HomeAboutServices Service AreasOur WorkReviewsBlogContact 07875 298163Get a Free Quote - Home - Blog - How to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter in Greater Manchester Back to BlogSeasonal Advice # How to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter in Greater Manchester 5 December 20255 min read Manchester winters can freeze unlagged pipes in hours. Learn practical steps to protect your home from burst pipes, flooding, and costly emergency repairs. ## Why Manchester Properties Are Vulnerable Greater Manchester experiences an average of 40–50 frost days per year. While that's fewer than the Scottish Highlands, it's enough to freeze unprotected pipes — particularly in lofts, garages, external walls, and outbuildings. The most dangerous period is November through March, with January typically seeing the most burst pipe emergencies. Victorian and Edwardian terraces are particularly vulnerable. Many still have cold water tanks in the loft space, fed by unlagged copper pipes running through unheated areas. When temperatures drop below -2°C, water in these pipes can freeze within hours. ## Lag All Exposed Pipes Pipe lagging is the single most effective preventative measure. Foam pipe insulation costs under £1 per metre and takes minutes to fit — but prevents thousands of pounds in burst pipe damage. Focus on pipes in the loft, garage, under the ground floor (if accessible), and any external runs. Don't forget the cold water tank in the loft — both the pipes feeding it and the tank itself should be insulated. Leave the area beneath the tank uninsulated so heat from the rooms below can rise and warm it. ## Keep Your Heating On Low During prolonged cold spells, set your heating to run at a low background temperature (12–15°C) even when you're out. This keeps the internal temperature above freezing and maintains some warmth in wall cavities where pipes run. If you're going away during winter, never turn the heating off completely. Set it to a frost protection setting (usually 5°C on most thermostats) as an absolute minimum. Better yet, ask a neighbour to check the property daily. ## Know Where Your Stopcock Is If a pipe does burst, the first thing you need to do is turn off the water supply. Your internal stopcock is usually under the kitchen sink, in the downstairs toilet, or in the hallway. Make sure you can locate it and that it turns freely before an emergency happens. Stopcocks that haven't been turned for years can seize. Test yours now — turn it clockwise to close, then back anti-clockwise to open. If it's stiff, apply a small amount of penetrating oil and work it back and forth gently. ## What to Do If Pipes Freeze If you turn on a tap and nothing comes out during freezing weather, a pipe has likely frozen. Don't panic. Turn off the water at the stopcock as a precaution, then gently warm the frozen section using a hairdryer or hot water bottles. Never use a blowtorch or open flame. If the pipe has already burst, turn off the stopcock immediately, open all cold taps to drain the system, and call us on 07875 298163 for emergency response. We typically reach Manchester and Salford properties within 30–45 minutes. ### Need Help With Your Project? Get a free, no-obligation quote from DPS Plumbing & Bathrooms. We respond within 2 hours. Get a Free Quote07875 298163 ## Ready to Start Your Project? Get a free, no-obligation quote today. We respond to every enquiry within 2 hours and back every project with a written guarantee. Get a Free QuoteOr Call: 07875 298163 13+ Years' Experience All Work Guaranteed No Hidden Costs ### Get a Free Quote We respond within 2 hours A local, family-run plumbing and bathroom installation business serving Greater Manchester for over 13 years. - @dps_bathrooms ### Services Bathroom Installation - Bathroom Fitter - General Plumber - Boiler Installation - Boiler Repair - Boiler Service - Underfloor Heating - Gas Appliance Installation - Shower Installation - Kitchen Plumbing - Pipe Repairs & Leak Detection - Toilet Installation - Tap Installation ### Company - About Us - Our Work - Reviews - Blog - Special Offers - Contact ### Service Areas - Plumber Manchester - Plumber Salford - Plumber Bolton - Plumber Stockport - Plumber Bury - All Service Areas ### Contact Us Daniel 55 Edmund StreetSalford, Greater ManchesterM6 5WQ 07875 298163 daniel@dps-plumbing.info Opening Hours Open 24 Hours, Monday – Sunday © 2026 DPS Plumbing & Bathrooms. All Rights Reserved. Privacy PolicyTerms & ConditionsCookie PolicySitemap CALL NOWGET A QUOTE We use essential cookies to run this site and optional cookies to measure traffic. Cookie Policy. AcceptReject