How to prevent pipes freezing

During the severe winter of 2010 / 2011 there were a record number of house insurance claims due to burst pipes in properties caused by below freezing temperatures. By turning off the heating whilst at work or away visiting friends and family, people are under the impression that they will save a few pounds on their energy bills.

In reality, when outside temperatures drop and pipes burst this proves false economy, as a house flood and water damage can almost be as devastating as a fire, and once the loss of any insurance excess and increased premiums for upto 5 years are taken into consideration, that extra pound or two cost in background heating, can run into thousands in real terms, not to mention the possessions of sentimental value which can not be replaced by an insurance claim.

Here are some tips on preventing your water pipes from freezing during the winter months, which do not cost the earth and could save your property and your insurance excess.

1) If you have pipes in the loft, consider lagging them with proper pipe insulation which can be wrapped around pipes, in houses which are rural or detached, then the level of lagging should be at least 70mm – 75mm thick. Whilst this lagging is not normally available in DIY shops, it can be purchased from plumbers merchants.

2) Whilst a good level of loft insulation can save £££’s on energy bills for heating the house, it also increases the chances of burst pipes in the loft, as heat cannot rise from the main rooms below, and whilst those rooms remain warm, the loft remains cold, and the risk of freezing temperatures increases. Where loft insulation is present, consider opening the loft hatch to allow warm air to circulate from below.

3) If you have central heating, always leave it on and set to a background heat when you are out, especially overnight and in December to February when daytime temperatures below freezing are more likely. The heating doesn’t have to be left on full blast, and If possible leave the thermostat set at 10c, and if you don’t have a digital wall thermostat to control your central heating, then consider fitting one, as it will soon pay for itself in energy savings.

4) In properties with Electric Heating and no gas central heating, if you do not wish to run the expensive Electric Storage heating, then consider purchasing a small thermostatically controlled oil filled radiator and leaving it on its frost / lowest setting. This will save significant amounts of money, and whilst the heat given out on a low setting will not comfortably heat the room, it will be enough to successfully keep the loft above freezing, preventing burst pipes.

5) Consider fitting tubular electric heaters close to the pipes / tank in the loft, these cost very little to run (around 60w – 120w) which means 10 – 12 hours of running for one unit (KW/H) of electricity, which for most people is less than 14p for 10 hours of pipe protection. You can even use a digital thermostat, set to around 5c, so these heaters switch on automatically when the temperature drops to below 5c, and off again when it gets milder, saving even more electricity and removing the need to remember to switch them on. Thanks to their low Electricity consumption, tubular heaters can often be connected to the lighting circuits already found running through lofts, so installation is relatively easy (Check with Electrician if unsure).

6) Use special heated pipe tape, to wrap around exposed pipes in loft, porch, sheds etc, in order to prevent freezing. Heated Pipe Tape, also has a low electricity consumption of around 10 watts per metre, meaning 6 Metres can be run for around the same cost as a single 60w light bulb

7) Leave one or two cold water taps slightly open, allowing for a small flow of water through the pipes, as you may remember from school, running water does not freeze. (but not recommended for those on water meters!)

For more information on keeping warm this winter and the appliances to do so, check out the advice given on Electric Heating Costs

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