Frozen Drains: How to Prevent and Deal With Them

When the temperature drops, most people think about burst water pipes. But drains can freeze too. As a drainage company based in Cheadle, we want our customers across Stockport to be ready for the cold weather. Here’s how frozen drains happen, how to prevent them and what to do if yours freezes.

Can drains really freeze?

Yes. You might think that because drains slope downwards and the water runs away, there’s no risk of freezing. That isn’t true. Water flowing through a pipe, or sitting in a trap or a dip in the pipe, can freeze if it’s cold enough.

When water freezes, it expands. Inside a pipe, it has nowhere else to go. That can cause a blockage, and it can also crack or break the pipe. Sometimes the expanding ice bursts through the pipe wall to release the pressure. Your whole drainage system can stop working until the ice melts or the damage is repaired. Often the first sign is a toilet, sink or bath that simply won’t drain.

What causes drain pipes to freeze?

• Poor or missing insulation around exposed pipes
• A sudden drop in temperature, which is common in winter
• Little or no water flowing through an exposed pipe, for example in a holiday home or a rarely used outside toilet
• Pipes running through unheated areas, such as garages, lofts and outbuildings, even when the heating in the house is on

Signs your drain may be frozen

• Water won’t drain away from a sink, bath or shower on a very cold morning
• Gurgling noises from plugholes
• Ice visible at the end of an outside waste pipe or in a gully
• A toilet that won’t flush away properly

How to prevent frozen drains

• Insulate exposed waste pipes and outside pipework with pipe lagging
• Keep downpipes and gully gratings clear so water can’t sit and freeze
• Run water through drains that aren’t used much, such as an outside toilet or utility sink
• Keep the heating on low if you’re going away in very cold weather
• Fix dripping taps and leaks that send a slow trickle into outside pipes, where it can build up as ice

What not to do

It’s tempting to pour boiling water down a frozen drain, but there’s a real risk. Water that’s too hot can damage and warp plastic pipes, and the sudden change in temperature can crack older clay pipes. Don’t use a blowtorch or naked flame on pipes either.

How we can help

The safest way to deal with a frozen drain is to call us. Trying to thaw it yourself can make things worse, and even small mistakes can cause a pipe to break. We’ll find where the pipe is frozen, clear it safely and check whether the ice has caused any damage. If the pipe is cracked, a CCTV drain survey will show where and how badly. Our drain unblocking prices are fixed: £75 + VAT for rodding and plunging, and £150 + VAT for jetting and machine work. Fixed prices apply Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Evenings, weekends and bank holidays may cost more, and we’ll tell you the rate before we set off.

Frozen or blocked drain this winter?

We’re open 24/7 across Stockport, Bramhall, Wilmslow and the surrounding areas. Call 07375 521027 or send us a WhatsApp.