Burst pipes can lead to leaks and costly flooding in your property, but there are warning signs before a home disaster occurs.
British Gas advised people who have central heating to listen out for “gurgling sounds” when the heating is on.
Other warning signs of pipes that could burst any moment include a trickle of water coming out of the taps, a clogged sink, and a slow-flushing toilet.
Which? UK advised holiday-goers to do a simple radiator hack to prevent pipes from freezing while they’re away.
To ensure you don’t return from a holiday facing water damage and no heating, Which? UK recommended a simple radiator hack that only takes “one second” to do.
You should set the radiator valve to the “frost sign when your heating is on”.
Which? UK explained: “This will allow just enough water into the radiator to keep the room above seven degrees so your pipes don’t freeze.”
British Gas warned that “frozen pipes are a big problem”, so it’s worthwhile knowing what to do if you spot the warning signs of a very cold pipe.
People who own a modern condensing boiler are at risk of having a condensate pipe that is freezing over.
“This will be a plastic one that comes out of your boiler,” said British Gas. “Find where it goes outside to see if it’s frosted over.”
To thaw the pipe, you will need to slowly pour hot (but never boiling) water on top of it and place a hot water bottle over it to help melt away the frost.
How do pipes freeze?
When temperatures drop below zero degrees, the water inside the pipes can freeze if it’s not insulated properly.
Water expands as it freezes, which means pressure can build up against the pipes, causing them to buckle and split.
This is why insulating pipes is key, with hardware stores like Screwfix selling pipe insulation for as cheap as 99p.
Help! I’ve found a burst pipe
First, locate the stopcock valve to shut off the water supply and get in contact with a plumber.
Then use old towels to help soak up the water from the burst pipe while you wait for a plumber to arrive. Water.org.uk has an up-to-date list of registered emergency plumbers that are nearest to you.
