With freezing temperatures sweeping across the UK, many areas are facing frosty mornings and cold days. In light of this, households are being urged to address one garden item before it’s too late, or risk facing repair bills of up to £1,000. The warning centres on a garden hose and any attachment left connected to an outdoor tap through winter.
Experts warn that water left inside the pipe can freeze and lead to it breaking, as well as cause more severe damage in the home. In warmer weather, an outdoor tap is designed to drain once it has been turned off. When a hose, spray gun or pressure washer is left attached, water often sits in the body of the tap and the pipe behind it.
Plumbers say that in freezing weather, this trapped water can split the hose connector, crack the tap body or even damage the thinner copper or plastic pipe just inside the wall.
This isn’t all of it, either; the real problem emerges later. An expert from Homebuilding&Renovating said: “Once the thaw comes and the tap is turned on again in milder weather, water can start leaking slowly into the wall cavity or under the floor.
“Hours can pass before damp patches appear indoors, by which time plaster, insulation and sometimes wiring have already been soaked.”
The experts also warned that frozen outdoor taps and pipes are a common cause of burst-pipe leaks, and that it’s important to take simple measures to prevent this.
This includes insulating the tap and disconnecting hoses to prevent damage.
Experts at Southern Living are also urging households to take action by disconnecting and draining outdoor houses, insulating exposed pipes and protecting outside taps.
If you do find yourself with a frozen outdoor tap, wrap it in a towel or unused bedding before gently pouring hot, but not boiling, water over it. It can take up to 30-40 minutes to defrost.
