How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

With winter upon us and cold weather approaching, frozen pipes become a real and costly risk for property owners across the UK. When temperatures drop, unprotected pipework can freeze, crack, and burst, leading to serious water damage, disruption to essential services, and expensive emergency repairs. For homes, care homes, and commercial buildings alike, the impact can be immediate and severe.

Those responsible for maintaining buildings (homeowners, landlords, facilities managers, and care home operators) are often the most affected. In care settings, frozen pipes can compromise heating, hot water, and hygiene, directly impacting vulnerable residents and staff. In commercial environments, burst pipes can halt operations, damage stock, and create health and safety risks.

This guide explains how freezing conditions cause pipe problems and sets out practical, proactive steps to prevent frozen pipes throughout the winter months. From simple household measures to structured maintenance planning, the aim is to help you avoid disruption and protect your property.

Ignite Facilities Ltd supports residential, commercial, and care sector clients across Staffordshire with professional plumbing, heating, and facilities management services, backed by a rapid 1.5-hour emergency response when problems cannot wait.

How Freezing Conditions Cause Pipe Problems

What Happens When Water Freezes in Pipes

Water expands as it freezes. When this happens inside a pipe, pressure builds rapidly, especially where water is trapped between a blockage and a closed tap or valve. Unlike liquid water, ice needs more space, and rigid pipework cannot always accommodate this expansion.

As pressure increases, pipes can develop small cracks or split entirely. Importantly, pipes often burst not while frozen, but when the ice begins to thaw and water starts flowing again. This can release large volumes of water in a short time, causing flooding, structural damage, and electrical hazards.

Common Risk Areas

Some areas of a property are far more vulnerable during freezing temperatures. These include exposed pipes in garages, basements, lofts, and crawl spaces where heating is limited or absent.

Pipes located along external walls, inside unheated service cupboards, or beneath floors are also at higher risk. Outdoor taps, irrigation systems, and sprinkler pipework are particularly vulnerable if not isolated and drained before winter.

Essential Preventative Steps for Homeowners & Property Owners

Keep the Property Warm

Maintaining a consistent internal temperature is one of the most effective ways to prevent frozen pipes. Even when a property is unoccupied, heating should not be turned off completely during cold snaps.

As a general rule, thermostats should be set to maintain temperatures of at least 12–15°C in unused or rarely occupied spaces. In occupied areas, steady background heating is preferable to intermittent high heat, which can leave pipes exposed overnight.

Smart thermostats and programmable timers can help manage temperatures efficiently, ensuring heating remains on during the coldest hours while controlling energy costs.

Insulate Vulnerable Pipes

Pipe insulation is a low-cost measure that delivers long-term protection. Foam tubing, pipe lagging, and cylinder jackets help retain heat and reduce exposure to freezing air.

Priority should be given to pipes in unheated areas such as lofts, garages, under floors, and along exterior walls. While insulation requires a small upfront investment, it can significantly reduce the risk of pipe bursts and the associated repair costs.

Seal Drafts and Gaps

Cold air entering a property can quickly lower temperatures around pipework. Sealing gaps around windows, doors, and service entry points helps keep warm air in and cold air out.

Pay particular attention to openings near sinks, boilers, and pipe runs along external walls. Blocking these drafts reduces the chance of localised freezing, even when the rest of the building remains warm.

Let Taps Drip

During extreme cold, allowing taps to drip slightly can help prevent freezing. Moving water is less likely to freeze than standing water, reducing pressure build-up inside pipes.

This method is especially useful overnight or in properties where certain pipe runs are difficult to insulate fully.

Open Cabinet Doors

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets that conceal pipework can trap cold air. Opening these doors during very cold weather allows warm air from the room to circulate around the pipes, lowering the risk of freezing.

External Taps & Hose Management

Outdoor taps should be turned off at the internal isolation valve and fully drained before winter. Hoses should be disconnected and stored away, and external taps protected with insulating covers.

These simple steps significantly reduce the likelihood of frozen or burst exterior pipework.

Practical Actions for Facilities Managers and Landlords

Winter Readiness Inspections

Facilities managers and landlords should carry out winter readiness inspections before temperatures fall. These checks help identify vulnerable pipework, insulation gaps, and heating issues early.

Inspections should be documented, with clear records of risk areas and remedial actions taken. Boiler performance, thermostat settings, and the condition of insulation should all be reviewed as part of this process.

Proactive Maintenance Contracts

Planned maintenance contracts offer a structured approach to winter property care. Regular inspections and servicing allow issues to be identified and resolved before they escalate into emergencies.

For larger or multi-site properties, this proactive approach reduces disruption, improves safety, and supports compliance responsibilities.

Emergency Preparedness Plans

Even with preventative measures in place, emergencies can still occur. Knowing who to call if a pipe freezes or bursts is essential.

Ensure emergency contact details for a reliable plumbing and heating provider are readily available, and that staff or tenants understand the correct procedures to follow if a problem arises.

What to Do If You Suspect Frozen Pipes

Common Warning Signs

Frozen pipes often show early warning signs. These include reduced or no water flow from taps, unusual banging or whistling noises when taps are opened, and visible frost on exposed pipework.

In some cases, unpleasant odours may be noticed if waste pipes are affected, indicating a developing blockage caused by ice.

Step-by-Step Immediate Actions

If you suspect a pipe has frozen, turn off the water supply at the mains to reduce the risk of flooding.

Gently warm the affected pipe using a hairdryer, warm towels, or a hot water bottle. Always start from the tap end and work back towards the frozen section. Never use naked flames or high-powered heaters.

Avoid using electrical equipment near standing water. If the situation is unclear, or if a pipe has burst, contact a professional plumber immediately.

How Ignite Facilities Can Help

Ignite Facilities provides end-to-end winter plumbing and heating support for residential, commercial, and care sector properties. Our experienced engineers work proactively and reactively to reduce the risk of frozen pipes, burst pipe damage, and heating disruption during the colder months.

Our winter support services include:

• 1.5-hour rapid emergency callout for heating and plumbing issues during freezing conditions
• Safe unblocking of frozen pipework and repairs to leaks or burst pipes
• Winter readiness inspections to identify vulnerable pipework and system weaknesses
• Seasonal boiler servicing to maintain reliable, consistent heating
• Advice on pipe insulation, frost protection, and cold weather risk reduction
• Practical guidance and clear documentation for landlords and facilities managers

By choosing Ignite Facilities, you gain a reliable winter support partner focused on prevention, fast response, and long-term protection. From planned maintenance to urgent callouts, we help keep buildings warm, water systems flowing, and disruption to an absolute minimum throughout the winter season.

Seasonal Checklist: Preventing Frozen Pipes

• Set thermostats to safe winter temperatures
• Insulate vulnerable internal and external pipes
• Shut off and drain external taps
• Open internal doors and cabinets to circulate warmth
• Log maintenance dates and inspection actions
• Arrange a winter readiness visit from Ignite Facilities

Conclusion

Preventing frozen pipes is far more cost-effective and less disruptive than dealing with emergency repairs after a burst occurs. Simple measures such as maintaining background heating, insulating pipework, and planning ahead can significantly reduce winter risks.

For landlords, facilities managers, and care home operators, preparation protects property, supports compliance, and ensures continuity of essential services. With proactive planning and professional support from Ignite Facilities Ltd, you can face the winter months with confidence and peace of mind.