How can I avoid burst or frozen pipes

If your pipes burst or freeze, follow these steps and call us straight away for help.

Call our Housing Repairs team on 01395 517458 (during office hours) or our out of hours team on 0330 678 2382 (between 5:00pm and 8:30am) to report any issues.

Check your stopcock

Know where your stopcock is and make sure you can turn it off.

Test it by turning it off and checking that the water in your kitchen tap stops.

If your stopcock doesn’t work or is hard to reach, contact us. We may be able to replace it or fit a remote switch called a ‘sure stop’.

If your pipes freeze

Turn off the water at the stopcock.
Slowly warm the pipe using a hot water bottle or towel soaked in hot water. Start at the tap end.
You can try pouring hot water near your boiler’s condensing pipe.
Switch off your boiler and immersion heater.
Turn on all taps to drain water.

Don’t leave taps dripping or running if the pipe below is frozen – the water may not drain.

If you have a burst pipe

Turn off the water at the stopcock.
If water is touching electrical wires or switches, turn off the electricity at the mains.
Switch off central heating or immersion heaters.
Open all taps to reduce flooding, then turn them off once the pipes are fixed.
Soak up water with thick towels or block it off.
Call EDDC for a plumber.
If you live in flats, warn neighbours below about possible leaks.

Preventing frozen or burst pipes

Keep your central heating on at least 10°C.

If you go away, leave the heating on a little each day and ask a friend or neighbour to check the house.

Insulate water tanks and pipes, especially in unheated areas like lofts and garages.

If your home will be empty for a long time, turn off the stopcock and drain the pipes.

Fix dripping taps – even small leaks can freeze.

Minimise draughts by closing doors and windows to unheated parts of the house.

Make sure your boiler has been serviced.
If you have a ‘sure stop’ switch, turn it off when leaving home for a few days.