Winterproofing
Follow our tips to winter proof your home to avoid any issues with your water supply when the temperature drops.
People often have issues with frozen pipes when the temperature drops below zero, which can then cause cracks when they thaw and result in expensive repairs and a disrupted water supply.
Prepare your home in advance
Help to keep your winter free of extra stress by getting your home ready for the cold weather. Waiting until the temperature drops mean that your pipes may already be frozen.
Insulate water tanks and pipes
Service your boiler
Check your inside stop valve
Fix external dripping taps
Minimise all draughts
Keep your home warm
Once the temperature drops
When the temperature is below zero, it's particularly important to take extra steps to prevent water in your pipes freezing. If you have no water or low water pressure in the winter, your pipes may already be frozen.
Circulate warm air to unheated areas
Running your taps will not prevent pipes from freezing
Arrange a supply of fresh drinking water
Leaving your property unattended?
If you are leaving your property unattended for an extended period of time, you may wish to shut off the water supply to the property from the external stopcock. You must ensure that any water-dependent appliances or facilities are also shut-off.
If you have a meter installed by Uisce Éireann, a frost plug has been inserted in the meter boundary box to prevent the meter and stop-cock from freezing.
If no meter is installed by Uisce Éireann and you are concerned that the stopcock might freeze, open the stopcock chamber and remove any water. Fill the chamber with non-absorbent material to provide insulation. Do not use an absorbent material as it too will freeze when wet.