How to avoid frozen and burst pipes in winter

The Association of British Insurers recorded ‘escape of water’ claims amounted to £368 million in the last quarter of 2022.¹

‘Escape of water’ can refer to a leaking tap, faulty washing machine or a blocked toilet. It can also be a term used in connection to burst water pipes.

Water expands when it’s frozen. If pipes are old or corroded, they may be prone to breaking, bursting, buckling, or splitting if they freeze.

How to prevent frozen pipes

While there is no failsafe method to prevent water pipes from freezing, there are certain steps you can take to mitigate the risks.

1. Insulate your pipework

Lagging water pipes, the water tank and outside water taps is essential in preventing pipes from freezing. You can do-it-yourself by buying insulation for pipes and taps and a water jacket for your tank at a hardware store, or you can get the help of a professional plumber. Remember to cover bends, fittings, valves, and connections. This is especially important for thatched and listed properties as they can be colder than modern houses.

2. Service your boiler during the summer or early autumn months

Checking your boiler is in good working order needs to be undertaken once a year by a qualified boiler and heating engineer (unless you notice problems with the boiler in the interim).² To find a registered and qualified engineer in your area, visit the online resource Gas Safe Register. For more on how to keep your boiler in good working condition, our Advice Zone article provides suggestions on how and why to keep an eye on your heating system.

3. Keep the temperature in your property temperate

Keep the temperature warm enough to prevent water pipes from freezing, especially in what can be colder areas such as attics, garages and basements. British Gas recommends keeping the thermostat to a minimum of 7°C.³ If there are unheated areas such as the attic or cupboards, you could open the door or hatch and encourage warm airflow to enter.

4. Turn off the water if you leave your property unattended

Turning the water off if you leave the house for even a few days can help prevent escape of water escalating into irreparable damage. After you have turned off the stopcock, drain the water in the system by running the taps to clear any residue and prevent surplus water from freezing.

Are burst pipes covered by building insurance?

Most high quality thatched home insurance policies will cover you for burst pipes, but it’s worth checking with your insurer if you’re not sure on your policy and what it includes. It’s also worth checking whether your insurance covers you for water damage if the property is unoccupied – even for a few days.

If you need to make a claim for burst pipes and water damage here are a few key points:

• Following on from a burst pipe, turn off the stopcock and the heating system immediately to prevent further escape of water.
• Turn off all appliances and dry them out.
• Contact your insurance broker or insurer immediately.
• Document the damage with photographs and videos of wet items or damage to the structure of the property.
• If you can, show proof of insulated pipes and water tanks, and a record of your property at optimum temperature.
• Keep receipts of any works undertaken in relation to burst pipes and water damage.

If you have any questions about your thatched or listed home insurance policy, please get in touch.

Alternatively, email us at:

heritageclientsupport@lloydwhyte.com

What matters to you, matters to us

1. https://www.zurich.co.uk/news-and-insight/escape-of-water-perils-of-plastic
2. https://www.britishgas.co.uk/home-services/boilers-and-heating/guides/boiler-servicing.html
3. https://www.britishgas.co.uk/the-source/beat-the-weather/prevent-frozen-pipes.html

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