How do I stop my pipes freezing in winter?
Frozen pipes can burst and cause serious water damage. Here is how to protect them in cold weather, and what to do if a pipe freezes or bursts.
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Upfront cost — no obligation To stop pipes freezing, keep your home reasonably warm, insulate (lag) exposed pipes, and let taps drip in very cold spells so water keeps moving. Frozen water expands and can split a pipe, so the real risk is a burst and flooding when it thaws. This guide covers how to protect your pipes through winter and what to do if one freezes or bursts.
Why frozen pipes are a problem
When water in a pipe freezes it expands, and the pressure can crack or split the pipe. You often do not notice until it thaws and water pours out, which can cause serious damage to floors, ceilings and belongings. Pipes most at risk are those in unheated spaces — lofts, garages, outside walls and under the floor — and the external condensate pipe from a boiler.
When water in a pipe freezes it expands, and the pressure can crack or split the pipe.
How to protect your pipes before a cold snap
Lag exposed pipes with foam pipe insulation, especially in the loft, garage and against outside walls. Keep your heating on low even when you are out in very cold weather, so the house never drops to freezing. Fix any dripping taps, as a steady drip can freeze and block an outlet. If you are away, leave the heating set to come on for a while each day, or ask someone to check the property.
Lag exposed pipes with foam pipe insulation, especially in the loft, garage and against outside walls.
What to do if a pipe freezes
If a tap runs dry in cold weather, a pipe has probably frozen. Turn off the water at the stopcock, open the affected tap to relieve pressure, and gently warm the frozen section with a hot water bottle or warm cloths — never a naked flame. Thaw from the tap end back towards the blockage. If you cannot find or reach the frozen section, or you suspect the pipe has already split, call a plumber.
If a tap runs dry in cold weather, a pipe has probably frozen.
What to do if a pipe bursts
If a pipe bursts, turn off the water at the main stopcock straight away and open the taps to drain the system. Turn off the heating, and switch off the electricity at the consumer unit if water is anywhere near it. Then call an emergency plumber. Our plumbing service covers burst pipes and leaks, and we offer an emergency call-out for urgent jobs across East London.
If a pipe bursts, turn off the water at the main stopcock straight away and open the taps to drain the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop my pipes from freezing?
Lag exposed pipes with foam insulation, keep the heating on low in very cold weather, fix dripping taps, and let a tap drip slightly during a hard freeze so water keeps moving.
What should I do if a pipe freezes?
Turn off the water at the stopcock, open the tap, and gently warm the frozen section with a hot water bottle or warm cloths — never a naked flame. If you cannot reach it or it has split, call a plumber.
What do I do if a pipe bursts?
Turn off the water at the main stopcock immediately, open the taps to drain the system, turn off the heating and any nearby electrics, and call an emergency plumber.
Which pipes are most likely to freeze?
Pipes in unheated areas — lofts, garages, outside walls and under floors — and the external condensate pipe from a boiler are the most at risk.
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