South West Water is urging customers to take simple preventative steps to protect their homes from burst pipes as freezing conditions affect Devon and Cornwall.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across the region, with temperatures forecast to drop sharply over the coming days. Sudden cold snaps can place additional strain on water networks and increase the risk of pipe bursts both on public infrastructure and within private properties.
When water freezes, it expands by nearly 10 per cent, restricting flow through pipes and increasing internal pressure. This can cause pipes to split, even in newer installations, leading to leaks, flooding and damage to homes and gardens once temperatures rise and the ice thaws.
Preparing homes for freezing temperatures
Martin Pipe, Customer Leakage Manager at South West Water, said winter conditions regularly lead to a spike in pipe failures.
“Every winter, we see a high number of bursts both on our network and on our customers’ private pipes due to freezing conditions,” he said. “When this happens, our teams work hard around the clock to keep the taps flowing for our customers.
“Alongside these efforts, there are lots of things our customers can do to prepare their homes for cold weather and prevent leaks and bursts from causing significant damage to their properties.”
South West Water is advising customers to:
- Insulate exposed pipes and water tanks with lagging, particularly in unheated areas such as lofts, garages and gardens
- Locate their internal stop tap and ensure it can be turned off quickly if a leak occurs
- Leave heating on a low setting when away from home
- Ensure central heating boilers are serviced and radiators are bled to improve efficiency
- Keep contact details for a reputable plumber readily available
- Check water meters for signs of leaks, with guidance available at southwestwater.co.uk/leaks
Although buried underground, service pipes can also be affected by freezing temperatures. When the ground freezes and hardens, pipes may shift, increasing the risk of fractures and leaks.
What to do if pipes freeze
If customers experience a loss of water supply, South West Water recommends checking whether neighbours are affected. If neighbouring properties still have water, the issue may be caused by frozen internal pipes.
Customers should check visible pipework for splits but be aware that leaks often only appear once pipes thaw. If a frozen pipe is suspected, the internal stop tap should be turned off.
Heating systems that are already running should be left on, but appliances should not be switched on solely to thaw pipes, as this can cause further damage. Frozen pipes can be thawed gradually using a warm towel or hot water bottle wrapped in fabric.
Once pipes have thawed, the water supply should be restored slowly, checking carefully for leaks before turning water heating appliances back on. If a leak or burst is identified, customers are advised to contact a qualified plumber immediately.
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