Winter weather advice

Keep your water flowing this winter by following our simple tips below to avoid frozen pipes.

If you have any water pipes or taps that are outdoors, or in cold places such as your garage or loft, they can freeze or burst in cold weather. This could leave you with no water or flooding to your home, which can be costly to repair the damage.

Tips to avoid frozen pipes

Insulate water tanks and lag pipes
Pay special attention to unheated areas like lofts and garages
Check unoccupied properties regularly
Fix dripping taps
Make sure you know where your stoptap is and that it is working
Check that your boiler has been serviced
Minimise draughts from doors and windows
If you′re off on holiday, leave the heating on low
If properties are left empty for a long time, turn off the stoptap
Drain outdoor taps and wrap with an outdoor tap jacket

What to do if a pipe freezes

Turn off the water supply with the stoptap
Check if the pipe has burst
Open affected taps and slowly thaw with hot water bottles or towels soaked in hot water
Do not thaw frozen pipes with a naked flame or blowtorch

What to do if a pipe bursts

Turn off the stoptap and boiler
Open all taps to drain the system
Check your home insurance, as you may be covered for the repairs under your policy, or you may have a separate home assistance policy to cover leaks on your private water supply
If you don’t have any insurance cover for fixing leaks, we can help you pay for the costs of the repair with our 12 month interest free* payment option. For a free quote, call our specialist leak repair company, NWG Pipeline Solutions, on 0800 028 3557. You can also visit www.watersafe.org.uk or call 0333 207 9030, to find an approved, local plumber
If water has leaked near electrics, switch the electrics off at the mains
Once the pipework is repaired, turn off the taps to avoid further flooding

*If you default on the payment plan, the full amount may be due. Terms and conditions apply.

Your shopping list

To give your pipes the best protection from the frosty winter, you’ll need:

Warm jackets – British Standard tank jackets come in a wide range of tank sizes
Pipe lagging – this comes in one metre lengths and is ready-cut down the centre. Choose the right diameter for your pipes
Strong tape – sturdy cloth tape or insulation tape will help cover the joins
Tape measure – check how much insulation you’ll need to buy
Sharp scissors – to trim off the excess lagging and help make the joins neat
Wrap the tap – your outside tap can be protected with a tap jacket or even a towel

Your local DIY store should be able to supply you everything you need.