Winter can be the most challenging season for maintaining your property’s drains.
With freezing temperatures, heavy rainfall, and ice damage, preparing your drains is essential to prevent frozen pipes and the severe damage they can cause.
If you’re unsure where your drains are, our guide on where to find the drains on your property will help you locate them.
If you're a homeowner or a business owner, you must know how to keep your external drains and water pipes from freezing.
If you don’t take the right precautions, the risk of frozen and burst pipes, cracks, and blockages will increase. These issues can lead to flooding and costly property damage.
To help you avoid these problems, we have created this Winter Drainage Guide, covering the steps you can take to protect your drainage system from winter’s harsh conditions.
Water expands as it freezes. This simple rule can cause significant problems when water is trapped inside pipes or water tanks. The freezing water creates pressure that can damage or even burst pipes.
When cold weather hits, exposed pipes are at high risk of freezing. The ice inside these pipes can block water flow, causing flooding.
In the worst case, the pressure from the ice can crack or burst pipes, leading to costly repairs.
The situation worsens with increased rain and snow in winter, which can clog pipes with leaves, branches, and debris.
If you don’t prepare your pipes and drains properly for winter, your property could suffer severe water damage when the weather is at its worst.
Taking precautions against winter weather should be a top priority for any home or business ahead of the harsh winter weather, but is particularly essential for properties with:
Outdoor taps
Swimming pool houses
Water sprinkler apparatus
Exposed pipes in areas of the property that are not heated, such as garages, outhouses and lofts
You can protect your pipes from freezing or bursting this winter by taking the following steps.
Check your property for leaks or drips. Even small leaks can waste water and increase the risk of pipes freezing, so we recommend that you repair them before the cold sets in.
Leaks can often be repaired using a patch kit. However, hiring a professional is generally more straightforward and safer, especially if the affected pipes are part of your heating or water supply.
Drain outdoor taps, swimming pool hoses, or water sprinklers that will not be used during winter.
You can close the main water valve to drain them and let the water run out.
You must also avoid using antifreeze, as it can damage the pipes.
Insulation is one of the most effective ways to prevent your outdoor pipes from freezing.
For smaller pipes, you can quickly wrap exposed pipes with insulation materials like polyethylene or heat tape.
Insulating your pipes not only helps to prevent freezing but also helps to reduce your energy bills.
Clean your drains to remove any leaves, mud, or debris.
This will help prevent blockages that could freeze your pipes and cause damage.
Installing a non-freeze drain protector can also help to stop debris from entering.
If you're worried about frozen pipes, leave your heating running on low.
A steady temperature will help to prevent your pipes from freezing.
Although it might increase your energy bill slightly, it’s far cheaper than repairing burst pipes.
Check for small gaps or cracks around doors, windows, and walls, especially in unheated areas like garages or attics. These cold spots can cause nearby pipes to freeze.
Seal any draughts with insulation or caulking to prevent the cold from affecting your pipes.
One of the best ways to ensure your pipes are winter-ready is by arranging a professional drain inspection.
Experts can check for leaks, blockages, and damage and clean your drains to ensure everything is in optimal condition.
Follow these winter drainage tips to avoid expensive repairs and damage caused by frozen pipes.
Taking a vigilant approach to protecting your property will ensure you have no regrets during the chilliest time of the year.
Arranging a professional drain inspection is the easiest way to ensure that you have properly prepared for all of winter's risks.
By calling our expert drain surveyors, you can establish whether your pipes have any pre-existing leaks, damage, or blockages and ensure they have been adequately cleaned to restore them to the best possible working condition.
Call us anytime on 0800 526 488 or use our online enquiry form to discuss your drain, septic tank, or sewer requirements.