Protect your pipes in winter

Get ready for winter

Heat

• If possible, leave your heating on at a low temperature.
• Make sure heaters are well maintained and working properly.

Insulate

• Check loft insulation is thick and in good condition.
• Invest in insulation for your water pipes making sure you lag any exposed pipes.

Protect

• Have any leaks at taps or valves repaired.
• Fit draught excluders to your doors and windows.
• Use proper insulation to keep your water meter from freezing.

Drain

• Drain your water system before closing for winter or in advance of pre-notified freezing temperatures to avoid frozen expanding water.

Shut off

• Shut off your supply at the stop cock to cut down the risk of internal leaks

Download our '5 steps to protect your business' so you can have this information to hand.

If you’re a landlord or factor

Pay particular attention to any empty properties for which you’re responsible. Check there are no damaged pipes leaking water and costing you money. Make sure the water supply to empty properties is shut off and drained unless it’s needed.

If a pipe freezes

• Turn the water supply off at the stop valve immediately.
• Check for any obvious bursts or sprung joints. Then gently heat any frozen sections – a heated cloth wrapped round a pipe is ideal.
• Never try to thaw out frozen pipes by switching on your immersion heater or central heating boiler. And never apply a direct flame to a frozen pipe.
• Call a qualified plumber if you’re in any doubt about what to do.

If a pipe bursts

• Turn off your water at the stop valve immediately.
• Switch off your immersion heater and central heating boiler.
• Turn on all hot and cold taps to drain the system and minimise damage. Let any solid fuel fires die down.
• Switch off your electricity supply at the main if there’s a risk that water could come into contact with electrical wiring or fittings.
• Check with your neighbours that turning off the water hasn’t affected their supply.
• You can make a temporary repair to a burst pipe by binding it tightly with a cloth or tape, or using a pipe clamp. But find a qualified plumber to replace the pipe as quickly as possible.
• Contact us to let us know what’s happened, we might be able to take it into account when working out your bill.