It looks like the coming week will be freezing cold: we’re looking forward to having fun in the snow and on ice! Are you so Dutch that you’re going to get your skates or sled from the shed, attic or cellar? Then check the taps and water pipes while you’re there! MrFix gives you tips to prevent them from freezing. And tips for when they do burst!
When water freezes, it expands: the forces involved are so strong that they can even destroy the solid metal of water pipes, taps and water meters. Let’s start with our top tips for preventing them from freezing:
- Check not only water pipes and taps, but also the water meter and the main valve. You should also empty the sink of any toilet in a cold place
- Keep the temperature in rooms with water pipes and taps above 14° Celsius (that’s 57° Fahrenheit). Always leave the heating on, even if it is only at 14°
- Close and drain pipes in rooms where the temperature is below 14°, as well as any outside faucet
- If this is not possible, insulate them with special insulation material for pipes or even old blankets and clothes
- Order electrical heating tape now and wrap it around the most vulnerable parts of the pipes
What if things go wrong and a pipe or tap does freeze? Don’t panic, MrFix has collected tips from this interview (in Dutch, sorry) of regional water utility Waterleiding Maatschappij Drenthe (WMD) by RTV Drenthe:
- To be on the safe side, first turn off the main water valve. But first fill a bottle, bucket and/or kettle with some backup water
- Check the frozen pipe for cracks. If the pipe is not cracked you can warm it up, for example with a fan heater and/or hair dryer
- If it is cracked, the WMD recommends you turn off the main valve immediately (MrFix advises you to do this first anyway) and then requesting a plumber: “That’s not what the WMD is for”. MrFix can get you a plumber quickly, if you wish
- Your home contents insurance will often cover the costs of the repair and any water damage