Thames Water issues important advice over temperature change

LONDON - MAY 16:  A burst pipe spews water onto a street near Lancaster Gate on May 16, 2006 in London, England. One of the driest periods in 70 years has caused restrictions on non-essential use of water to be imposed in the Southeast of England. The restrictions include bans on filling of privately owned swimming pools, watering of gardens & allotments, parks and recreation surfaces.  (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Thames Water has warned that pipes may burst as the UK enters a 'big thaw' following freezing temperatures for much of last week. (Getty) (Scott Barbour via Getty Images)

A major water company has warned customers they may suffer burst pipes and flooding unless they protect themselves against the 'big thaw' this week.

With the freezing weather conditions forecast to finally thaw this week, Thames Water has urged customers to avoid leaks by preparing pipes to defrost slowly.

On Saturday the supplier apologised when nearly 100 properties were deluged with more than 1.6ft of water in Belsize Road, Camden in the early hours of the morning.

Around 60 firefighters led 25 people to safety and a hub was set up at Swiss Cottage Library.

Multiple postcodes were left without water when two mains burst, causing flooding across a large area.

The company, which has around 15 million customers across London and the Thames Valley area, has also shared advice to avoid leaks.

It said that "lagging" pipes before everything thaws helps the ice inside to safely melt before causing any damage, and added that "foam tubing from DIY stores is cheap and simple to install".

Burst pipes on private property are the responsibility of homeowners, so people are being encouraged to have details of a plumber to hand and to ensure that home insurance covers leaking pipes.

Emergency services rescue resident Stefano Calcagni and his dogs Batista and Pandora on Belsize Road in Camden after a burst water main flooded the London street. London Fire Brigade (LFB) said eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to Belsize Road at 2.50am on Saturday morning after a 42-inch water main burst, causing flooding to a depth of half a metre across an area of around 800 metres. Picture date: Saturday December 17, 2022. (Photo by Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images)
Emergency services rescued residents in Camden on Saturday after a burst water main flooded a London street. (Getty) (Yui Mok - PA Images via Getty Images)

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Advice also included locating the inside stop tap "before it’s too late" to ensure homeowners can stop water flow as soon as a leak is spotted.

When water freezes it expands, which can cause cracks and splits to appear in pipes. Leaks typically appear as the ice thaws and water finds the cracks to escape. Uninsulated pipes leading to outside taps, next to cold internal walls and in unheated lofts and garages are particularly at risk.

Fresh snow today over Tynemouth longsands beach in North Tyneside on the North east coast. Snow and ice have swept across parts of the UK, with cold wintry conditions set to continue for days. Picture date: Thursday December 15, 2022. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images)
Snow covered much of Britain last week as temperatures plunged, but as they rise again Thames Water has warned customers their pipes may burst as they thaw. (Getty) (Owen Humphreys - PA Images via Getty Images)

Thames Water also warned that warmer weather could lead to ground movement, in turn causing pipes to leak or burst.

A level three cold weather alert was issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for all of England over the weekend, warning of “increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services”.

However, as temperatures rose on Sunday it brought warnings of strong winds leading to snow, blizzards and ice and freezing rain, creating hazardous conditions on the roads.

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