Frozen Pipes
Follow our guide to minimise damage and take control
Please be careful if you discover a frozen pipe. This is a delicate time and you must be cautious so as to avoid a burst pipe (and an emergency).
Download our guide1. Turn the stop-valve off straight away
Shutting off the water will minimise flooding straight away. Check for any obvious damage to pipes that may indicate a burst, such as sprung joints. If you notice any damage, call a plumber immediately.
2. Don't switch on your boiler or immersion heater
In a frozen pipe, the water doesn’t have anywhere to go. So switching on any water heating system will ultimately result in a burst pipe.
3. Gently heat any frozen sections of the pipe
Wrap a heated cloth around the pipe or use a hot water bottle. Open the closest tap and start thawing from the tap backwards.
4. 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.
Do you have a burst pipe?
This is an emergency. It's important to act quickly so that you minimise damage. We've got four simple steps to help.
Please follow our advice
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