The latest cold weather snap has already caused chaos, causing schools to close, power cuts and treacherous driving conditions and tonight things are likely to get a whole lot worse. Temperatures in some parts of the UK are set to drop to a bone-numbing -9C after the night before had already been recorded as the coldest of the season so far.
The Met Office has issued new yellow weather warnings for ice, covering parts of south-west and eastern England, Scotland and west Wales. Hundreds of homes remain without power, but aside from losing electricity, there is one thing that householders dread even more than being plunged into darkness when the cold weather strikes – burst pipes.
In a cold snap like tonight the water inside them can freeze and expand. This expansion applies force on the pipe walls. As a result, a serious problem like frozen pipes can occur. Floors and walls will be ruined by letting water out. Experts agree that burst pipes are one of the costliest and inconvenient home plumbing solutions in cold weather and pipes that are in unheated areas or exposed on the exterior walls are specifically susceptible. But there is one simple trick that might just save you from this winter nightmare.
When cold weather hits, one of the easiest ways to protect your home is to open your kitchen cabinets. Many homeowners don’t realise that opening cabinet doors allows warm air from your heating system. It helps to circulate around the water pipes.
These pipes are located under sinks and along exterior walls. It helps prevent frozen pipes and costly burst pipes throughout severe winters. Frozen pipes can be a significant expense in costly repairs and huge hassle.
US kitchen installation firm Dr. Cabinet explains the importance of keeping cupboards open during freezing temperatures and shares expert tips, including pipe insulation, faucet drip, and other preventive measures to keep your home safe this winter.
They explain: “Opening cabinet doors lets warm air circulate with freedom. This air circulates around the pipes located inside your kitchen or bathroom. Many water pipes run along exterior walls or inside base cabinets, which are prone to cold drafts. When cabinets open, heat can reach the pipes. It reduces the risk of frozen pipes.”
“This helps to prevent frozen pipes in unheated areas. If you leave cabinets open during the winter months or even the winter long lets air circulation around the pipes. There’re some other measures like letting taps drain and insulating exposed pipes. This method lowers the chance of cold-weather damage with significance.”
However they do warn that in extremely cold temperatures, opening your kitchen cupboards may not be enough. They suggest you complement this with pipe insulation using foam rubber or fibreglass sleeves, applying heat tape on vulnerable metal pipes and filling specific spaces or cracks around pipes on exterior walls. These combined methods build a strong guard against pipe freezing and bursting.
A gentle tap drip keeps water moving through your pipes and so reduces the chance of freezing. This technique works well during hard freezes. It is highly recommended by plumbing pros and Dr. Cabinet experts alike. Letting your water flow slowly through taps can save you from costly damage caused by frozen or burst pipes.
Meanwhile, tonight residents in Scotland can expect temperatures to fall to -9C tonight. However, there is some respite from the chill over the weekend, with temperatures across most of the UK set to rise slightly, giving way to more unsettled conditions.
