Life Hack: What to do if a pipe freezes and how to prevent further damage if it bursts

When the temperature drops, your pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting. Here's what to do if that happens

Knowing the basics of dealing with frozen pipes can save you a lot of headaches in winter

With the weather getting much colder, now is a good time to get your pipes ready for any freezing conditions that may come our way in winter. Unprotected pipes and dripping taps can freeze and crack when the temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius, affecting your water supply. Cracked pipes can then leak when the temperature rises, causing more damage.

If one or more of your taps have stopped working, Irish Water suggests asking your neighbours if they are also experiencing issues. If they are then there may be an issue with the water supply, but if they are not, you could have a frozen pipe.