26/11/2025
NI Water Issues Winter Preparation Advice
With the first cold snap arriving, NI Water is issuing a reminder to all customers about the importance of preparing their homes to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
The utility is urging everyone to locate and test their stop valve now, ensuring they can quickly turn off the water supply in an emergency.
Anna Killen, NI Water education officer, explained the risk: "Burst pipes are one of the biggest risks facing homeowners during freezing weather. Water expands as it freezes, which can cause pipes to split and leak once temperatures start to rise again. Prevention is key."
Simple Steps for Winter Protection
NI Water has provided seven simple steps to help householders safeguard their water supply this season:
• Check your stop valve: Locate and operate it quickly. Test it now to be prepared for any emergency.
• Keep your home warm: Maintain a consistent indoor temperature, even in rooms that are not currently in use.
• Circulate warm air: Leave cupboard doors open under sinks and in utility areas to help warm air reach vulnerable pipes.
• Insulate pipes and tanks: Use pipe lagging and tank jackets for crucial protection against the cold.
• Check your home insurance: Ensure your policy covers damage caused by water leaks or burst pipes.
• Keep a plumber's contact handy: Have details of a qualified plumber available for emergency repairs.
• Protect outdoor taps: Fit covers to outside taps to prevent freezing.
Customers can request free stop valve tags and outdoor tap covers by completing a free online water audit at www.getwaterfit.co.uk.
The utility is urging everyone to locate and test their stop valve now, ensuring they can quickly turn off the water supply in an emergency.
Anna Killen, NI Water education officer, explained the risk: "Burst pipes are one of the biggest risks facing homeowners during freezing weather. Water expands as it freezes, which can cause pipes to split and leak once temperatures start to rise again. Prevention is key."
Simple Steps for Winter Protection
NI Water has provided seven simple steps to help householders safeguard their water supply this season:
• Keep your home warm: Maintain a consistent indoor temperature, even in rooms that are not currently in use.
• Circulate warm air: Leave cupboard doors open under sinks and in utility areas to help warm air reach vulnerable pipes.
• Insulate pipes and tanks: Use pipe lagging and tank jackets for crucial protection against the cold.
• Check your home insurance: Ensure your policy covers damage caused by water leaks or burst pipes.
• Keep a plumber's contact handy: Have details of a qualified plumber available for emergency repairs.
• Protect outdoor taps: Fit covers to outside taps to prevent freezing.
Customers can request free stop valve tags and outdoor tap covers by completing a free online water audit at www.getwaterfit.co.uk.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.