What to do if your water pipes freeze or your drains flood

Watch out there’s an ice bomb on its way!

Weather forecasters like to make their predictions sound dramatic – but there is a strong chance of ice and snow blasting large areas of the UK in the weekend before Christmas.

The worst of the winter weather is also likely to be ahead of us as January and February traditionally bring storms, with lots of heavy rain and winter freezes.

Plummeting temperatures bring with them two forms of potential household emergencies involving water – defective drains and freezing water pipes.

Stopping winter weather threats

Here is the good news: there is still time to take simple steps to prevent problems occurring and, if the worst does not happen this weekend, to plan to stop winter weather threatening homes in the New Year.

Catalyst Services UK delivers drainage, water supply pipe, leak detection and home emergency services for some of the UK’s largest insurance companies, and for property managers.

Its experts have drawn up advice on how to prevent heavy rain, ice and snow causing problems – and potentially ruining your festive holiday – and what to do if the worst happens.

Drain maintenance checks

Drains are out of sight and out of mind. But we know it when things go wrong. These simple checks followed up by preventative maintenance can head off these winter problems.

• Water gullies are gratings where rain downpipes enter the ground around properties. Make sure they are not blocked by leaves and debris, which can allow water to pool on the surface;
• Likewise, check that downpipes are not blocked and leaking. If they are, water can leak into walls, leading to damp problems;
• Check that drains are free flowing – slow draining of sinks and toilets may be a sign of a blockage, which could eventually lead to dirty water flooding your home;
• Over the Christmas period, when home drains get heavy usage, take extra care not dispose of food waste of fats down sinks, or wet wipes down toilets, as this can quickly cause blockages;

If your checks lead you to believing your drains are blocked, seek advice from a reputable drainage specialist, like Catalyst. It is possible that the problems are caused by defective drains, which need to be repaired by a drainage contractor.

Water pipe ice blockages

Problems caused by freezing weather are most commonly associated with water pipes, which are most likely to fail when temperatures drop.

Water expands by nearly 10% when it freezes, causing pipes to block and sometimes burst. The Association of British Insurers figures show a burst pipe will cost an average of £8,800 to fix, so it’s a problem worth avoiding.

How to get water pipes ready for a winter freeze

Simple checks can head off many water supply pipe problems before they occur.

• Insulate pipes and tanks, especially in unheated areas like lofts, garages or gardens, as well as water taps [Safety tip: only go into a loft if you are physically able to];
• Check for dripping taps – as these are more likely to freeze, allowing ice to form inside pipes as well;
• Also check for water leaks in pipes. There may be tell-tale small damp patches or stains around pipes or in walls and ceilings, indicating a very slow or intermittent leak;
• Make sure you know where your inside stop tap is (it is often under the kitchen sink or in a utility room where the pipework enters your property) and that it can be turned off, if a leak occurs;
• Do the same for your electricity supply, as you may need to turn off your power if the leak is close to electrical equipment, for example a boiler;
• If you can, leave the heating on low at night and if you go away;
• Check that your central heating boiler has been serviced and is in good working order.

Frozen water pipes – what do to in an emergency

• If you suddenly lose your water supply, ask your neighbours if they have lost theirs too. If they have, there is a problem with your pipes and they may be blocked with ice;
• Check your pipes for signs of damage: a water leak is not likely to happen until the ice in the pipe has thawed;
• Turn off the water supply using the internal stop tap;
• Do not turn on water heating appliances to try to thaw frozen pipes as this could cause damage;
• Drain the cold water system by flushing the toilet and opening cold taps over sinks and baths;
• If you don’t find any damage, turn on all the taps and thaw the frozen pipe using a warm towel or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel – don’t use boiling water;
• When the pipes have thawed and, if there is no sign of a leak or damage, turn off the taps and gradually turn on the water supply using the stop tap;
• Recheck the pipes when they are under full pressure, looking for signs of damage or a leak, then switch on water heating appliances again.

Boiler breakdowns in cold weather

Central heating boilers can struggle in cold weather due to coping with extremely cold water or being left on for longer.

They can also be affected by freezing pipes. If you have a condensing boiler, the condensate pipe is most likely to be the culprit. This is a plastic pipe that comes out of your boiler. It may be frozen where it goes outside.

Repair and maintenance of heating boilers should only be carried out by a qualified and certified technical or engineer. So, make sure you have the right specialist to call on when things go wrong.

Getting the right help – what to do

If you have a home maintenance service agreement, check to see if it covers winter weather problems. Your insurance policy may also cover asset repairs, but some do not.

If your property has suffered flood damage, again your first option should be to check your home insurance policy and, if the issue is covered, contact your insurance provider for assistance.

Where you do not have a home maintenance service, or you insurance policy does not cover the winter weather emergency and related damage it has caused, call Catalyst.

We have a national network of experienced and skilled tradespeople who can assist with:

• Blocked and defective drains;
• Defective water supply pipes;
• Detecting water leaks;
• Removing internal floodwater;
• Repairing flood damage;
• And repairing faulty boiler systems.

We work with insurance companies and loss adjusters and property managers to keep homes and business properties safe and to respond quickly to maintenance emergencies.

Telephone: 0333 004 8008

Email: [email protected].