When winter arrives in Bath, Bristol and the surrounding area, it brings crisp, fresh air, picturesque snowy landscapes – and freezing temperatures. Unfortunately, frozen drains are very common between December and February, the coldest months in the UK. In fact, a drain freezing is one of the main reasons why many residential and commercial property owners need our Bristol and Bath drains 24/7 emergency callout service during wintry weather.
It’s all too easy for wastewater to turn into a solid block of ice in your drains at this time of year, as the pipework is buried underground outdoors and therefore at the mercy of temperatures of 0°C and below. A frozen drain is undoubtedly one of the most serious, potentially destructive drainage problems you can encounter at your home or business, not least because the pipe may get completely blocked. Indeed, frozen drain issues can only be resolved with specialist help from a trusted drainage company such as Mega-Rod.
As winter drain care experts, we know that frozen drains threaten drainage systems’ structural integrity. You can’t just wait for the pipework to thaw out when the weather improves; too much damage may have been done by then, as we’ll explain. You need to get in touch with an experienced drainage team like us straight away.
Many people don’t realise that water doesn’t behave like the majority of other liquids in freezing conditions. In other words, it doesn’t shrink – it actually gets bigger. As water molecules freeze, they move further apart from one another. As a result, water ‘expands by approximately 9%’ when it solidifies, as the International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam explains.
Because frozen wastewater takes up more space than liquid wastewater and stubbornly refuses to move through pipework, it tends to create severe congestion and blockages in drains. In addition, it can exert considerable pressure on drain walls, which can lead to cracks, warping, loose joints and even collapsed drains (not to mention leaks and flooding when liquid wastewater travels through the system again).
When the temperature outside plummets, watch out for the following drainage issues. They may well indicate that your drains have frozen and become blocked or reached the point of collapse.
Be particularly vigilant if you have ageing drains (for example, Victorian vitrified clay pipework) or drains buried in shallow trenches, as they’re particularly vulnerable in the winter.
Fortunately, there are practical steps you can take to help prevent frozen drains.
During the winter months, keep an eye on the weather forecasts for Bath, Bristol and neighbouring places. If the temperature outside is predicted to drop to around freezing point,run your hot water taps regularly.
Insulate above-ground water pipes with foam pipe sleeves. Add thermal ‘jackets’ to water tanks and outside taps. If you miss any above-ground pipes, etc. and they start to look frosty, contact a plumber as soon as you can in case the pipework bursts.
British Gas suggests getting your boiler serviced before winter really sets in to ensure heat is being distributed efficiently. It’s also sensible to keep the temperature in your property above 12°C throughout the winter even when you’re away. Keep the cupboard doors beneath your kitchen sink open to let warm air reach the pipework. (‘Remove any household chemicals or potentially harmful cleaners […] if you have small children or pets,’ emphasises Better Homes & Gardens.) Also encourage warm air to enter your loft, if a water tank is housed up there, by leaving the hatch open.
One of the most effective steps you can take when you want to avoid the misery of frozen drains is to book a drain cleaning appointment. After all, if your drains are even slightly congested at the moment (due to coffee grounds or flushed wet wipes, say), it won’t take much frozen wastewater to completely block them. Our drain cleaning specialists use drain jetting and other powerful techniques to leave pipework clean and clear and help your drainage system defend itself against winter weather.
If you’re worried that your drains may be frozen right now, please remember that we offer 24/7 emergency callouts.
We can unblock drains by blasting, breaking apart and washing away blocks of ice with our drain jetters. We also have the expertise to repair or replace drains that have been damaged by frozen wastewater.
Resolve frozen drain issues this winter – contact Mega-Rod in Bath today on 01225 422980.
