Key takeaways
- ✓ Freezing water expands inside pipes and can split them open, so prevention is far cheaper than the burst-pipe clean-up.
- ✓ Drain and disconnect outdoor hoses, sprinkler systems and pool lines before winter — exposed outdoor pipes freeze first.
- ✓ Insulate every exposed pipe with pipe sleeves or heat tape, and don't switch heating off completely on freezing nights, even when you're away.
- ✓ Open cabinet doors under sinks so warm household air can circulate around the pipes inside them.
- ✓ A tap that only trickles on a frosty morning may mean a frozen pipe — thaw it gently with a hairdryer, never an open flame.
Why frozen pipes burst
A frozen pipe is every homeowner's least favourite winter surprise. When water freezes inside a pipe it expands, and that expansion can split the pipe open — turning an icy morning into a flooded home and a substantial water damage bill. If you live in one of the frost-prone parts of NSW — the tablelands, the ranges, or inland towns where winter nights drop below zero — your pipes are at real risk on the coldest nights.
You can't remove the risk entirely, but a handful of simple precautions dramatically reduce the chance of waking up to a burst. Here are six tips to protect your pipes before the cold sets in.
1. Drain your outdoor water lines
Outdoor pipes freeze first because they're fully exposed to the cold. Before winter, drain sprinkler systems, swimming pool lines and outdoor hoses thoroughly. Unhook garden hoses from their taps and store them away until spring — a connected hose traps water in the tap and the pipe behind it.
2. Insulate exposed pipes with sleeves or heat tape
Any pipe that's exposed to the outside air needs insulation. Foam pipe sleeves (lagging) are cheap, easy to fit and available from any hardware store; for pipes in especially cold spots, thermostatically controlled heat tape adds active protection against freezing temperatures.
3. Don't switch the heating off completely
Turning the heating right down — or off — to save on winter bills can put your pipes in danger on freezing nights. Keep your home at a consistent, modest temperature through cold snaps, and resist the urge to switch heating off entirely when you go away in winter. A slightly higher power bill is far cheaper than a burst pipe behind a wall.
4. Add insulation to unheated spaces
Pipes running through the subfloor, roof cavity and other unheated crawl spaces are vulnerable because those areas get nearly as cold as outside. Insulating these spaces protects the pipes from freezing and breaking — and trims your heating bill as a bonus.
5. Let warm air circulate around your pipes
The pipes under your kitchen sink, bathroom vanity and laundry tub sit inside closed cabinets where warm household air can't reach them. On very cold nights, leave those cabinet doors open so heated air can flow around the plumbing.
6. Know the warning sign — and thaw gently
If you turn on a tap on a frosty morning and get only a slow trickle, you may have a frozen pipe. Thaw it gently: aim a hairdryer at the pipe or wrap it with an electric heating pad, working until normal flow returns. Never use an open flame, and if you can't locate or reach the frozen section, call a plumber before it bursts.
Need a hand in Sydney or Regional NSW?
If a pipe has already burst and left you with soaked floors, wet walls or ceiling damage, speed matters — damp materials can start growing mould within days. One Prime Solutions provides expert water damage restoration, responding 24/7 across Greater Sydney & Regional NSW. Call 1300 774 631 and we'll get your home dry and safe again.
Frequently asked questions
Do pipes really freeze in NSW?
In the colder parts of the state, yes. Frost-prone areas like the tablelands, the ranges and inland towns regularly see sub-zero winter nights, which is cold enough to freeze exposed outdoor pipes and plumbing in unheated subfloors and roof cavities.
How do I know if a pipe has frozen?
The classic sign is a tap that produces only a slow trickle, or nothing at all, on a very cold morning. Check exposed pipes for frost on the outside. Thaw the suspect section gently with a hairdryer or heating pad, and call a plumber if you can't find or reach it.
Can I use a flame to thaw a frozen pipe?
No — never use an open flame such as a blowtorch or candle. It can damage the pipe, ignite nearby materials and create steam pressure inside the pipe. Use gentle, even heat from a hairdryer or an electric heating pad instead.
What should I do if a frozen pipe bursts?
Shut off the water at the main valve immediately to stop the flow, and keep clear of any wet electrical equipment. Then start the drying process fast — trapped moisture in walls and floors leads to mould — and call a professional water damage restoration company for anything more than a small spill.