Winter is well and truly here now and we've already had a storm and seen temperatures dip below freezing on more than one occasion.

When temperatures drop below zero it can cause outside water pipes to freezes, which could leave you without water or heating.

Here are some handy tips on how you might prevent this problem and what to do if it does happen.

Avoid freezing pipes in Winter

  • If you leave your house for long periods of time, it's advised to keep your heating on low to avoid pipes in your house from freezing or bursting.
  • Check for leaks – if you experience an unexpected increase in your bill or a drop in water pressure, this could be an early sign of a leak and should be investigated.
  • Find your water stop tap and make sure it can be accessed quickly (usually found under your kitchen sink).

No water? 

If you find your heating or water goes off suddenly during the winter months, it may be that you have a frozen supply or outlet pipe.

Firstly, check with a neighbour to see if they’re experiencing the same issue. If they have a loss of water too, it may be the result of a mains break or emergency in your area, check to see on Up My Street.

But if your neighbours do have running water, then it’s likely your pipes have frozen.

You can get your water flowing again with the simple steps below.

***However, please note that if your pipe bursts, you must turn off the water in your home immediately and report an emergency repair on 0161 448 4200.***

Steps to take if you have frozen pipes:

  • Find your cold water stop tap and turn off your water first (your stop tap may be located under your kitchen sink).
  • Determine which taps are affected by turning on the taps in your home one at a time (if water isn’t coming out properly then that may mean the pipe that leads to the tap is frozen).
  • Check any pipes you can see for frost damage or unusual bulges (e.g. the pipes under your kitchen sink may be accessible and visible).
  • If the pipe leading to the taps is frozen then turn those taps on. That will let the water out, once the ice in the pipe starts to melt.
  • Thaw out the pipes you can see by applying heat to the frozen areas. To do this you can use warm water from your kettle or a warm towel. If you can get water from a neighbour, you could try a hot water bottle to slowly thaw the pipe. 

    ***Important: Never use a naked flame and keep electrical items away from water.***

  • The outlet pipe is found on the outside wall near the kitchen window or back door. Try pouring some lukewarm water from your kettle over the pipe to try to defrost it. But never use boiling water as you may scold yourself.
  • If a burst pipe occurs - turn your stop tap off, close all taps and report an emergency repair on 0161 448 4200 and switch off your boiler/immersion heater.