17/03/2025
It's important to know where your stopcock is ("stop valve" or "stop tap"). Cold weather can be pretty with snowflakes and icicles, but it can play havoc with your plumbing.
Burst pipes cause leaks when ice thaws. When water freezes, it expands — from being liquid, it forms a crystalline structure that takes up more space. That's why ice floats in a drink, rather than sinking to the bottom.
How can you tell if your pipes are starting to freeze?
1. If water pressure is reduced, and there's only a trickle from the taps.
2. A "gurgling" sound as tiny icebergs move along in the pipes.
3. If water pipes are starting to expand, that's a warning of ice forming. You might even see small cracks.
4. Frost or condensation on water pipes, showing the temperature is dropping; condensation forms from water in the air — like dew on the grass on a chilly morning.
What can you do if you suspect frozen pipes?
1. Shut off the water supply. This is why it is important to know where the stopcock is, before you need it! This will help stop flooding when it thaws. The stopcock might be under the kitchen sink.
2. Use a hairdryer to warm small areas to prevent pipes freezing.
3. Call your plumber for help if you haven't been able to thaw the pipes or the pipes have burst.
Top tip: test the stopcock once a month: clockwise to turn off.
Remember from the stopcock in the street to your home is your responsibility. From the stopcock to the water main is the responsibility of the water company.
