Southway Housing Trust
A not-for-profit landlord managing and improving over 5,900 homes in South Manchester
Prevent bursts & leaks
Hot tips for cold snaps
Freeze out trouble: when it's icy outside keep your pipes warm to avoid bursts
Winter weather can burst your pipes and ruin your home. Follow these hot tips to keep the warmth in and the plumber out!
Prevention is better than cure
Find your stopcock - the tap that turns off the main water supply. Find it now rather than look for it when there's water pouring everywhere! It's probably in the kitchen near the sink.
Get to know your heating controls
Central heating thermostats and time switches can be complicated. Get advice from a heating engineer or energy advisor. Contact Manchester City Council's energy efficiency experts.
When you're at home
If you have central heating use the thermostat to keep the temperature comfortable. During the day a good setting is between 18°C and 22°C. If it's freezing outside set the heating to stay on continuously, but turn the thermostat lower for the night. Remember, the higher the thermostat the more fuel you use.
When you're away
If you've got central heating and you're away in cold weather, leave the heating on continuously with the thermostat right down to 6°C. This will stop your pipes freezing, but it won't cost much. If you haven't got central heating turn the water off at the stopcock and drain off all the cold water. Then turn off the immersion heater. If you have a solid fuel boiler, let the fire die out. Then drain off all the hot water.
Burst or frozen pipes?
Find out what to do if a pipe bursts.
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