Prepare your home for winter

Top 3 Danger Cold Spots:

• Outdoor water pipes and taps.
• Pipes in unheated places like attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
• Buildings that may be empty for a few days, like businesses, schools or second homes.

Top Tips

Wrap up your pipes and taps

If you have pipes and taps that are outdoors, or in a cold place like a loft or garage, wrap them with insulation or a lagging kit. We have a limited stock of lagging kits available here.

To order your kit, simply sign up to Get Water Fit, answer a few questions and once you are in, you'll be able to order your free kit. There’s also a number of other water-saving products available.

Outdoor taps

Don’t leave a hose attached to outside taps. If you have one an outside tap, turn off the valve (which may be inside) and drain down the tap and pipes. This stops them becoming damaged.

Fix those drips

Dripping taps can increase the risk of frozen pipes. Fixing it will also save you litres of water every day, saving both energy and money on your water bill.

Check your stop tap

Make sure you know where your stop tap is, and check that it works. You’ll need to get to it quickly, and know how to turn it off, should the worst happen.

Got a water meter?

If your meter is fitted to the wall outside your house, check that the pipes leading to and from it are insulated and there are no gaps between them. Make sure, that the meter cupboard is packed with insulation material, and that the door is firmly shut.

Away from home?

Empty buildings are at particular risk. If you’re leaving your home or business, turn off your stop tap and draining down the system – so there is no water in the system to freeze. If you’re away for a short time, if you can, we suggest keeping your heating on low to help keep your home warm and prevent pipes from freezing.

Keep your home cosy

Keep your home warm and cosy by using draft excluders and closing curtains at night. Also make sure to service the boiler and check your radiators are all working properly.

Insulate the loft

Insulating your loft - or topping up any insulation you already have - will help to heat your home more efficiently, saving you energy and reducing your energy bills. Cavity wall insulation can also help keep you home warm and cut heating bills.

Check your gutters

Check the gutters and drains are clear of leaves or debris. This will help to prevent blockages and flooding and can stop leaks that can cause damage to your walls and roof.

And finally, Don’t forget your family, friends and neighbours

Help them out if they need a hand preparing – and perhaps agree to watch each other’s houses if you’re going to be away.