Protect your home this winter
Insulating your water pipes will protect them from freezing, bursting and flooding your home.
A Step-by-Step Guide for Lagging your Pipes
Lagging – or insulating – pipes around your home is a simple DIY project. We’ve broken the process down into easy steps.
Check your pipes
Check for exposed pipes inside and outside of your home which could be in cold areas, such as under the sink, near the boiler, in the loft, near the water tank, in the garage and outside taps.
What you’ll need
You’ll need: a tape measure, a marker pen, a utility knife (sharp scissors will also work), Duct tape, insulation tape and/or cable ties. Top Tip: Ask at your local DIY shop for advice on the best type of insulation material.
Getting materials
Measure the length and diameter of insulation you need, and make a note. Top Tip: Foam insulation is most commonly used, and is widely available from DIY stores. Felt and wool insulation is also effective at keeping the heat in.
Measure and fit the insulation
After measuring and cutting insulation to size, open it up at the pre-cut split and wrap it around the pipe.
Secure the insulation
Push the insulation against the pipe snuggly so that both sides of the split join together again.
For 90° bends
Cut the insulation at 45° on each side to fit perfectly with the other joins.
For awkward bends and connections from the pipe
Cut notches at 30° from the inside of the bend in the insulation and fit as required.
That's it!
It’s so easy to protect your pipes this winter. Time for a well deserved cup of tea!
Burst pipe?
Follow our tips to help you get back up and running
Frozen pipe?
If you have no water or your water pressure has dropped so there's only a trickle coming out of the tap, don’t panic, you could have frozen pipes.
Is your business winter ready?
Make sure to protect your business from freezing pipes
Find your stop tap and check that it works
Your stop tap controls the flow of water into your home. It’s usually found under the kitchen sink, or sometimes in the cellar or garage. It’s handy to know where it is so you can turn the water off quickly if your pipes freeze or burst.
Found it? Make sure your stop tap is working. It's also worth checking if your household Insurance covers burst pipes.
Need a plumber?
If you've got a burst pipe, we'll point you in the direction of your nearest qualified plumbers and heating specialists.
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ITV weather's Jo Blythe gives us top tips on how to prepare for winter.
Don’t lag behind
Wrap your pipes with lagging to prevent them from freezing (or even bursting) this winter. Pay attention to the pipes in the garage, loft, or those outside your home, as these are the ones most likely to freeze when the temperature drops.
Your local DIY store should have everything you need and don’t forget to use waterproof lagging for outdoor pipes. Pipe lagging is cheap and easy to fit. So you can be ready for winter in no time!
Not sure what or how to lag? Watch our DIY expert Craig Phillips show you how.