Protecting pipes against freezing in winter
In frost, water pipes can freeze and even burst — with major water damage when thawing. With a few measures you can prevent that.
Pipes in unheated spaces are vulnerable: the crawl space, garage, loft and the outside tap. Frozen water expands and can cause the pipe to burst.
How to keep pipes frost-free
Preparation in autumn prevents damage in winter.
Drain the outside tap
Close the inside tap to outside in autumn and let the outside tap drain.
Insulate vulnerable pipes
Pipe insulation or a heating cable in the crawl space, garage and loft prevents freezing.
Keep it just warm enough
If you're away, leave the heating on a low setting rather than turning it off completely.
Frozen pipe?
Turn on the tap and thaw carefully with a hairdryer or warm cloth — never with an open flame.
Burst pipe
Turn off the stopcock, isolate the power and call a plumber. See also our water damage action plan.
Away for a long time in winter
Consider turning off the water and draining the pipes.
Recognising and properly dealing with a frozen or burst pipe
Water expands when it freezes. In a pipe the ice has nowhere to go, so the pressure builds up. A copper or plastic pipe can burst as a result. The tricky thing is that you often only notice this when the ice melts. As long as the water is frozen, the ice keeps the crack sealed.
How to recognise a frozen pipe
- In freezing conditions, one tap produces no or almost no water, whilst other taps work.
- You see frost or ice on a pipe in the crawl space, the garage or in the loft.
- The outside tap gives nothing, or the pipe to outside feels ice-cold.
- Your boiler is showing a fault during severe frost. With a condensing boiler, the condensate drain outside may have frozen.
Safe thawing
Turn on the tap of the frozen pipe so meltwater can escape. Warm the pipe slowly with a hairdryer on a low setting or with cloths you've soaked in warm water. Start at the tap end and work towards the ice. Never use open flame, a blowtorch or a heat gun. You could damage the pipe or cause a fire. If water comes out of a crack after thawing, turn off the main tap immediately.
After the thaw: check your pipes
After a frost period, check vulnerable spots for damp patches or drips. Also do the water meter test: turn off all taps and see if the meter stops. If it keeps running, there is a leak, even if you cannot see it yet.
What the plumber does
- Replace or repair a burst pipe.
- Relocate pipes that freeze often to a warmer spot or insulate them properly.
- Fit a frost-free outside tap, with the valve indoors.
- Better protect or relocate a condensate drain that runs outside.
- With a hidden leak, locate the spot with leak detection, without unnecessary breaking.
Extra vigilance with an empty house
Going away for a while in winter, is a property empty or being renovated? Then leave the heating on a low setting and open the doors of kitchen cupboards if pipes run along an outside wall there. That way warm air can reach them. Ask someone to check inside now and then. If you're away for long, turn off the stopcock and drain the pipes. A leak then won't become a flood.
Would you like to have your pipes inspected or modified before winter begins? Read more on our plumbing page.
Related services
Need help? View the related service or call us directly.
Good to know
Short answers to questions we're often asked.
In freezing weather, one tap gives no or little water, while other taps work fine. Sometimes you see frost or ice on the pipe in the crawl space, garage or loft.
No. That can damage the pipe and cause fire. Use a hairdryer on a low setting or warm, wet cloths. Turn the tap on and start from the tap end.
The ice keeps the crack sealed as long as it's frozen. Only when it thaws does the water flow out through the crack. Always check your pipes after a frost period.
Yes. With a condensing boiler, the condensate drain sometimes runs outside. If it freezes, the condensate water can't drain away and the boiler goes into fault mode. Have the drain better protected or relocated afterwards.
Turn off the stopcock immediately and switch off the power in the room where water can reach electrics. Then call a plumber. PandFix is available on 070 783 0224.
Need help in The Hague or the Randstad?
Feel free to call us for advice or an appointment. In emergencies we're available 24/7.