I’m a plumber – how to stop pipes freezing this winter and save £100s
A PLUMBER has shared his top tips to prevent your pipes from freezing this winter to help you avoid costly repairs.
Vijay Singh, works for Heatflow Plumbing in London, has revealed what steps households should take to keep their water running smoothly.
Chilling temperatures have gripped the country, meaning there is a greater risk that your pipes could freeze this winter.
Frozen pipes can result in a water blockage and can even burst, creating a leak that could damage your home.
But there are things you can do to stop the water in your pipes freezing over.
Vinjay, who is also a member of Checkatrade, shared his top tips for preventing your pipes from freezing this winter.
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Most plumbers charge a call-out fee, which averages £270 for the day, according to Checkatrade.
Some may also offer a flat rate of around £300 for leaking pipe repairs.
And with the cost of living leaving budgets squeezed, these simple checks could have to save you a hefty sum.
Insulate your pipes
The top tip is to protect your pipes from plummeting temperatures by keeping them insulated.
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You can buy insulation materials to wrap around your pipes yourself - it's stocked at most DIY stores.
The extra layer should prevent your pipes getting too chilly.
Vijay said: "You can work to prevent pipes freezing by insulating pipework outside, and where possible, insulate all the way to the drain."
Old vs new
Vijay says older and smaller pipes are more likely to freeze.
This is because they have generally seen more wear and tear, and may not be able to withstand the pressure of expanding ice.
Making sure that you have newer and wider pipes can help to prevent this from happening.
Vijay says the cost of new pipes can vary to between £120 and £300.
Although this may seem pricey, it could save you money on costly call out fees in the long run.
Run the taps
Another suggestion is to regularly turn your taps on while you're at home.
You don't have to run them for long, but the water won't be able to freeze if it's moving, experts at Checkatrade say.
If you're on a water metre, make sure you keep an eye on your usage if you follow this advice.
More tips to prevent your pipes from freezing
Fixing any pre-existing leaks before the winter months start will make it less likely that you'll need to fork out for costly repairs.
If you're going away for long periods over winter, draining your system entirely will stop water collecting and freezing.
You may also want to think about keep your house at a certain temperature while you're on holiday.
Leaving the heating on when you're not home might seem like a waste of money - but it could be cheaper and less hassle than repairing damage caused by a burst pipe.
We recently explained here how you can calculate how much it costs to leave your heating on.
But the overall cost of running your central heating will of course, depend on a number of factors, such as the type of boiler you have.
Make sure you work out first if you can afford to do this, as you don't want to leave yourself short.
Pipes you don't see everyday may also need attention in order to prevent problems this winter.
Pipes that are outside or in the loft actually need to be insulated as a priority due to the cooler temperatures.
Meanwhile, we spoke to a gas engineer who revealed an easy settings mistake is adding £520 to your yearly energy bills.
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Plus, a plumber has revealed how a little-known trick to use when running your taps could help you cut costs.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]