Before the freeze
Keep up to date
You can check the weather forecast wherever you are. The Met Office has a weather feed you could subscribe to.
Cover the basics
Pipes that freeze and burst can cause a great deal of damage to your home. Here are some helpful hints to avoid common pipe problems:
- Insulate your pipes, your water tank, your loft and any exposed garden pipes.
- Set your thermostat to at least 10°C and keep your heating on - even if you go away.
- Use thick curtains in living areas and draft excluders under doors to help keep your home warm.
- Leave the loft cover slightly ajar and the kitchen and bathroom cupboards open to help warm air circulate around your pipes.
Get one step ahead
It can be difficult to find a plumber, heating engineer or electrician during cold spells. Avoid the rush by getting your central heating and boiler serviced sooner rather than later.
Prepare the essentials
Prepare a list of local plumbers, heating engineers and electricians, plus your utility companies and car breakdown services.
Put our claims line number in your mobile to save time.
Put some basics on standby: candles and matches, a torch (and spare batteries), tinned food, warm clothing, blankets, buckets, salt and/or grit and a shovel.