• There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.
Energy saving - page header

Frozen or Burst Pipes

Due to the recent freezing weather conditions, some of our customers have called to say their water has gone off or it’s coming out the tap in a trickle. This could be due to frozen pipes in your home. If you think your pipes may be frozen but they have not split or burst, there are some simple steps you can take to help slowly thaw them by using a hot water bottle or hairdryer, starting from the end nearest your tap.

If you spot that one of your pipes might be frozen, turn off your inside stop tap immediately. It's usually located under the kitchen sink, but can also be found in downstairs bathrooms, kitchen cupboards, garages, cellars and under the stairs.

Open all your taps to drain the system as quickly as possible, saving some water in a bucket, if you can, for flushing toilets and hand washing. When the water stops running, turn all the taps off.

How to thaw frozen pipes

It's best to thaw out pipes slowly, with hot water bottles or towels soaked in hot water. Never use a naked flame or blowtorch to thaw the pipe – as direct heat may cause permanent damage to the pipes and could also lead to a fire in the home. If you need help, contact Community Gateway on 0800 953 0213 or by visiting our website.

Turn on nearby cold taps (keep the stop tap turned off) as this will relieve pressure on the frozen pipe.

What to do if you have a burst pipe

Sometimes pipes freezing and thawing can cause them to burst. If this happens:

  • Turn off the water supply coming into your property at the stop tap and switch off your boiler.
  • Open all your taps to drain the system as quickly as possible, saving some water in a bucket for flushing toilets and hand washing. When the water stops running, turn all the taps off.
  • Soak up escaping water with towels to limit the damage.
  • If water has leaked near your electrics, do not touch them and switch them off at the fuse box.
  • Call Community Gateway as soon as possible on 0800 953 0213.

Tips to avoid problems in the future

  • Make sure you know where your stop tap is and check it’s working every six months.
  • If you are going away, leave your heating on low.
  • Ensure all pipes in your roof space or loft, as well as pipes in other areas that may be vulnerable to the cold, are insulated and your boiler is serviced.
  • Get a neighbour to check inside your home occasionally, if you go away.

*This information is taken from the Met Office website.