My water supply
Plummeting temperatures can cause exposed pipework to freeze and in some cases burst.
This is not just inconvenient – having cold water leak all over your home is expensive and can ruin treasured items.
It's quick and easy to prevent this damage - by giving your home a hug for winter - it could help save hundreds of pounds in repairing damage to flooring or furniture. Data from the Association of British Insurers shows that during a spell of freezing weather, a claim to repair a burst pipe costs an average of £8,800 – and can often be more.
H: Heat your home
Keep the heat on in very frosty conditions.
Check your radiators
Check your boiler
Minimise draughts
U: Understand your stop tap (where is it and how do you use it?)
G: Get your pipes lagged
It's quick and easy to prevent this damage - by giving your home a hug for winter - it could help save hundreds of pounds in repairing damage to flooring or furniture. Data from the Association of British Insurers shows that during a spell of freezing weather, a claim to repair a burst pipe costs an average of £8,800 – and can often be more.
Top tips
Here are our top tips from Captain Efficient. Please check that your home is ready and ask your relatives to check too.
H: Heat your home
❄️ Don’t let your home get too cold.
![Graphics stating "keep your home heated"](/media/3824/home_heated_graphic.png)
Keep the heat on in very frosty conditions.
- Set your thermostat to keep a low level of heat (no lower than 14ºC) throughout the night and while you are out during the day.
- If you're worried about your bills, contact Citizens Advice on 03444 111 444 or visit the Citizens Advice website or the Energy Saving Trust.
Check your radiators
- If they aren’t heating all the way to the top, they could have air in them and need bleeding.
- You'll need a radiator key (available from a DIY shop) to open the little valve at the top, or on the side.
- Make sure your heating is off and the radiators are cool.
- Hold a cloth next to the valve as you turn the key and listen out for the air hissing.
- As soon as you see a drip of water, close it up again.
Check your boiler
- Have your boiler serviced, so you know your heating will work properly.
Minimise draughts
- Close doors and windows in unheated parts of the property.
U: Understand your stop tap (where is it and how do you use it?)
❄️ Find out where your stop taps are and how to use them
![Graphic stating "Know your stop tap"](/media/3826/stop_tap_graphic.png)
Repair costs can be significantly reduced if the stop tap is used to turn off the water as quickly as possible – so knowing where your stop tap is and checking it regularly to make sure it is working is essential.
Find your stop tap
- Inside stop taps are usually under the kitchen sink, or in a downstairs toilet or cupboard - you will need it if you have a burst.
Check your stop tap is working.
- If you can’t turn the tap - you may have to call a plumber for help. Contact a Watersafe approved plumber.
Fix dripping taps
- Even a small trickle can result in a frozen pipe.
G: Get your pipes lagged
❄️ Insulate all cisterns, water tanks and exposed pipework
![Graphic stating "Insulate external pipes with lagging"](/media/3825/insulate_pipes_graphic.png)
Lag all exposed pipes
- Lagging will prevent them freezing - if they freeze, they might burst.
- It’s easier to lag your pipes than deal with a burst pipe.
- Foam lagging can be bought cheaply from DIY shops or online or you can claim free lagging from Get Water Fit.
- Make sure there are no gaps at bends, valves or fittings.
- Find out how to lag your pipes in this video from Waterwise.
Insulate water tanks
- Lagging water tanks reduces the amount of heat lost, so you spend less money heating water up, and hot water stays hotter for longer.
- Do not insulate beneath water tanks in the loft as this will prevent warm air getting to them and could cause freezing.
By taking a few simple steps we can all help protect against the cold weather this winter – so go on, give your a home a hug!
Involve your kids
Can you challenge your kids to give your home a hug and check it's winter ready? Or check out our home-learning resources on the wonderful world of water.
Useful links