Are Your Pipes About to Burst? Warning Issued as Cold Snap Hits

South West Water is urging people to take simple steps to protect their homes from burst pipes as temperatures drop across Devon and Cornwall this week.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice, and the sudden freeze raises the risk of pipes splitting, leaks and flooding. When water freezes it expands by nearly 10%, blocking pipes and causing damage, even in newer systems.

Martin Pipe, South West Water’s Customer Leakage Manager, said: “Every winter, we see a high number of bursts both on our network and on our customers’ private pipes due to freezing conditions. When this happens, our teams work hard around the clock to keep the taps flowing for our customers. Alongside these efforts, there are lots of things our customers can do to prepare their homes for cold weather and prevent leaks and bursts from causing significant damage to their properties.”

How to Protect Your Pipes

South West Water has shared several steps homeowners can take right now:

• Wrap pipes and water tanks with lagging, especially in unheated spaces like lofts, garages or gardens
• Make sure you can turn off your inside stop tap, usually found under the kitchen sink
• Leave heating on low if you go away
• Check your boiler has been serviced
• Bleed radiators to improve efficiency and reduce freezing risk
• Keep a reputable plumber’s details handy
• Check your meter for signs of a leak. Advice is available on the South West Water website at their leaks page

Underground service pipes can also be affected when the ground freezes and shifts.

Spotting Underground Leaks

Signs of trouble include visible water in your garden or reduced pressure in your home. South West Water notes:

• Service pipes on your property are your responsibility
• You can find guidance on leak tests on their report a leak page
• Check whether your household insurance covers repairs
• Private contractors can be found through WaterSafe or by calling 0333 207 9030

What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze

If you turn on the tap and nothing comes out, check whether neighbours still have water. If they do, your own pipes may be frozen.

Other steps include:

• Look for signs of a split
• Turn off the supply using the internal stop tap
• If heating or water heaters are already on, keep them on
• Do not switch them on if they’re currently off
• Drain the cold water system by flushing the toilet and opening cold taps
• If there’s no damage, thaw the pipe using a warm towel or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel
• Once thawed, turn taps off and slowly turn the supply back on
• Recheck pipes under pressure for leaks
• If you find a leak or burst, call a reputable plumber. South West Water supports approved contractors listed on the WaterSafe website or available by calling 0333 207 9030

More guidance on cold weather preparation, including which pipes you’re responsible for, can be found on South West Water’s cold weather advice page