Protect water pipes against freezing

This page has been automatically translated from French into English by a translation software. Automatic translations are not as accurate as translations made by professional human translators. Nevertheless these pages can help you understand information published by the City of Brussels.

During winter, ice-cold water can damage water pipes. When the water freezes, its volume increases with the risk of blowing up the meter and pipes. Some advice to avoid damage.

How to protect the meter and pipes?

Avoid damages caused by frost on the meter or the pipes, the temperature must be superior to 0°C. To reach this ideal temperature, avoid drafts at the water meter:

block cellar windows and aerations
seal garage doors
...

A newspaper remains, in case of emergency, a good insulating material. For the record, the premises which shelter a boiler, a heater, a water heater,... need sufficient aeration.

Isolate water pipes or meters in non-warmed premises. A solution: use a 'heating tape' for these installations.

During the night and\or in case of severe frost, Vivaqua recommends to let the water pour from the most remote part from the meter. In this way, the water stays warmer. The water consumption will increase slightly but this exceptional solution will avoid expenses engendered by a break of the pipes.

Empty the pipes by:

cutting the water inlet at the meter
opening the faucet closest to the meter and the faucet at the lowest point (which maybe the same)
open the faucet at the highest point of the installation

Do not forget to protect the section between the meter and the point of entrance at the building. The use of a 'heating tape' may be the solution.

Frozen pipes?

track down the part of the circuit most exposed to the cold: it is often here that ice has been formed
thaw the pipes and meter slowly, for example by means of a hair dryer. Attention, never with a flame, pipes in polyethylene or in PVC can melt.
Inaccessible pipes? Place an extra heater or another source of heat to increase the temperature

Leaks?

A leak shows itself if the index of the meter changes while no equipment is working. Close the general water inlet near the meter. If the leak is near the meter call 02 739 52 11.