Unfreeze frozen pipes with this simple household item, expert says

Ireland is set for some incredibly cold weather this week, with Met Éireann issuing two temperature warnings alongside a snow and ice alert.

With the temperatures outside plummeting, this can put the pipes inside your home at risk of freezing, which can result in people losing access to water, as well as water damage if the pipes break.

If the damage is very bad, it can result in a home insurance claim. Fortunately, there are steps you can take by yourself to combat frozen pipes during the colder months.

Read more: Weather map spots counties to hit -4 degrees as Met Eireann issue 8-hour snow warning

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Ian O’Reilly, Head of Personal Line Sales at Chill , explains that if you discover frozen pipes in your home, it's important to act quickly to minimise the damage.

"Firstly, make sure all water supply is turned off to prevent a potential burst." According to Irish Water, the inside stop valve allows you to control the water supply entering your home, allowing you to turn the water on or off. Inside stop valves can look different, but usually they look like a red lever, wheel or gold twist tap.

In homes, they are usually located under the kitchen sink. Other places they might be found include inside a hot press on the ground floor of a home, inside a utility room or garage, under the stairs, under a bathroom sink on the ground floor of a home, inside a kitchen unit, cupboard, or press, inside a boiler house or where a gas pipe enters your home.

"Using a hairdryer or heat wrap, but never open flame, you can start to thaw the pipe, starting at the faucet and making your way down to the frozen section," Ian O’Reilly continues.

"Be sure to keep the faucet open to let melting water flow out freely. Once the pipe is thawed, check for any leaks and consider insulating vulnerable pipes to prevent future freezing. If you're not sure, it is always wise to contact a qualified plumber."

Prevention is also better than cure, and plumbing professional David Doran from Blackstone Plumbing and Heating Ltd has some advice on how to prevent frozen pipes in the first place.

Make sure your thermostat is correctly adjusted. People might assume heating your home to a very warm temperature on cold days is the correct thing to do, but David recommends setting the thermostat between 18-20C.

This is because many modern heating systems feature a "frost protection" setting designed to maintain your house's temperature above zero while conserving energy, reports the Express.

With the cold weather set to continue, it's always good to know these things!