As West Wales wakes up to an icy January morning, leading rural insurer NFU Mutual is warning people to beware of the signs of frozen pipes and take steps to avoid repair bills which can run up to thousands – and sometimes tens of thousands – of pounds’ worth of damage.

After weeks of generally warmer weather, a period of cold weather is expected throughout this week. Extreme cold weather greatly increasing the chance of water in pipes around the home freezing. When the water in pipes freezes, it expands, causing the pressure inside the pipe to build up. This can often cause the pipe to split when it thaws, resulting in significant damage to the home.

Andrew Chalk, home insurance specialist at NFU Mutual, said:

“In recent weeks, homeowners have rightly been tuned in to the potential dangers of storms and flooding, but unfortunately the colder weather brings a new and different risk.

“We know from experience that frozen can cause tens of thousands of pounds’ worth of damage, apparently coming on suddenly as the temperature rises. This means the damage often isn’t apparent until it’s too late.

“We’re urging homeowners not to be complacent after the recent storms and warmer weather and to be on the lookout for the signs of frozen pipes.

“If your taps, toilets or boiler stops working, you may have a frozen pipe, so it’s worth checking periodically. As soon as you identify a potentially frozen pipe, turn off your water at the mains and at your water tank, if you have one, and see if you can locate the blockage where the pipe is frozen.

“You can then call a plumber or attempt to thaw the pipe yourself while the water is off. To thaw pipes, open the taps and then attempt to thaw the area using hot cloths or towels or a similar item like a hot water bottle. Never use a naked flame and do not apply strong heat directly to the area, and consider placing a container beneath the area to catch any leaks if the pipe is burst.

“If there is a leak, ensure the mains water supply remains off and the water system is drained and contact your insurer.

“You can also reduce the likelihood of pipes freezing by making sure your central heating is kept on at a low temperature and is able circulate in unused rooms and by checking – or installing – insulation and lagging in cold areas of the house.

“As well as causing devastating damage, frozen pipes can be hugely disruptive, so it’s well worth taking these simple steps.”

What to do if your pipes freeze

If taps or toilets stop working or refilling, or your boiler stops working, your taps may be frozen. If this happens:

Steps to take now to prevent pipes from freezing

The chances of pipes freezing and splitting depends on the weather, the age and construction of the plumbing, and other factors like the level of insulation in your home. However, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the chances of damage.