Published Friday 10 January 2025 at 13:01
As the snow and ice start to thaw (as we are expecting over the weekend) that this could cause some issues with leaks, burst pipes and overall disruption on the water network. ❄️
United Utilities have asked us to help share some useful advice with you. 💦
Prepare, Insulate, Protect 👨🏻🔧
Wrap your pipes with lagging to prevent them from freezing (or even bursting) this winter. Pay attention to the pipes in the garage, loft, or those outside your home, as these are the ones most likely to freeze when the temperature drops.
Your local DIY store should have everything you need and don’t forget to use waterproof lagging for outdoor pipes.
Frozen pipes ❄️
Got no water? 🚰
- Check to see if there’s an emergency in your area.
- Ask your neighbours if they have water.
If you’re the only one without water, you may have frozen pipes. Please follow the steps below.
Thawing out a frozen pipe
- Turn off your stop tap by turning it clockwise, it’s usually found under your kitchen sink, but can be in your garage or cellar.
- Once you’ve turned your stop tap off, turn on your cold tap in the kitchen.
- If you have no water, this could be due to a frozen pipe somewhere in your home. This may be the pipe which comes into your home near to where your stop tap is located.
- Carefully thaw the pipe using a warm towel, or if safe to do so a hairdryer in short bursts, ensuring you keep well away from water. If you can get water from a neighbour you could try a hot water bottle too. This could take a while, depending on how frozen and big your pipes are.
- Do not use a blow torch or any kind of naked flame to try and thaw the pipe, as this could cause more damage.
- Switch your stop tap back on to see if the water is running and check for any burst pipes in your home.
- If you do have burst pipe when your water comes back on
- If your water doesn’t come back on, you will need to check with your home insurance company to see if you are covered for frozen pipes or call a plumber. You can find approved plumbers in the comments below.
Burst water pipe? 💦
Burst and leaking pipes can cause damage to your home or business, so being prepared will help to reduce the impact of flooding from burst pipes, which can be extremely distressing as well as costly and time-consuming to repair.
If you do have a burst pipe, don’t panic, follow our advice below:
- Find your stop tap, which is usually under the kitchen sink and turn it clockwise to turn off the water. Watch our video below for advice on how to find your stop tap.
- Turn off your heating, open all your taps to drain the system quickly.
- Soak up any escaping water with towels.
- Check with your home insurance company to see if you’re covered for leaks and bursts or call a plumber.
- If water has leaked near your electrics switch them off at the mains.
- If you need to find an approved plumber in your area visit www.watersafe.org.uk
- Cold weather advice | United Utilities
👍 Please think about your family, friends and vulnerable neighbours and let them know about this information.