Blog
It's Snowing!
Despite the snow, CBS is still endeavouring to provide a normal service. Our Contact Centre is open however please bear this in mind when reporting repairs and emergencies.
Our Contact Centre staff will be in contact should there be any changes required to appointments.
Dealing with frozen pipes
Unfortunately, Jack Frost sometimes gets the better of our pipes.
But do not panic – the following advice will help you minimise any damage and get everything back to normal.
It is important to note, that if your pipes have frozen leaving you with no water, unfortunately there is nothing that we will be able to do. You will need to wait for the pipes to thaw out.
Thaw your pipes
After freezing has occurred in pipes there is a risk of a burst if heat is applied suddenly. Do not switch on water heating appliances, including boilers and immersion heaters until you are sure the system has thawed out. Reheat your property using gas, solid fuel or electric heaters that are unconnected with the plumbing or central heating system.
Do not try to thaw pipes using a naked flame. You can try using a hairdryer to gently direct heat onto frozen pipes, but make sure you thaw the pipe at the end nearest the tap first.
Damage to pipes can occur when they become frozen, but you are only going to notice when the water in the pipe thaws. So, if a pipe is frozen isolate the affected area by closing your stop-tap.
Run your taps
When your pipes begin to thaw, make sure you run your taps into sinks and baths to drain the plumbing system. This should reduce any damage caused by water escaping from a burst pipe.
Resuming normal service
Once the plumbing has thawed and there are no leaks, stop running the taps and slowly open the stop-tap. Check the plumbing system for leaks once it is under pressure and, only when you are satisfied all systems are thawed, switch on water heating appliances. If your notice a leak, isolate the affected pipe by closing the stop-tap, then call a CBS (Freephone number below).
Dealing with frozen sink / basin / bath wastes
Drains in sinks can easily become frozen making it impossible for water to pass through the pipes, if this is the case try pouring some salt down the drain (about a table spoon to start) and give it 15 minutes or so before repeating. Salt is very good at melting ice, that is why rock salt is used on the public roads and highways when the temperature is low.
Freephone 08000 282127
