When water freezes inside a pipe it expands — and that pressure can split copper and plastic pipework alike. A single burst pipe can flood a home in minutes, so a little prevention goes a long way. Here's how to protect your home this winter.
1. Insulate exposed pipes
Any pipework in lofts, garages or under floorboards should be wrapped with foam lagging. It's cheap, easy to fit and dramatically reduces the risk of freezing.
2. Keep your heating on low
When you're out or away, set your thermostat to a low but steady temperature (around 12–14°C). The trickle of warmth keeps water moving and pipes above freezing.
3. Find your stop valve
If the worst happens, you need to shut the water off fast. Make sure every adult in the house knows where the internal stop valve is — usually under the kitchen sink.
4. Fix dripping taps
A dripping tap might seem harmless, but in cold weather the slow flow can freeze in the pipe. Replace worn washers before winter sets in.
5. Service your boiler early
Don't wait for the first cold snap — a serviced boiler is far less likely to fail when you need it most.
What if a pipe does burst?
- Turn off the water at the stop valve immediately.
- Switch off your boiler and central heating.
- Open all taps to drain the system and relieve pressure.
- Call an emergency plumber right away.
Goodman Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency call-outs across London. Save our number — 07533 829648 — before you need it.