Brits have been told to avoid one method of cleaning their drains to prevent a costly mistake. Frozen pipes remain one of the most common and costly problems for UK households during winter, according to plumbing and heating specialists at Plumbworld.
When water inside a pipe freezes, it expands, which can cause cracks or even bursts. A burst pipe can flood a property, damage flooring, walls, and electrics, and in some cases make a home uninhabitable until repairs are completed. The cost of fixing a single burst pipe can range from £150 to over £1,000. A recent TikTok video by @problemsolved has highlighted a simple hack that many homeowners may not have considered. The advice is straightforward: open the cabinet doors around sinks and faucets. This allows warmer air to circulate around pipes, particularly those located in unheated areas such as under the kitchen or bathroom sink. Plumbworld said that leaving the cabinet doors open helps regulate the temperature around vulnerable pipes, keeping them above the freezing point.
Ensure that all interior doors are open where possible, particularly in areas where pipes run along exterior walls. Maintaining a minimum temperature of around 13C helps keep water moving through the system and reduces the risk of freezing.
The video also suggests leaving a small drip of cold water running during extremely low temperatures. Even a slow trickle of water is enough to prevent the pipe from freezing completely.
The consequences of ignoring frozen pipes can be severe. Water escaping from a burst pipe can quickly damage wooden flooring, plaster walls, carpets, and electrical systems.
Homeowners are advised to check their plumbing before the coldest nights arrive. Inspecting pipes in unheated areas, making sure cabinet doors are open, and leaving a slow drip of water during extreme temperatures are all simple but effective measures.
Eleanor Potter, expert at Plumbworld, said: “Frozen pipes are a serious risk in winter, but they can be avoided with simple actions.
“Opening cabinet doors around sinks and faucets allows warmer air to circulate, and leaving a small drip of water running during very cold nights can make a huge difference. These steps are easy to implement and can prevent damage that costs hundreds of pounds to fix.”
