Signs a pipe is frozen
- A tap gives no water or just a trickle in very cold weather.
- The toilet will not refill.
- Frost on a pipe, or a pipe that feels icy.
- Your outside condensate or overflow pipe has ice in it.
Thawing step by step
- Turn off the stopcock in case the pipe has split.
- Open the tap the pipe feeds so melting water can escape.
- Warm the pipe slowly, starting nearest the tap and moving back.
- Use a hairdryer on low, a hot water bottle or towels soaked in warm water.
- When water flows, turn the stopcock back on slowly and check carefully for leaks.
Pro tip: Water expands when it freezes. That is what splits pipes and fittings — often the split only leaks once the ice melts, so watch closely.
Never do this
- Use a blowtorch or open flame — fire risk and it can damage joints.
- Pour boiling water on plastic pipes or fittings.
- Leave a heater unattended in a loft.
Prevent frozen pipes
- Lag pipes in lofts, garages and under floors with foam lagging.
- Turn off and drain outside taps for winter using the isolation valve inside.
- Fit an insulated cover on the outside tap.
- Keep a low heat on during freezing nights.
