Every winter we get calls from Hull homeowners dealing with frozen pipes and burst fittings. Most of this damage is preventable. A bit of preparation in autumn can save you hundreds (or thousands) in repairs.
1. Know Where Your Stopcock Is
If a pipe bursts, the first thing you need to do is shut off the water. Check our guide to finding and using your stopcock. Make sure it turns freely. If it is seized, get it replaced before winter hits.
2. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Pipes in unheated spaces are the ones that freeze first. That means:
- Loft and roof space
- Garage
- Under the kitchen sink on an outside wall
- Pipes running along external walls in utility rooms
Foam pipe lagging from any hardware shop costs a few pounds and takes 10 minutes to fit. It’s the cheapest winter protection you can buy.
3. Bleed Your Radiators
Trapped air stops radiators heating up properly. Bleed them before you start using the heating regularly. See our radiator troubleshooting guide for step-by-step instructions.
4. Check Your Heating Works Before You Need It
Don’t wait until the first cold snap to switch the heating on. Run it for an hour in October and check that all radiators are warming up. Finding a problem early means you can get it fixed at standard rates, not emergency prices in December.
5. Fix Dripping Taps and Running Toilets
A dripping tap wastes water and money all year round, but in winter it’s worse. If the drip is on a pipe that runs through a cold area, the constant trickle of water makes a freeze more likely. Fix it before it becomes a bigger problem.
6. Keep the Heating On Low If You Go Away
If you’re leaving the house empty over winter (even for a weekend), don’t turn the heating off completely. Set it to 12 to 15 degrees. This keeps the pipes above freezing without running up a big bill.
If you’re going away for longer, consider draining the system or asking a neighbour to check the house.
What to Do If a Pipe Freezes
If you turn on a tap and nothing comes out on a cold morning, a pipe has probably frozen. Here’s what to do:
- Turn off the stopcock to prevent flooding if the pipe has cracked.
- Open the affected tap so water can flow once it thaws.
- Warm the pipe gently with a hot water bottle or a hairdryer. Start from the tap end and work back.
- Never use a blowtorch or open flame on a frozen pipe.
- If you can’t find the frozen section or the pipe has burst, call 07450 332 474.
Get Your Plumbing Winter Ready
If you want help lagging pipes, bleeding radiators, or replacing a seized stopcock, give us a call on 07450 332 474. We cover Hull, Beverley, Cottingham, Hessle, and the surrounding area.
