Frozen pipes cause winter disaster

20/12/11

By Emma McFarnon

As temperatures plummet it's not just your home you need to keep warm - it's your pipes too.

New research from the London Fire Brigade reveals that on December 18 last year firefighters were called to attend an average of one flooded house every 12 minutes. This is because pipes had frozen, causing the water to expand and pipes to burst.

Fire crews had to deal with more than 2,600 floods in people's homes last year, when temperatures were the coldest since 1981. But firefighters warn this winter disaster can be easily avoided.

Jim Knighton, London Fire Brigade's Assistant Commissioner for Operational Procedures, said: "Our firefighters are ready to respond to any flooding call outs we get but by that stage it's often too late and the damage has been done."

London Fire Brigade is urging households to give their pipes a health-check before unwinding for Christmas. It suggests you insulate your loft and the sides of your water tanks, as well as all your pipes.

You should open the loft trap door on cold days to let heat in, and if you're away on holiday ask a friend or relative to drop by and check your pipes haven't burst or frozen. Putting washers on dripping taps is also vital, because if the water freezes it will block the pipes.