Warning to households over burst water pipes as temperatures drop – it could cost you £1,000s

HOUSEHOLDS are being warned to keep a check on their water pipes as temperatures drop, or risk having to fork out £1,000s.

It might be tempting to leave the heating off to save money on your energy bills over the colder months.

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But chilly weather can cause water pipes to freeze and burst, costing households £1,000s to repair.

Figures from Aviva reveal 6% of Brits have experienced damage to their property due to the issue, but there are ways to avoid it.

Hazel Johnson, director of home and motor claims at Aviva, said: “Frozen and burst pipes are a serious problem and even one burst pipe can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage.”

She added: “Preparing your pipes ahead of cold snaps is vital to protecting your property.”

How to stop pipes from freezing

You’ll want to do what you can to avoid pipes from freezing up in the first place.

That means turning the heating on for an hour or two a day to around 13 degrees Celsius.

Next, and if you have the budget, it’s worth investing in insulation for any exposed pipes, which are usually in the loft or garage.

You can usually buy rolls of insulation from your local DIY store.

We had a quick look online and Screwfix and Toolstation are both selling one metre long rolls for just 99p.

Third, make sure you repair any leaky taps as the excess water can sit in pipes and cause damage if it freezes.

Test each of your taps by turning them off and if they continue to drip, get them fixed.

If you can’t fix the the leaky tap yourself, call in a professional, but bear in mind this will cost you around £130, according to Checkatrade.

Finally, turn your water off if you plan on going away on holiday, or for any extended period of time.

Consider draining the system too as that can prevent any build ups and potential damage while you are away.

What can I do if my pipes freeze?

If it’s too late and your pipes have already frozen, make sure you turn off your stop tap, also known as a stopcock, straight away.

It is usually found under the kitchen sink but might also be in your downstairs bathroom, kitchen cupboards, garages or basement.

You will then need to open all of your taps to drain the system. When the water stops running, turn off all the taps.

When it comes to thawing any pipes, you can use a hair dryer on a low setting or a portable heater.

Holding a hot towel to the frozen area may also help, or you can pick up some specialist electrical heating tape to deal with the blockage.

Always remember, to never use an open flame to try and unfreeze any piping as it could damage the pipe or start a domestic fire.

You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk