What to Do If a Pipe Bursts in Winter

If a pipe bursts, turn off the water at the stop tap straight away, then switch off the electrics in any area where water is getting near sockets or lights. Open the cold taps to drain the pipes, turn off the boiler and mop up what you can. Then call a plumber. Most burst pipes happen when a frozen pipe thaws, so cold snaps across Sheffield and the hills around Holmfirth are the times to be ready. Our plumbing team deals with burst pipes and leaks across South and West Yorkshire.

Step one: turn off the water

Your internal stop tap controls the mains water coming into the house. It’s usually under the kitchen sink, but in older homes it can be under the stairs, in a cellar or near the front door.

Turn it clockwise to close it. If it’s stiff, don’t force it too hard, as old stop taps can snap. If it won’t move at all, there’s usually an outside stop tap belonging to the water company, but that normally needs a special key.

It’s well worth finding your stop tap now, before you need it.

Step two: make the area safe

Water and electricity don’t mix. If water is coming through a ceiling near a light fitting, or pooling near sockets, switch off the electricity at the consumer unit if you can do it safely. If the consumer unit itself is wet, don’t touch it.

Keep people and pets away from any sagging ceiling, as plasterboard holding water can come down suddenly. Moving valuables and furniture out of the way limits the damage.

Step three: drain the system

Once the stop tap is off, water left in the pipes will keep leaking. To reduce it:

  • Open all the cold taps in the house
  • Flush the toilets
  • Turn off the boiler and any immersion heater
  • Open the hot taps once the water heater is off

If you have a cold water tank in the loft, it will keep feeding some taps until it empties, so running those taps helps.

Step four: call a plumber and keep a record

Call a plumber as soon as the water is under control. Take photos of the damage and the leak for your insurer, and keep receipts for anything you have to pay for. Many home insurance policies cover escape of water, so it’s worth calling them early too.

Don’t use any electrics that have got wet until they’ve been checked by a qualified electrician.

How to stop pipes bursting in the first place

Most bursts happen after water freezes inside a pipe and expands, then thaws and leaks through the split. To lower the risk:

  • Lag pipes in lofts, garages and outside walls with foam insulation
  • Fit a cover on outside taps and turn off their supply over winter
  • Keep the heating on at a low temperature during a cold spell, even if you’re away
  • Fix dripping taps and overflows, as small leaks can freeze in exposed pipework

A well-maintained boiler and central heating system helps too. Our tips on winter boiler maintenance cover the checks worth doing before the cold weather.

Cold winters in Sheffield, Holmfirth and the Peak fringes

Homes across our area can get properly cold. Stone cottages and farmhouses around Holmfirth, Honley, Penistone and the edge of the Peak District often have pipework in unheated outbuildings, lofts and thick outside walls. Victorian terraces in Sheffield and Huddersfield commonly have pipes running through cellars or along back walls. These are the spots most likely to freeze, so they’re the first to insulate.

Frequently asked questions

Should I turn my heating off if a pipe bursts?

Yes, turn off the boiler while you deal with the leak. If the system loses water, the boiler could be damaged by running with low pressure. Once the burst pipe has been repaired, the system can be refilled and the boiler checked before you put the heating back on. A heating engineer can do this if you’re unsure.

Is a burst pipe covered by home insurance?

Many buildings and contents policies cover escape of water, which includes burst pipes, but the details vary. Some policies exclude damage if the home has been left unheated for a long period. Check your policy and call your insurer as early as possible, with photos of the damage and the leak.

How do I know if a pipe has frozen?

Signs include taps that only trickle or don’t run at all, frost on visible pipework and strange noises when you turn a tap on. Thaw it gently with a hot water bottle or a hairdryer on a low setting, never a naked flame. If you see any split or bulge, turn off the water first.

Burst pipe or worried about a leak?

If you’ve got a burst pipe or want your plumbing checked before the frosts, give us a call on 01142 903 615 or drop us a message and we’ll get it sorted as quickly as we can.