How to stop pipes from freezing and bursting during winter

Costly bursts around your home can be caused by water pipes freezing in cold weather, leading to damage and unwanted stress. Learn how to prevent your pipes from freezing to help you avoid this

Why do frozen pipes burst?

If your pipes get too cold, they can freeze and water may stop flowing through them.

Water expands when it freezes. If it has nowhere to go, it pushes against your pipes and can cause them to crack and burst. You might not realise straight away, but when the ice melts, water will leak from the burst and could damage your home or possessions.

Knowing how to protect pipes from freezing and avoid burst pipes is fairly easy. You just need to lag your pipes by wrapping them in a cheap, foam tubing called lagging.

How to lag your pipes

To do this, you'll need: a tape measure; a pen and paper; lagging (a.k.a. pipe insulation. You can get this from a DIY store or plumbing merchant and they will advise you on the best type for your house); a craft knife; and duct tape.

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Measure how much you'll need

Before buying lagging, measure the length and diameter of the pipes you wish to lag and jot these down. Remember to include the pipes in the coldest areas of your property – for example, those in your loft and outside.

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Turn off your heating

Once you've got the lagging you need, turn off your heating and hot water and leave your pipes to cool.

A worker cutting material to go around a pipe

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Cut your lagging to size

Use a craft knife to cut your lagging into sections to match the length of the pipes you want to lag. If your lagging is not already semi-split, use a knife to split one side along the length of the tube so you can insert the pipe into the opening.

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Wrap the lagging around the pipes

Open the split and push your pipe into the gap so it is snugly wrapped inside the lagging. Every 30cm or so, use duct tape to seal the tubing along the areas you have already lagged.

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Joins or bends in the pipes

If you reach a join or bend in the pipe, cut along the width of the lagging to allow it to bend and follow the pipe. Seal any joins with duct tape for a secure fit.

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Turn on your heating and hot water

Once you've finished, turn your heating and hot water back on to keep your home toasty in the cold weather, knowing you have taken steps to avoid pipes freezing.

What to do if you have a frozen tap or pipe

You should try to insulate your pipes to stop them freezing, but if you do you notice a frozen tap or pipe at home, follow these steps:

Turn off the water supply at the stop tap straight away.
Keep your boiler or immersion heater switched off.
Check to see if the pipe has burst. If it has, use a towel to block off any leaking water and contact an approved plumber as soon as you can.
If not, open the nearest tap. Starting at the end closest to the tap, gently heat frozen sections of pipe with a hot cloth, hot water bottles or a towel soaked in hot water.
Never use a naked flame or blowtorch to thaw the pipe – it's dangerous and can cause more damage.
Don’t leave taps dripping or running as the water may not drain down the plughole if the pipe below is frozen.

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A residential street on a snowy winter's day

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How to stop pipes from freezing and bursting during winter

Why do frozen pipes burst?