How to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter

When temperatures drop in Northampton, frozen pipes can quickly turn into a plumbing emergency  leading to leaks, burst pipes, and costly repairs. Luckily, with a few simple precautions, you can protect your home and avoid winter plumbing disasters.

At DM Emergency Plumbing, we’re available 24/7 to deal with emergencies, but we also believe prevention is the best approach. Here’s our expert advice on how to stop your pipes from freezing this winter.

1. Insulate Your Pipes

Pipes in unheated areas like lofts, garages, and under floors are most at risk.
Use foam pipe insulation sleeves or lagging from any DIY store to wrap exposed pipes  it’s quick, inexpensive, and highly effective.

2. Keep Heating On Low

If you’re going away during cold weather, don’t turn your heating off completely.
Set it to come on periodically or maintain a low background temperature (around 12–15°C) to keep water moving through your pipes and prevent freezing.

3. Open Cupboards and Loft Hatches

Open kitchen and bathroom cupboard doors to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
If you have pipes in the loft, slightly open the hatch to let heat rise and prevent cold spots from forming.

4. Fix Leaks Before Winter

Even small leaks can lead to frozen sections and pipe bursts.
Check around your taps, joints, and outdoor connections for drips.
If you spot a leak, call DM Emergency Plumbing right away  we handle leaks, burst pipes, and emergency repairs across Northampton all year round.

5. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses

Drain and disconnect garden hoses and shut off the outside tap stopcock if you have one.
Leaving hoses connected traps water inside the pipework, which can freeze and cause cracks.

6. Find Your Stopcock

Knowing how to quickly turn off your water supply can save you from serious flooding if a pipe bursts.
Your indoor stopcock is usually under the kitchen sink, and your outside water meter (in a round or square plastic cover) is typically near the front of your property or in the garden.

If you’re unsure where yours is, ask our plumbers  we’ll help you locate it during a service visit.

7. What to Do If a Pipe Freezes

If your pipe freezes:

1. Turn off the water supply at the stopcock.

2. Open nearby taps to relieve pressure.

3. Gently warm the frozen section using a hairdryer or towel soaked in hot water — never use a blowtorch or open flame.

4. If the pipe bursts or you can’t find the blockage, call DM Emergency Plumbing immediately.

🚨 Need Help Fast?

Don’t wait for a burst pipe to ruin your day — our team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help with leaks, frozen pipes, and all emergency plumbing needs.

📞 Call DM Emergency Plumbing now 
🕒 Available 24/7 for Leaks, Burst Pipes, Boilers, Heating & Emergency Repairs
📍 Serving Northampton and Surrounding Areas