There are lots of simple things you can do to protect your home in the winter.
What to do if you think your pipes are frozen?
- If you have no water, check whether the problem is affecting a couple of your neighbours before contacting United Utilities. A problem with the mains supply will affect large numbers of people, so if only you or a couple of your neighbours are affected the most likely cause is your own frozen water pipes.
- Thawing your pipes can take some time but it is possible to help yourself. Here's how. First, locate your main stop tap. It is usually under the kitchen sink or in a utility room closest to where the water supply enters your property.
- Apply a hot water bottle to the pipe or use a hairdryer in short bursts. Please note you should never use a naked flame near the pipes.
- If you manage to thaw your pipes, you must insulate them with pipe lagging (or blankets as a temporary solution) to stop them freezing again. Tanks should also be lagged, but leave a space below for warm air to circulate.
- Keep the number of a good plumber handy. If your pipes burst, turn off your central heating and water before calling a plumber. Remember that you will need your house checking by a qualified electrician.
How to avoid your pipes from freezing and to be prepared
- Check that you can turn off the inside stop valve in an emergency. You will usually find it under the kitchen sink.
- Leave the heating on low if you are going away for a few days over Christmas.
- Ensure your loft insulation is in good condition and cover the pipework with it where possible with pipe lagging (or blankets as a temporary solution). Tanks should also be lagged, but leave a space below for warm air to circulate.
- Leave the loft entrance door open to allow warm air to circulate.
- Fix dripping taps and overflows. Ice build ups can cause blockages.
- Keep the number of a good plumber handy.