Leaving faucets dripping and preserving the thermostat on, are simply two issues you are able to do to cease the water pipes in your house from bursting or freezing, based on one professional.

Andy Ellis, a house and backyard specialists at Posh.co.uk, warns owners that in chilly winters, pipes can typically freeze and burst resulting from harsh climate situations particularly if they’re in unheated areas of the house.

He mentioned fixing frozen pipes can value round £200 and depart a residence with out water and heating whereas repairs are made, which might work out costlier than leaving a faucet dripping or a thermostat on very low.

He mentioned: “Pipes freezing over is an issue lots of people can face throughout the winter, particularly with exterior pipes and people that aren’t close to any supply of warmth.”

Ellis added: “Whilst you assume you may be racking up the power invoice by doing this, you’re really doing the alternative.

“Setting your thermostat on a low and constant temperature will be extra environment friendly and it’ll maintain you residence simply heat sufficient to forestall pipes freezing.

“Different issues you are able to do embrace insulating your water pipes earlier than you go and leaving the taps on with a really sluggish, slight drip to maintain a circulate of water via the pipes.”

Set your thermostat

Most of us have our thermostat set round 19°C and plenty of flip them off once they’re away. This could harm your thermostat and burn up extra power over time. Contemplate setting it between 12°C to fifteen°C whilst you’re away as a substitute. This may forestall your pipes from freezing and can save power. 

Insulate pipes

Insulate pipes in your house which might be in unheated areas comparable to attics and exterior partitions. Pipe insulation will forestall them from freezing and even bursting within the chilly climate. They’ll additionally assist scale back warmth loss, making your own home extra environment friendly in the long term. 

Depart taps dripping

In case you’re solely away for a few days, think about leaving the taps dripping ever so barely with chilly water. Even this small motion of water via the pipes can forestall them from freezing. This may increasingly look like a waste of water however a really barely greater water invoice can be cheaper than fixing burst and frozen pipes.

Ask a trusted neighbour 

In case you’re away for an extended time period and don’t need to depart your taps operating, ask a trusted neighbour, member of the family or pal to pop in and rapidly run the faucets each couple of days.

Depart cupboards open

Cupboards can get chilly in the event that they’re on an exterior wall that’s not effectively insulated. Depart kitchen and toilet cupboards open whilst you’re away to permit heat airflow to achieve the pipes.