Beat the freeze

Here are some great tips to help avoid frozen and burst pipes during the cold weather spells.

Homeowners

• If you're going away this winter, try to leave your heating on at a low level to keep your home frost free.
• Make sure your pipes are properly insulated, inside and out.
• Make sure you know where your internal stopcock is and that it works. (The internal stopcock can usually be found under the kitchen sink.)
• If possible, set your heating to come on for short periods every day to help prevent pipes freezing.
• Beware of fire risks and never use a heater in the loft or attic.
• Check for draughts around windows and doors and insulate where possible.
• If you are going away from home and cannot take any of these steps, you should turn off your water supply at the internal stopcock and drain your pipes and tanks.
• If you are leaving your home empty over the winter, ask a neighbour or friend to visit your home regularly to turn your heating on and off or use the timer on your central heating system.
• Make sure all pipes and tanks in the loft are lagged. However, don't lag under the tank, as heat rising from your home will prevent this area freezing.
• Only lag pipes with material approved to British and European Standards, available from your local DIY or plumbing shop.

Even inside your home, a pipe can freeze overnight, if it is near a draught . . . check now and block that draught . . . it will also help save money on your heating bill.

For more information download a copy of the Beat the freeze leaflet.

Schools

• Make sure pipes and tanks in the loft or roof space and any unheated areas are lagged with approved materials.
• If you are leaving your building(s) unattended set your heating to come on for short periods every day.
• Make sure you know where your stopcock is and that it works.
• If the school is going to be empty for a long time, e.g. over Christmas and New Year, it is best to turn your water off at the internal stopcock and drain pipes and tanks by running the taps. Make sure you don't leave any plugs in. If possible also turn off the external stopcock on your side of the meter.
• Check for draughts around windows and doors and insulate where possible. A pipe can freeze overnight if it is near a draught. This will save you money on your heating bill too.
• If possible turn off the supply to outside taps and drain the pipes.
• Mend any dripping taps or overflows. (Saves water too and energy if it is a hot tap!)
• If there is a freeze make sure the key holder visits the property to check the pipes.
• Have an emergency plumbing contact handy.

A word of caution . . . if we get long cold spells, static water in pipes will eventually freeze despite lagging.

If your pipes do freeze:

• Turn off the water at the internal stopcock.
• Turn off central heating boilers and put out fires which heat back boilers.
• Turn on all taps to drain the system, making sure you do not leave any plugs in.
• Watch the pipes for any splits which may develop.
• Apply gentle heat to the pipes. Use a hair dryer, heat lamp or fan heater. Do not use a naked flame or blow torch.
• Start at the tap and work away from it leaving the tap open to allow thawed water to escape.
• When you believe the pipe has thawed, turn on the water at the internal stopcock slowly.
• Check for bursts. If you find any, turn the water off again and call a plumber.