Winter can be a beautiful season, with snow-covered landscapes and cosy fireside moments, but it also brings challenges for homeowners—especially when it comes to plumbing. Frozen pipes are a common winter problem that can lead to expensive repairs and significant water damage if they burst. In this guide, we’ll cover effective steps you can take to prevent your pipes from freezing, protecting your home and your wallet.
Why Preventing Frozen Pipes Is Important
When temperatures drop, any water left inside pipes can freeze, causing them to expand. This expansion creates pressure within the pipes, leading to cracks and, potentially, complete ruptures. Preventing frozen pipes is essential for:
- Avoiding costly repair bills.
- Preventing water damage to walls, floors, and ceilings.
- Ensuring you have continuous access to water during winter months.
Insulate Your Pipes
Insulating your pipes is one of the most effective ways to keep them warm and prevent freezing.
Choosing the Right Insulation
- Foam Pipe Insulation: Affordable and easy to install, foam pipe insulation is suitable for most home plumbing systems. It’s also an excellent choice for homeowners looking for a quick solution.
- Fibreglass Insulation: Fibreglass insulation is a bit more expensive and requires careful installation but is highly effective for protecting pipes in unheated spaces like attics or basements.
- Heat Tape or Cable: For extremely cold climates, consider adding a heat tape or heat cable around your pipes. This electrically powered solution provides extra warmth, preventing even the most exposed pipes from freezing.
How to Install Insulation
- Measure the Pipes: Measure the diameter and length of your pipes to buy the right size of insulation.
- Apply the Insulation: Wrap the insulation around each pipe, securing it in place with tape if necessary.
- Check Seams and Joints: Ensure all joints and corners are fully covered to prevent cold air from seeping in.
Tip: Insulate pipes located in unheated areas, such as basements, attics, crawl spaces, and exterior walls, as these are most vulnerable to freezing.
Keep a Steady Temperature Indoors
Maintaining a stable temperature in your home is essential to protect your pipes, especially if you plan to be away for extended periods during the winter.
Tips for Maintaining Indoor Heat
- Set Your Thermostat to At Least 12°C: Keeping the temperature at or above 12°C (even when you’re not at home) reduces the risk of pipes freezing.
- Leave Cabinet Doors Open: Under-sink cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms often house pipes that are susceptible to freezing. Opening the cabinet doors allows warm air to circulate around these pipes, reducing the risk of freezing.
- Use Space Heaters in Problem Areas: In especially cold rooms or areas of your home, a space heater can provide extra warmth to prevent pipe freezing. Just ensure they are safely positioned and attended.
Let Faucets Drip
A slow drip from your faucets can help prevent pipes from freezing by keeping water moving through the pipes.
Why This Works
- Moving Water: Running water is less likely to freeze than stationary water.
- Pressure Relief: If a pipe does start to freeze, a dripping faucet can relieve some of the pressure, reducing the chances of a burst pipe.
Tip: Focus on faucets connected to pipes that are in unheated areas or on exterior walls.
Seal Cracks and Openings
Cold air can enter your home through small cracks or holes, making it easier for pipes to freeze, particularly those along exterior walls.
How to Find and Seal Cracks
- Inspect Exterior Walls: Look for visible gaps, especially around areas where pipes enter the home.
- Use Caulk or Expanding Foam: Seal gaps or cracks with caulk for smaller spaces or expanding foam for larger openings.
- Check Windows and Doors: Ensure windows and doors close tightly, and add weather stripping if necessary.
Drain Outdoor Hoses and Faucets
Outdoor pipes, hoses, and faucets are the most susceptible to freezing because they are directly exposed to the elements.
Steps for Outdoor Draining
- Disconnect and Drain Hoses: Disconnect garden hoses and drain any water from them before storing them indoors.
- Shut Off Outdoor Faucets: Locate the shut-off valve for any outdoor faucets, turn it off, and then open the faucet to drain any remaining water.
- Install Frost-Free Faucet Covers: For extra protection, add insulated covers over outdoor faucets to shield them from cold temperatures.
Tip: Consider adding frost-free hose bibs, which prevent water from freezing inside outdoor pipes.
Install a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats allow you to monitor and control your home’s temperature remotely, which is particularly helpful if you’re away during a cold snap.
Benefits of a Smart Thermostat
- Remote Temperature Adjustments: Adjusting your thermostat remotely ensures your home stays warm, reducing the risk of freezing pipes.
- Alerts for Temperature Drops: Many smart thermostats have alerts that notify you of any sudden drops in temperature, allowing you to take action before pipes start freezing.
A smart thermostat is a worthwhile investment, particularly in regions that experience frequent or severe winter weather.
Know the Location of Your Water Shut-Off Valve
In case of an emergency, such as a burst pipe, it’s essential to know where your water shut-off valve is located.
Why This Matters
- Quickly Stops Water Flow: If a pipe bursts, turning off the main water supply can prevent extensive water damage.
- Provides Peace of Mind: In the event of freezing, knowing how to shut off the water lets you act swiftly.
Summary Table
| Step | Key Actions |
| Insulate Your Pipes | Use foam, fibreglass, or heat tape to wrap pipes |
| Maintain Indoor Temperature | Keep thermostat at 12°C and open cabinet doors |
| Let Faucets Drip | Keep water moving, especially in exterior faucets |
| Seal Cracks and Openings | Use caulk or foam to block cold air entry points |
| Drain Outdoor Faucets | Disconnect hoses, drain water, and install covers |
| Use a Smart Thermostat | Monitor temperature and receive low-temp alerts |
| Locate Water Shut-Off Valve | Know where to shut off water in case of pipe burst |
Preventing frozen pipes is an important step in winter-proofing your home, saving you from the expense and stress of burst pipes and water damage. By following these preventative measures—such as insulating your pipes, maintaining a steady indoor temperature, and sealing any cold air entry points—you can protect your plumbing system and enjoy a safe, worry-free winter season.
FAQs
Pipes are most at risk of freezing when temperatures drop below -6°C. However, homes with poorly insulated pipes may experience freezing at slightly higher temperatures.
Yes! Opening cabinet doors allow warm air from the house to circulate around pipes, especially those along exterior walls, helping to prevent freezing.
Turn off the main water supply, open the nearest faucet to release pressure, and carefully warm the pipe using a hairdryer or heating pad. Avoid open flames or torches.
It’s most important to drip faucets connected to pipes along exterior walls or in unheated spaces, as these are the most likely to freeze.
Smart thermostats vary in price, ranging from around £100 to £300, depending on the features. The added control and potential savings on heating bills can make them a good investment.
