Frozen pipes: prepare for a possible leak

A pipe exposed to cold can stop delivering water, then leak as it thaws. No water alone does not prove freezing: check whether the problem also affects neighbours or appears in the water supplier’s incident information.

Know how to stop the supply

Find the property’s known water shut-off before a leak develops, provided access is safe. Do not force a seized valve. If you cannot locate it, our stop-tap guide lists the information to check.

Let a landlord or building manager know if shared or inaccessible pipework may be involved. Do not shut off an unidentified shared valve.

Avoid dangerous thawing

Never use a blowtorch or other naked flame. Do not apply boiling water or take electrical equipment into a wet area. Inaccessible pipework, visible damage and uncertainty about the route are reasons to get professional advice rather than improvise.

If water begins escaping, follow the burst-pipe first steps and call for help. Keep clear of electrical fittings and damaged ceilings.

Watch for damage after flow returns

Restored flow does not establish that the pipe is intact. Pay attention to accessible areas for new drips or water sounds, without opening walls or floors. Tell the plumber if the leak started during a thaw.

Water UK advises insulating exposed pipework and knowing where the stop tap is.

Emergency repair, then prevention

Call 07469 896305 for an active burst or urgent plumbing fault in Kent. Explain which outlets are affected and any visible leak. Once the immediate problem is resolved, discuss protection for exposed pipework; insulation is not a repair for a split pipe.

For no supply without a confirmed freeze, see no water at the taps.