Winter Plumbing Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Winter can be tough on your plumbing. When temperatures drop below freezing, the water in your pipes can freeze, expand, and cause pipes to crack or burst — leading to expensive water damage. Here’s how to protect your home.

Before Winter Hits

Insulate Your Pipes

The most effective prevention is pipe insulation (lagging). Focus on:

Pipes in unheated spaces (loft, garage, under the house)
Pipes running along external walls
Any exposed outdoor pipes or taps

Pipe insulation is cheap and easy to fit — you can pick it up from any DIY store for a few pounds per metre.

Service Your Boiler

A well-maintained boiler is far less likely to break down when you need it most. Book your annual boiler service before the cold weather arrives. We recommend servicing between September and November.

Know Your Stopcock

If a pipe does burst, you need to turn off your water supply fast. Make sure everyone in your household knows where the stopcock is and how to turn it off. It’s usually found under the kitchen sink or where the mains water enters your property.

During Cold Snaps

Keep Your Heating On

Even when you’re away, keep your heating on a low setting (at least 12-15°C). This keeps water circulating through the pipes and prevents freezing.

Open Loft Hatches

If you have a cold water tank in the loft, leave the loft hatch slightly open during very cold weather. This allows warm air from below to reach the loft and keep temperatures above freezing.

Let Taps Drip

In extreme cold, letting a tap drip very slightly overnight can prevent the water in the pipes from freezing. Moving water is much harder to freeze.

If Your Pipes Freeze

If you suspect frozen pipes (no water coming from taps, or only a trickle):

Turn off the water supply at the stopcock
Gently warm the pipe with a hot water bottle or hairdryer — never use a blowtorch or direct flame
Start from the tap end and work backwards towards the frozen section
Check for cracks once the pipe thaws — look for drips or wet patches
Call a plumber if you can’t locate the frozen section or if the pipe has cracked

Don’t Get Caught Out

A frozen pipe that leads to a burst can cause thousands of pounds of damage to your property. Prevention is always cheaper than the cure.

Need help preparing your plumbing for winter? Jon Doe Plumbing offers pipe lagging, boiler servicing, and emergency callouts. Call 01234 007007 to book.