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You are here: Home > Helpful resources > Cold weather tips > Plumbing emergencies

Avoiding a plumbing home emergency

When severe cold weather is forecast, a few practical steps can help avoid a costly and potentially disastorous leak from a burst pipe or water tank - a domestic emergency that can cost thousands of pounds to remedy. These simple checklists could help prevent a costly and disruptive plumbing problem:

Being prepared

Being prepared is the best way to prevent a central heating or plumbing distaster when the temperature drops:

• Make sure all pipes and tanks in the loft are fully lagged and insulated.
• Check your loft insulation is thick enough and in good condition. If you haven't already done so, consider insulating your loft.
• Isolate and/ or turn off any external taps or garden pipework, and ensure that they are protected from freezing.
• During a cold spell, leave your central heating running 24 hours per day at a constant temperature (the coldest time is usually between 1am and 3am). If possible, leave it running in all rooms.
• Find your main water stopcock and make sure you can turn it off and on. If you have a water meter, the 'off' switch will be on the meter, which is usually right outside your house.
• Repair any leaking taps.
• If you have a pond or water feature with a pump, consider either running it constantly to prevent the pipes from freezing, or switching it off as frozen pipes may prevent the pump from running, or the may burst when they thaw and drain the pond.

Going away?:

If you are going to be away from your property for a period of time and severe cold weather is forecast, a few simple steps should mean that your property is protected against the worst of the cold:

• Leave your heating on to maintain an air temperature of at least 5c (40F) especially if you are away for more than a day or two between October and April inclusive.
• Open the loft trap door to allow warm air to reach the loft.
• Ask a trusted friend or neighbour to periodically check your home. If there is a problem, the damage and disruption may be less if it is discovered sooner rather than later.
• Leave your contact details with a relative or a trusted friend/ neighbour.
• Don't forget pets, including pond fish. A football or equivalent on a pond will make it easier to get air to the pond, or a pond heater will help ensure a patch of water is kept ice free.
• Shut off and drain fixed water tanks, apparatus and pipes.
• Check your Home Insurance policy to ensure that you are adequately covered while you away.

Frozen pipes:

If you have a frozen pipe or water tank, or suspect you may have one, then these tips could help prevent a damaging escape of water when the temperature increases:

• Turn off the water at the main stopcock or meter.
• Switch off the central heating and immersion heater.
• Turn on all your taps to drain the central heating and water system.
• If water has flooded wiring or electrical systems - do not touch them before arranging a professional inspection. Turn off the electricity at the mains fuse board.
• Call a professional tradesman to make repairs.

If you're unsure about any of the tips provided above, consult a qualified professional before doing anything. You should also notify your insurer.