Frozen pipes: how to prevent, spot and fix them

What to do when the temperature drops well below zero — and what to do if a pipe has already frozen or burst.

Keep the heat on

Keep the house at 15°C or warmer, even when you are away. Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls.

A slow drip keeps water moving in pipes that run along outside walls.

If a pipe bursts, turning off the main valve fast limits the damage. Find it now, not during a flood.

Little or no water from a tap, frost on a pipe or a bulge are the signs. Warm it slowly with a hair dryer — never an open flame.

Shut off the water, turn off power to wet areas, take photos for insurance and call a plumber.

At what temperature do pipes freeze?

Pipes in unheated or outside-wall spaces are at risk once it stays around −7°C or colder for a few hours.

Does home insurance cover burst pipes?

Often yes for sudden bursts, but many policies exclude damage if the home was left unheated. Check your policy.