Whilst the UK has been enjoying mild weather, experts are warning households to get ready for freezing weather.
With November in full swing, it’s only a matter of time until temperatures plummet. Weather maps from WXCharts show an Arctic blast hitting central Scotland on November 20 and later becoming more widespread.
Burst pipes are a huge inconvenience and an eye-watering bill. According to the Association of British Insurers, they can take around £9,300 to fix. To get ahead of the problem, The Underfloor Heating Store has shared three simple ways to prevent your heating pipes from freezing this winter.
How to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting
Use this 94p hack to avoid pipes freezing
Pipe insulation starts from 94, according to the pros. Otherwise, you can do a DIY job yourself with insulation and something like duct tape or cable ties to secure it.
“Firstly, ensuring your heating pipes are insulated can help keep the water within your pipes warmer, even if the heating isn’t on. Prices for insulation can start from as little as 94p, depending on the size of your pipes and the amount of insulation you need.
It’s easy to insulate pipes yourself, too. Simply measure the pipes, cut the insulation to the required size and secure around the pipe with duct tape or cable ties. Just ensure your water is turned off and pipes are cool when you insulate them.”
Use your thermostat if you go away this winter
Even if you’re not home, it’s important to keep the heating on for just an hour or less every day. This ensures that water doesn’t drop below freezing and prevents your pipes from bursting.
“Secondly, scheduling your heating to come on when you know the weather temperature is going to drop below freezing will prevent your pipes from freezing. This is especially useful if you are planning on going away on holiday over the winter period to avoid coming home to frozen or burst pipes.
Set your thermostat to come on for around 30 minutes to 1 hour in the morning and the same at night when the temperatures are expected to drop below freezing. This will help to keep heat circulating through your pipes and allow the water within the pipes to keep warm enough to avoid freezing.”
Seal up any exterior or interior cracks for as little as £5
“Finally, if you notice any cracks to your home’s exterior or interior, we would always advise to get these sealed up. This will ensure that no unnecessary cold air can get through to your indoor pipes, helping to retain heat within your home and keep your pipes at a reasonable temperature.
Floor sealant can be purchased for around £5 and works as a draught proofer for rooms and can be used on original flooring, laminate or tiles. You can also buy sealant for other interior features, such as door frames and skirting boards and can use expanding foam for external cracks on your external features.”