Cold weather advice
In cold weather - preventing frozen pipes
When the weather turns cold, there are a number of precautions you should take to stop your boiler breaking down or your pipes freezing or bursting -
- Make sure all outside taps are switched off at the internal isolation valve - then open the outside tap to empty the water in the pipes.
- Leave your heating on a constant low temperature rather than turning on twice a day at a high temperature - the difference in cost is negligible.
- If you've got a white pipe protruding externally from where your boiler is situated check if this is frozen up. If it is, boil some water, cool it slightly then pour over the pipe to thaw.
- If your boiler has switched itself off - the external pipes could be frozen. Open the cupboard where the cold mains water comes in - usually under the kitchen sink. Empty and use a fan heater to thaw the pipes out. This may take a few hours. Never leave a heater unattended.
Stay warm, stay safe, save money
We also provide some top tips for staying warm in cold weather on our Staying warm in your house page.
Last update: 09/06/2011
