How to Prevent Burst or Frozen Pipes

As the winter weather sets in, it is not uncommon for temperatures to fall below freezing. This is when there is a risk of standing water becoming frozen, including the water inside our pipes and heating systems.

When ice forms inside a pipe, the frozen water increases in volume by 9%. This expansion results in an increased pressure against the inside walls of the pipe, which can then cause it to crack or burst.

Prevention

Boilers should not be turned off in the colder months. Most modern boilers have an anti-freeze function, but in the absence of this setting, then room thermostats should be set to 10 degrees on a 24 hour basis.

If your home is going to be empty over the winter, then ensure that it is cut off from the water supply, and the system is thoroughly drained down.

Ensuring that your pipes and water tank are insulated, is one of the simplest, cheapest ways of protecting your system. Be sure that there are no gaps along valves or connections, and take care to insulate the condensate pipe for a combi-boiler system. Ensure that you seek specialist advice, and only use a suitable, high quality insulation material.

Suppliers

Specialist stockists such as //www.meterbox.co.uk/pipe-protectors supply a wide variety of pipe protectors, in accordance with your needs.

Whether you are looking for commercial, domestic, or industrial standard pipe protectors, there is a product to suit, delivering a long-lasting and cost-effective means of ensuring that your pipes are protected this winter.