How to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter in 2026
.png)
Why Frozen Pipes Are a Bigger Deal Than They Sound
When water inside a pipe freezes, it expands — and pipework simply isn't built to handle that pressure. The result is often a crack or split that you won't notice until the ice thaws and water starts pouring out, sometimes causing significant damage before it's spotted.
Which Pipes Are Most at Risk
Pipes in unheated or poorly insulated areas are the most vulnerable: lofts, garages, under-floor voids, and any external pipework, including your boiler's condensate pipe.
Tips:Pro Tip: If a tap suddenly loses pressure or stops running entirely during a cold snap, don't ignore it — that's often the first sign of a frozen pipe forming.
Prevention: What Actually Works
Insulate Exposed Pipework
Pipe lagging is cheap, easy to fit yourself, and one of the most effective ways to prevent freezing. Focus on any pipe running through an unheated space, particularly ones close to external walls.
Keep Your Heating on Low, Even When You're Out
Turning your heating off entirely during cold weather — especially if you're away — lets internal temperatures drop low enough for pipes to freeze. A low, constant background heat (even 12–15°C) is usually enough to keep pipework safe.
Don't Forget the Condensate Pipe
Your boiler's condensate pipe carries away the acidic waste water produced during normal operation, and it's often the first thing to freeze in cold weather — because it's usually the pipe most exposed to the outside. If it freezes, your boiler may shut down entirely and display a fault code.
If It Does Freeze
- Locate the pipe (usually a white plastic pipe running from the boiler to an outside drain).
- Pour warm — not boiling — water over the frozen section, working from the boiler end towards the outlet.
- Reset your boiler once the pipe has thawed and check it's working normally.
If this happens repeatedly each winter, it's worth having the pipe re-routed or better insulated so it doesn't keep freezing in the same spot.
Frozen Pipe Prevention Checklist
- Insulate all pipework in lofts, garages, and unheated rooms
- Insulate your boiler's external condensate pipe
- Keep heating on low, even overnight or when away
- Know where your stopcock is, in case a pipe does burst
- Leave loft hatches slightly open to let warm air circulate
- Fix dripping taps — a steady drip is more likely to freeze in the pipe
Frozen pipes are almost always preventable with a small amount of insulation and a sensible heating routine — far cheaper than dealing with a burst pipe and water damage.
If your condensate pipe keeps freezing or you're not sure your pipework is properly protected, our engineers can assess and fix it before winter takes hold.
.png)
.png)
