Severn Trent issued fresh advice to customers on 8 January 2025 to help them avoid burst pipes as temperatures in the Midlands are set to plunge to as low as -6C1. The Met Office has Yellow Weather warnings in place for the East and West Midlands this week as the first cold snap of the new year bites, the water company said1.
The Met Office predicts -6C in the Midlands region, before a big thaw over a milder weekend, according to Severn Trent1. Temperatures in parts of the UK are predicted to fall as low as -15C on Thursday 9 January1. The company said freezing conditions followed by warmer weather can cause bursts1.
Kelsey Martin, water efficiency manager at Severn Trent, said:
"In cold weather, the water in your pipes can freeze and expand. It blocks them and can cause bursts including when they unfreeze in warmer conditions, causing damage to your home."
The company's tips include wrapping all pipework, fittings and storage tanks in unheated areas of the home, such as lofts, roofs, outbuildings and garages, with insulation, using what it describes as good quality waterproof foam lagging1. It said lagging was available at local DIY stores and, at the time of the announcement, for free on its website at stwater.co.uk/savewater1. Outside taps should either be insulated or drained down to the pipework that links to the tap1. Severn Trent said pipe lagging and tap jackets can be found at local hardware stores and are easy to fit1.
The company also advised finding the stop tap and knowing how to turn it on and off in case of a leak at home, saying they are usually found under the kitchen sink, downstairs toilet or utility room1. It said anyone concerned about their own DIY abilities could ask a registered plumber to check household pipes are properly lagged and fill any gaps, and that it supports watersafe.org.uk, an online search facility for qualified and approved plumbers1.
On supply problems, Severn Trent advised customers with low pressure or no water from their taps to first check whether neighbours are having similar trouble; if their supply is normal it is likely a plumber is needed, and if more than one household is affected customers should call its 24 hour emergency number, 0800 783 44441.
Why it matters for households
The warnings cover the East and West Midlands, with the cold snap forecast this week and a milder weekend expected to follow1. Severn Trent's advice centres on the risk that pipes frozen during the cold spell burst when they thaw in warmer conditions, causing damage to the home1. Households in the warned areas are affected from the period covered by the Yellow warnings, which the company said were in place this week1. The Met Office's warning levels are explained in the guide to Met Office weather warnings: yellow, amber and red, and households can read how to sign up for Met Office weather alerts. Practical preparation for cold weather and ice is covered in getting your home ready for cold weather and ice, and what to do about frozen pipework in frozen pipes: thawing them safely and preventing freezing. More general household incident guidance is in the home emergencies hub, and storm and snow guidance in the storms and snow hub.
What happens next
Temperatures in parts of the UK are predicted to fall as low as -15C on Thursday 9 January, with -6C predicted in the Midlands before a big thaw over a milder weekend, according to Severn Trent1. No further dates have been reported.
Winter Home Preparation
Frozen Pipes Thawing
