residents warnedto check pipes

Yorkshire Water is urging customers to check pipes, particularly those who own a second or empty property, or have an external tap fitted to their home.

Low temperatures can lead to water in pipes freezing and as they do so they expand, putting enormous pressures on the pipes, which can result in cracks.

Problems can be overlooked while the water inside them is still frozen and only when the weather warms up can the bursts become apparent as the water starts to flow again.

Since the cold spell began back in December, the company has seen a huge surge in calls from customers concerned about frozen pipes in their homes, receiving more than 12,000 calls between December 19 and January 8.