Advice from Thames Water with freezing weather conditions
Find out how to avoid leaks by preparing pipes
With the freezing weather conditions forecast to finally thaw next week, Thames Water has issued advice for customers to avoid leaks.
They say you can do this by preparing pipes to defrost slowly, and have shared what to do if they do spring a leak.
Experts say that when water freezes it expands, which can cause cracks and splits to appear in pipes.
Leaks typically appear as the ice thaws and water finds the cracks to escape. Uninsulated pipes leading to outside taps, next to cold internal walls and in unheated lofts and garages are particularly at risk.
Thames Water say that lagging pipes now helps the ice inside to safely melt before causing any damage. They also insist that foam tubing from DIY stores is cheap and simple to install.
They add that locating the inside stop tap now, before it’s too late, will ensure homeowners can stop the water flow as soon as a leak is spotted.
For tips and advice on how to prepare your home for winter: https://www.thameswater.co.uk/help/home-improvements/prepare-your-home-for-winter
Report a leak: https://www.thameswater.co.uk/leak/
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