How to Avoid Frozen Pipes
Practical steps for homeowners and landlords in London and Essex to stop pipes freezing and avoid burst pipe emergencies in winter. Call us on 020 3488 6280.
Frozen pipes are largely preventable with a bit of planning before the cold weather arrives, saving you a stressful and often costly emergency later.
Know your vulnerable pipework
Pipes running through lofts, garages, outbuildings and against external walls are the most exposed to freezing temperatures, since they benefit least from the heat generated inside the main living areas. External drainage and gullies feeding outside taps are also at risk.
Taking stock of where these pipes run in your property makes it much easier to protect them properly before winter sets in.
Insulate before the cold arrives
Pipe lagging is inexpensive and simple to fit, and it makes a real difference to how well a pipe copes with a sudden drop in temperature. Loft insulation should be checked at the same time, as gaps around pipework can let cold air in even where the pipe itself is lagged.
- Fit foam lagging to exposed pipes in lofts and garages
- Insulate the cold water tank if it is in an unheated loft
- Seal gaps and draughts around pipework entry points
- Disconnect outside hoses and insulate outside tap fittings
Keep some heat moving through the property
Leaving the heating on a low, steady setting during particularly cold spells, even overnight or while you are away, keeps enough warmth circulating to stop pipes freezing. This is especially important for second homes, holiday lets and properties that stand empty over winter.
Landlords with unoccupied rental properties should ask a neighbour or managing agent to check in during cold weather, since a frozen and later burst pipe in an empty property can go unnoticed for days.
Don't forget outside drainage
Gullies and outside drains can freeze just as easily as internal pipework, particularly if they are already partly blocked with leaves or debris. Clearing them before winter, and keeping an eye on them during a cold snap, reduces the chance of meltwater having nowhere to go once temperatures rise.
If you think a pipe has frozen
Turn off the water at the stopcock and try gently warming the affected section with warm towels, working from the tap end inward. Never use a naked flame near pipework. If you cannot find the frozen section or water is already escaping, it is time to call for professional help.
Support when you need it
We provide 24 hour emergency call outs across London and Essex for burst pipes and drainage problems caused by winter weather. Call 020 3488 6280 or email info@rdrainage.co.uk.