Winter brings more than just frosty mornings and festive cheer—it brings a unique set of challenges for your home’s plumbing. From frozen pipes to boiler breakdowns, plumbing issues never seem to happen at a convenient time.
While we’re always here to supply the parts you need, the best way to handle a winter plumbing emergency is to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Here is our expert guide on how to prep your home and what to do if disaster strikes.
1. Know Your Stopcock
If a pipe bursts, the first thing you must do is turn off the water. Do you know where your internal stopcock is?
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Where to look: Usually under the kitchen sink, in a hallway cupboard, or under the stairs.
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Pro Tip: Give it a turn every few months to make sure it hasn’t seized up. If it’s stuck, come see us for a replacement or some penetrating oil to get it moving.
2. Insulate Your Vulnerable Pipes
Prevention is cheaper than a repair bill. Pipes in unheated areas—like lofts, garages, or outdoor taps—are the first to freeze.
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The Fix: Use foam pipe lagging. It’s an inexpensive DIY task that can save you thousands in water damage. Ensure there are no gaps, especially at the joints and bends.
3. Service Your Boiler Now
Don’t wait for the first sub-zero night to find out your heating isn’t working. A professional service ensures your system is running efficiently and, more importantly, safely.
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Keep an eye on the pressure: If your boiler pressure is too low, it might lock out. If you’re unsure how to top it up, check your manual or ask one of our team for advice on the right filling loop.
4. Prevent “Ice Plugs” in Outdoor Taps
Outdoor taps are highly susceptible to freezing, which can cause the pipe leading inside your house to burst.
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The Fix: Isolate the water to the outdoor tap if you have an internal shut-off valve, and fit an insulated outdoor tap cover. These are “stocking fillers” that actually save your home!
5. Build an Emergency Plumbing Kit
If the worst happens on a Sunday night when the shops are closed, having a few basics can bridge the gap until help arrives. Your kit should include:
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Self-fusing silicone tape: To temporary seal small leaks.
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A bucket and towels: To catch and soak up water.
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The number of a trusted local plumber: Keep it on the fridge!
We’re here to help!
Whether you need lagging, a new stopcock, or just some friendly advice on which fittings you need for a repair, pop into your local SPS branch – our team is ready to help you keep the water flowing and the house warm all winter long.