What causes frozen pipes and how can you fix them quickly?

Frozen pipes can cause significant water damage and lead to costly repairs, but with some simple steps you can avoid frozen pipes and know exactly what to do if they do freeze.

Read on to find out more about how to prevent frozen pipes this winter.

Why do pipes freeze?

Pipes are more likely to freeze when they're located in unheated areas like basements, attics or outside walls. The lack of insulation in these areas and exposure to cold draughts increase the risk of frozen pipes. Understanding which pipes are vulnerable on your site can help you take action to protect them.

Steps to prevent frozen pipes

Prevention is the best strategy when it comes to frozen pipes. Here are some effective  steps to take to help avoid frozen pipes this winter:

Insulate your pipes

Insulation is the first thing you can do to prevent frozen pipes. Wrapping exposed pipes in foam pipe insulation in unheated areas can make a big difference in keeping your pipes warm and less likely to freeze.

Seal up cracks and holes

Cool air can come through cracks and holes in your site's walls, floors and ceilings. By sealing these with caulk or spray foam you can keep the cold out and the warmth in.

When sealing up cracks and holes, you should pay attention to areas around windows, doors and where pipes enter your site.

Keep a consistent temperature

During frozen spells, try to keep your site’s thermostat set to the same temperature throughout both day and night. This can help prevent pipes from freezing if temperatures drop.

What to do if you suspect a frozen pipe

Despite your efforts to prevent your pipes from freezing, it can still happen. If a pipe freezes, it’s important to act quickly to minimise the damage.

First, you will need to identify which pipe is frozen. You’ll know a pipe is frozen if no water (or only a little bit) comes out of the tap. Often the frozen pipe will also have a light covering of frost on it which can indicate that’s where the freeze is. Once you’ve identified the frozen pipe, it will be important to act quickly, but with caution, to avoid a burst.

Turn off your water supply

Shutting off the water will minimise any flooding which can be caused by a frozen pipe. Check for any obvious damage to pipes that might indicate a burst. If you notice any damage, call a plumber immediately.

Keep your boiler or immersion heater off

In a frozen pipe, the water doesn’t have anywhere to go and switching on your water heating system at the same time could result in a burst pipe. Keep your boiler or immersion heater off until the frozen pipe is fixed.

Gently heat any frozen sections of pipe

Wrap a heated cloth or hot water bottle around the pipe. Open the closest tap and start thawing the pipe from the tap backwards.

Don't use a naked flame to defrost pipes

Applying a flame directly to a frozen section of pipe is a fire hazard and will only cause more damage to your water system.

Keep your organisation flowing

Frozen pipes can cause disruptions, but they are easy to prevent. A few simple steps can help you avoid problems and keep your organisation running smoothly. If a pipe does freeze, act quickly and thaw it safely. And if you’re unsure, call a professional plumber. By staying proactive, you’ll protect your plumbing and keep your business operating.

You can download our frozen pipes guide here

Or if you have a burst pipe, please follow our burst pipes advice here.