When temperatures drop below freezing, water in exposed pipes can freeze and expand - causing pipes to split and flood your home. Here’s how to protect your property.
Keep the heating ticking over
If you’re away from home, don’t turn the heating off completely. Set the thermostat to a minimum of 12°C to keep pipes above freezing point.
Insulate exposed pipes
Pipes in lofts, garages, and under suspended floors are most at risk. Foam pipe lagging costs very little and can be fitted in minutes.
Know where your stopcock is
If a pipe does burst, you need to be able to turn off the water supply immediately. Find your stopcock now - usually under the kitchen sink - and make sure it turns freely.
Let taps drip slightly
Moving water is less likely to freeze. On extremely cold nights, leave a cold tap running at a slow drip on pipework that runs along an external wall.
Service your boiler before winter
A boiler breakdown in January is miserable. Book a service in autumn to make sure the system is ready for peak demand.
What to do if a pipe freezes
Never use a naked flame to thaw a pipe. Use a hairdryer on a low heat setting, working from the tap end inward. Have towels ready in case the pipe has already split.
If you discover a burst pipe, turn off the stopcock immediately and call us - we offer emergency call-outs across Greater Manchester.