When cold weather strikes, particularly when snow is forecast or you awake to frost on the ground, the UK is hit with a plethora of warnings and alerts – ranging from public transport network chaos to ice on the roads, fallen trees, and more. Safe to say, extremely cold weather causes havoc across the UK – and unfortunately, the plumbing system in your home or property is no different.
To help you plan your drain maintenance calendar and schedule a drain unblocking London service for the best time of year, here is a short guide to how the cold weather affects your drainage system and pipe network.
The effect of cold weather on pipes
We often hear talk about how pipes and drainage systems can become blocked with ice when extremely cold weather arrives in the UK, with these kind of blockages not only causing immediate drainage problems but also causing potential long term damage to the pipes themselves.
When water freezes, the ice expands which can increase the pressure and cause cracks and bursts in the pipe once the ice has thawed and water is allowed to flow freely again.
The signs of frozen pipes
With the pipe and drainage network concealed from view, it can be difficult to know if your pipes are frozen until it is too late – however there are some tell-tale signs to look out for, which can indicate that action needs to be taking to protect your drainage system.
A lack of running water is one of the most obvious signs of extensive freezing, with gurgling sounds and smelly water also highlighting something is wrong. The eagle-eyed among you might notice that these signs of frozen pipes are similar to those caused by blockages in drains as a result of collected waste and debris – with a professional company like London Drainage offering support and advice to help minimise damage and protect your home.
<h2> How to keep your pipes clear, clean, and in good working order </h2>
Drain maintenance and unblocking services are regularly called upon all year round, with blockages caused by all manner of debris, waste products, grease, and of course ice during the coldest spells. While maintenance and understanding are integral to ensuring that you do not cause blockages with hair, wet wipes, and other household items, preventing the cold from damaging your pipes requires a little more forethought to insulation and cold weather management – with our advice being to regularly run taps to keep the water moving, use insulation tubing around exposed pipes, and keep your home at a regulated temperature.
Any and all blockages can cause longer term and more expensive issues if not dealt with efficiently and effectively, with our team skilled in not only removing blockages but in repairing small cracks and damage to keep your drainage network in full operation. For more information on drain unblocking or to seek tailored advice, reach out to our team directly.
