Created on: November 27, 2009   Last Updated: July 11, 2010

Frozen pipes can be the cause of a great deal of damage and devastation to the home, and is a problem faced by many homes when the weather gets colder. The use of plastic pipes has helped to reduce this risk to a small degree, but even so, as the temperature drops pipes can freeze, and if the worst happens, it is important to know how to thaw frozen pipes safely.

The problems caused by frozen pipes

Water in pipes will expand when the water freezes; at best this could mean no running water, at worst it could lead to a lot of money being spent to rectify the damage caused. As the water in the pipes expands as it freezes, so the pipes also try to expand to accommodate, this though puts pressure on joints especially, often causing them to burst. If the water is frozen then it is not a huge issue but if the burst pipe is not noticed when the water starts to flow again water will pour everywhere. This flooding could well require a plumber to be called out, and claims made on the home insurance.

Preventing frozen pipes

As with any form of home plumbing mishaps, prevention is certainly a lot easier and cheaper than the cure. Pipes should be inspected regularly, at least once a year, preferably before winter arrives. The brickwork near to pipes though also needs to be inspected, and any holes need to be blocked up. If outside air is allowed near to pipes then it is more likely that pipes will freeze. Pipes are often situated in cold zones of the house, including the loft, and next to outside walls.

The best method of prevent pipes from freezing is to insulate them. Most DIY stores now sell insulation designed for pipes, and in most cases is just a case of slipping the insulation over the pipe. Insulation helps to prevent cold air from reaching pipes, and thus helps to prevent pipes from freezing.

Safely thawing frozen pipes

If it is thought that pipes have become frozen then the first thing to do is to turn off the water supply, something normally done through the stopcock. It might prove to be an unnecessary step but if the pipes or joints have split then it could prevent flooding. A thorough inspection of the pipes should then follow, to see if there are any obvious signs of damage, and containers should be placed under any located issues. Taps should then be opened to allow water out of the pipes as it hopefully melts.

The safest method for thawing frozen pipes is to allow the gradual warming up of the pipes. It is quite possible that this

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