Met Office issues warning to homeowners amid cold weather
Due to the persistent cold, the forecaster has now advised homeowners what to do in the event of pipes freezing.
With temperatures plummeting to below zero in the UK this week, the chance of pipes freezing and causing issues to homeowners during the cold snap has increased.
This week has seen some light dusting of snow, while temperatures dropped as low as -1C in Birmingham, 0C in Glasgow and 1C in London overnight on Monday. The Met Office said the cold temperatures are set to remain this week, with parts of the country dropping to as low as 0C.
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Due to the persistent cold, the forecaster has now advised homeowners what to do in the event of pipes freezing. They say that the inside stop tap – usually located under the kitchen sink – should be turned off immediately, before turning on all taps to drain the system as quickly as possible, saving some water in buckets for flushing toilets and washing hands. Once the water stops running, all taps should be turned off.
Frozen pipes can then be thawed out, however the Met Office say that this should be done slowly and with hot water bottles or towels soaked in hot water. Direct heat – such as a naked flame or a blowtorch – can cause permanent damage to the pipes and even a fire in the home and therefore should not be used. With the stop tap still off, nearby cold taps should be turned on as this relieves pressure on the frozen pipe.
Another issue the Met Office highlighted is that of burst pipes – which can happen while they are thawing. The forecaster advised turning off the stop tap and the boiler and opening all taps to drain the system quickly, again saving some water in buckets if possible. Once the water has stopped running, taps should be turned off and you should call a plumber to fix the issue.
Ideal temperature to heat your home – and other tips to stay warm
January has started off with a cold snap and higher energy bills – but there are some simple tips to stay warm during the winter months.
It may be tempting to turn up the dial on the thermostat in your home and leave it on so that your home stays heated throughout the day. But setting the temperature too high is not actually advised.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), homes should be heated to 18C in the winter, while the Energy Saving Trust recommends the temperature being anything between 18C and 21C. Safe and dangerous temperatures in the home also vary for the very young, the elderly and the clinically vulnerable.
Anything above 24C can increase the chance of strokes or heart attack for the elderly, while those living in a home where temperatures are below 12 increases the risk of hypothermia. Newborn babies should sleep in rooms heated between 16C and 20C to avoid the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
To maintain the warmer temperatures in your home, you should only open windows for up to 15 minutes a day if trying to cut mould. You can also close curtains or blinds at night or when not at home will help keep temperatures in as it will get colder at night.
You should also try not to keep heating on when not at home unless temperatures drop to around freezing to avoid the chance of water freezing in pipes. Temperatures should be set to at least 7C when not at home, according to British Gas.
People living in homes without carpets should perhaps think about buying rugs to improve insulation, while placing tin foil behind your radiator will reflect the heat – pushing it back into the room and heating it up faster. However, take care to wrap the foil around card and cover it completely to avoid a risk of fire.
Another simple tip is to leave the door of ovens open after you have finished cooking. They can take some time to cool down and opening the door will allow the residual heat to spread around your kitchen, keeping it warm. Draft excluders can also plug the gaps at the bottom of doors, keeping the heat in rooms for longer periods.
