Frozen Or Burst Pipes

If you have not managed to prevent your pipes from freezing, don't panic! It's not too late to resolve the situation. If your pipes are frozen but not burst, once they have thawed it is important that you take measure to stop them from freezing again, especially in the areas of the pipe which have already frozen (if you are able to locate those areas).

Thawing frozen pipes

To thaw your pipes, following these instructions:

1. Turn the water supply off at the stopcock
2. Check all of the pipes to ensure none of them have burst
3. Remove all bath plugs and sink plugs
4. Turn your cold taps on and save some of the water for drinking
5. Try to locate the area of pipe which is frozen. Problem areas include any pipes outside, in garages or close to external walls
6. Apply heat from a hot water bottle or hair dryer to the frozen section of the pipe. Do not use an open flame

What to do if your pipes burst

When your pipes freeze, the frozen water inside expands and can cause the toughest of pipes to burst. Here is what you should do if your pipes do burst:

1. Turn the water supply of at the stopcock
2. Remove all bath plugs and sink plugs
3. Turn off your central heating
4. Turn on all of your taps to reduce the risk of flooding
5. Check that any flooding is not near electrical sockets. If it is, then turn off the electricity
6. Soak up all of the spilled water using towels
7. Get a qualified plumber to fix the pipe for you

Useful contacts

Burst pipes can cause real damage to your home and can be quite complex to repair. You will most likely need the help of a professional plumber. Find a plumber in your area with the Water Safe website. If the frozen or burst pipe is outside of your homes boundaries, contact your local water company. You can find your local water company at http://www.water.org.uk/consumers/find-your-supplier.