Hafren Dyfrdwy has issued fresh advice to customers to help them avoid burst pipes as winter and colder weather approaches, the water company announced on Wednesday 17 December 20251. The company supplies water only in Wrexham and parts of Denbighshire and Flintshire, and both water and wastewater services in Powys1.
The advice covers pipework in unheated areas of the home, outside taps and the stop tap. The company says customers should wrap all pipework, fittings and storage tanks in unheated areas of the home, such as lofts, roofs, outbuildings and garages, with insulation, and either insulate outside taps or drain them down to the pipework that links to the tap1. It says stop taps are usually found under the kitchen sink, downstairs toilet or utility room1. Pipe lagging and tap jackets can be found at local hardware stores and are easy to fit, according to the company1. Where customers are concerned about their own DIY abilities, it says a registered plumber can check household pipes are properly lagged and fill in any gaps, and it supports watersafe.org.uk, which it describes as a dedicated online search facility for qualified and approved plumbers1.
Howard Perry, Network Operations Lead at Hafren Dyfrdwy, said:
"Freezing conditions followed by warmer weather can cause bursts."
He said that in cold weather the water in pipes can freeze and expand, blocking them and causing bursts, including when they unfreeze in warmer conditions, causing damage to the home1.
On supply problems, the company advises customers with low pressure or no water from their taps first to check whether neighbours are having similar trouble. If their supply is normal it is likely a plumber is needed; if more than one household is affected, customers should call the company's 24 hour emergency number, 0800 052 01301.
Why it matters for households
The advice applies to households in Hafren Dyfrdwy's supply area across Wrexham, parts of Denbighshire and Flintshire, and Powys, as colder weather arrives1. The practical points the company makes are that frozen pipes can burst as conditions warm and damage the home, that lagging and tap jackets are widely available and simple to fit, and that knowing the location of the stop tap matters if a leak occurs1. For supply interruptions, its stated test is whether neighbouring households are affected: a single household points to a plumber, while more than one household should be reported to its 24 hour emergency line1. General guidance on preparing for home emergencies is set out in the site's home emergencies hub.
What happens next
No further dates or steps have been announced beyond the issue of the advice on 17 December 20251.
