Harry,
Been there had that. Brit plumbing was always just about good enough. Now as I am here in Germany where such thing just don"t happen mainly due to that old Robert Ruark saying of "use enough insulation".
I will be back in the UK this week to check on my second home in Dover, i"m expecting something to be wrong/burst.
The Dover customs cannot jump on me this time as I will be travelling without any shootin irons.
Best for the new year.
Martin