How to prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting in the winter

Frozen water pipes can burst in cold weather – leading to damage, repair costs and stress. Preventing your pipes from freezing can help you avoid this.

Why do frozen pipes burst?

If your pipes get too cold, they can freeze and water may stop flowing through them.

Water expands when it freezes. If it has nowhere to go, it pushes against your pipes and can cause them to crack and burst. You might not realise straight away, but when the ice melts, water will leak from the burst and could damage your home or possessions.

Repairing a burst and replacing damaged furniture, decorations or belongings can be costly.

Fortunately, protecting your pipes from freezing and avoiding burst pipes is not. You just need to wrap them in a cheap, foam tubing called lagging.

How to lag your pipes

To do this, you'll need: a tape measure; a pen and paper; lagging (a.k.a. pipe insulation. You can get this from a DIY store or plumbing merchant and they will advise you on the best type for your house); a craft knife; and duct tape.

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Measure how much you'll need

Before buying lagging, measure the length and diameter of the pipes you wish to lag and jot these down. Remember to include the pipes in the coldest areas of your property – for example, those in your loft and outside.

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Turn off your heating

Once you've got the lagging you need, turn off your heating and hot water and leave your pipes to cool.

A worker cutting material to go around a pipe

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Cut your lagging to size

Use a craft knife to cut your lagging into sections to match the length of the pipes you want to lag. If your lagging is not already semi-split, use a knife to split one side along the length of the tube so you can insert the pipe into the opening.

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Wrap the lagging around the pipes

Open the split and push your pipe into the gap so it is snugly wrapped inside the lagging. Every 30cm or so, use duct tape to seal the tubing along the areas you have already lagged.

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Joins or bends in the pipes

If you reach a join or bend in the pipe, cut along the width of the lagging to allow it to bend and follow the pipe. Seal any joins with duct tape for a secure fit.

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Turn on your heating and hot water

Once you've finished, turn your heating and hot water back on to keep your home toasty in the cold weather.

A residential street on a snowy winter's day

Preparing your home for winter

As well as protecting your pipes and preventing them from freezing, there are other things you can do to prepare for winter.

To help keep your home warm and safe during the cold weather, read our top tips for getting winter-ready.

Prepare your home for winter

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