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Prepare, Insulate, Protect, Easy

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.

A Step-by-Step Guide: Lagging your Pipes

House

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.

Tools

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.

Measuring the length

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

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.

Securing the insulation

Secure the insulation

Push the insulation against the pipe snuggly so that both sides of the split join together again.

Cutting the insulation

For 90° bends

Cut the insulation at 45° on each side to fit perfectly with the other joins.

Bending insulation

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.

Cup of tea

That's it!

It’s so easy to protect your pipes this winter. Time for a well deserved cup of tea!

More ways you can prepare

  • Make sure you have details to hand of who you need to contact if you have a burst so you can get this repaired as soon as possible. You can find a local plumber at www.watersafe.org.uk. Altenativly, visit our need a plumber page for more information.

  • You can find weather updates for your area at metoffice.gov.uk.

    You can also find the Met Office's advice for winter here: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/your-home/protecting-your-property-from-winter-weather.

  • If you're away from your home for long periods of time it is advised to keep your heating on low to avoid pipes in your house from freezing or bursting.

  • Have you experienced an increase in your bill or a drop in water pressure? Both could be early signs of a leak in your water pipework and should be investigated. It pays to make sure your pipework is in good condition before any cold snap arrives.

Have frozen pipes?

See our guide on how to thaw out a frozen pipe

Get water fit!

Try our new personalised water usage platform and save water, save money, save nature!

Burst pipe?

See our burst pipe page and follow our tips to help get you back up and running

How to find your stop tap

If you have a burst pipe, it's important to find your stop tap, which is usually under the kitchen sink and turn it clockwise to turn off the water.

How to use your stop tap

If you have a burst pipe, you'll need to find your stop tap, which is usually under the kitchen sink. Turn it clockwise to turn off the water.

How to lag your pipes this winter

Pipes inside and outside your home can get very cold too and even freeze causing the pipe to burst and leak. To help you enjoy a carefree winter, follow our advice to lag your pipes.

Prepare for winter!

How to add an outdoor tap cover

Have you checked and lagged your water pipes to prevent them from freezing over? Your outdoor tap will need some added insulation too.

Keep your heating on low while away

If you're away from your home for long periods of time it is advised to keep your heating on low to avoid pipes in your house from freezing or bursting.

What to do if you have a burst pipe

When the weather warms up after a couple of freezing cold days, any frozen pipes in your home will begin to thaw. When this happens, some of these pipes may leak or burst as a result of being frozen. Here's what to do in an emergency.

Need a plumber?

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.