leaking water being cleared up with sponge

How to prevent frozen pipes

Tips and Guides | 02.12.2025

Frozen pipes that burst can cause significant damage to your home and its contents, resulting in substantial disruption and costly repairs.

During colder months, some pipes are at risk of freezing – especially in unheated areas, such as basements and attics. When water inside the pipes turns to ice, it expands, often causing the pipe to crack or burst.

The results can be devastating – the average home insurance claim for burst pipes caused by freezing weather was more than £17,000 in 2023, according to figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).¹

The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to help keep your plumbing in good working order and avoid an expensive bill or the need to make an insurance claim.

Taking precautions is even more critical with the surge in energy costs, as many of us attempt to reduce our heating bills, which often means using the central heating less.

Must know

You can buy foam lagging to insulate your pipes inexpensively from DIY stores or online and fit it yourself.²

In short

Wrap pipes in lagging
If you can, select an anti-frost setting for your heating system
Shut off the mains water supply if you’re away from home during freezing weather
Check that the radiators are working properly
Have your boiler serviced
Fit draught excluders around doors and windows

HOW TO CHECK FOR FROZEN PIPES

You may already have pipes that are frozen or close to freezing – below are the signs to look out for.³ If you spot these or evidence of damage, call a plumber to stop the problem from getting worse:

Foul smells from the tap or drain
If the pipe is frozen, the only way the odour can escape is back up in the direction of your home.
Little to no water coming from the pipe
If you turn on the tap and only a slight trickle or no water comes out, the pipe leading to the tap may be frozen.
Frost on the exterior of the pipe
If you see visible frost on the pipe, this may serve as a warning that the pipe is on its way to being completely frozen.
The temperature of the pipe
When the temperature falls to 0°C (32°F), your pipes are likely to freeze.

HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK OF BURST OR FROZEN PIPES

Here are some tips on preventing frozen pipes, striking a balance between staying warm and keeping energy bills low.

If you have a smart thermostat – a Wi-Fi-enabled device that remotely controls your home’s heating select its frost-protection setting.⁴This setting helps prevent frozen pipes from freezing by automatically turning on heating when the temperature drops to a certain level, typically around 5°C (41°F).⁵
Check your radiators are working well by ‘bleeding’ them. Bleeding releases any trapped air, which prevents hot water from circulating properly. Move furniture away from radiators to prevent it from absorbing heat and stopping rooms from getting warm.
Have your boiler serviced annually to ensure it is safe and running efficiently. Always use a Gas Safe-registered engineer to carry out the work.
When planning to be away from home and temperatures are likely to drop, reduce the risk of pipes bursting by turning off the main water supply stopcock (or shut-off valve). Of course, you’ll need to know where it is first! Adding isolation valves⁵to sinks, toilets or water tanks in the loft means you can shut off water to just one area, so you can deal with a burst pipe without losing the water supply to your whole home.
Wrapping pipes in lagging is one of the most effective ways to prevent pipes from freezing. Typically made from materials such as foam, rubber or polyethene, lagging creates an insulating barrier that maintains the temperature of the water inside a pipe.²
Dripping taps can freeze and block pipes. If you discover any, you may need to replace the washer to fix the problem.
Outside taps can freeze when temperatures drop. A simple way to prevent this is by using a tap cover, which you can pick up easily from most DIY stores.
Fit draught excluders around doors and windows, in between floorboards, and anywhere that heat can escape from your home, such as hatches and any other gaps in your home. According to the Energy Saving Trust, professional draught proofing of windows and doors could cost around £230.⁶ However, you can make improvements yourself for a cost much lower than that. See our guide on How to winter-proof your windows.

HOW TO REACT IF A PIPE FREEZES

Once you’ve discovered a frozen pipe, shut off the water supply to it using the mains water supply stopcock or the nearest isolation valve, if one is fitted.

Open the tap that is closest to the pipe and thaw it out using a gentle heat source, such as a hot water bottle or hair dryer (from a safe distance).

Do not be tempted to use an open flame or boiling water to thaw a pipe, or a hammer to dislodge ice, as these could cause the pipe to burst.

DOES MY HOME INSURANCE COVER BURST PIPES?

Home insurance policies usually include cover for burst pipes and water leaks¹, as long as it’s not your fault. However, they may not include your expenses for hiring a plumber to locate and repair the leak. So, check with your insurance company to find out what is and isn’t covered.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DO HAVE A BURST PIPE

When a pipe bursts, it’s essential to stop the flow of water as quickly as possible to limit the damage to your home and its contents. Do the following:

Turn off the water supply at the main stopcock.
Turn off the stopcock in your cold-water tank
Switch off the central heating system and any other water heating installations to avoid further damage.
If you notice a ceiling is bulging, place a bucket underneath and create a small hole for water to escape through.
Find the source of the burst.

If it is the cold-water tank, empty it by running all the cold taps and flushing all toilets several times after you have turned off your water supply.
Drain the hot-water system. First, turn off the boiler and immersion heater (if you have one). Then, turn off the cold feed pipe to the cylinder and run all the hot water taps to empty the pipes.

Photograph and make a note of all damage, but keep any damaged items, as you may need these if you make a claim.
Contact your insurance company, and they will advise you on the next steps to take.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU MAKE A CLAIM

When there is significant damage to your home and contents, your insurer may assign a loss adjuster – a specialist who assesses large insurance claims⁷ – to manage your claim and advise you on the best course of action.

The loss adjuster will instruct a professional restoration company to handle the repairs. Once your house is dry, a Certificate of Dryness is usually issued.⁸ Personal items may be either replaced or restored, depending on the level of damage, and subject to the terms and conditions of your home insurance policy. For more guidance, visit Flood & Freeze: What is covered by your insurance policy?

Find out more about our home insurance.

Sources

Defaqto 5 Star rated cover for your car

Defaqto 5 Star rated cover that's packed with benefits

Choose from three levels of Defaqto rated cover