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Original poster

At what outside temperature could the pipes freeze? Can we get away with this…

33 replies

Skytheo · 25/12/2024 20:02

We are midlands.. going away for 4 nights on Saturday and wondering whether we can leave the heating off! We don’t have a fancy system and so would prefer to just switch it off.

OP posts:
Original poster
Skytheo · 25/12/2024 20:51

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@Biggash the tank and boiler are in the garage. Not sure if there are pipes in the loft as I’ve never been up there (it’s my home but just got storage up there and now can’t access it as don’t have a ladder). People sometimes say flats have frozen pipes so I don’t really understand why the loft is relevant? (Not saying I don’t believe you, just don’t understand it! 😂😅)

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Biggash · 25/12/2024 20:48

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Chemenger · 25/12/2024 20:43

Water cannot freeze above its freezing point, which is 0C so it is not forecast to go below that then you don’t have a problem. To get burst pipes it needs to be below zero for quite a long time.

BuzzieLittleBee · 25/12/2024 20:42

Of course it's fine! Water freezes at 0c, so if it doesn't get that cold, it can't freeze. And it doesn't turn to ice the minute the outside temp drops to 0.

If it doesn't get lower than 2c, it is impossible for your pipes to freeze.

Original poster
Skytheo · 25/12/2024 20:39

BuzzieLittleBee · 25/12/2024 20:32

It's not due to get down to 0 before the end of the 10 day forecast (in the Midlands). It needs to be below 0 for a while for the pipes to actually freeze. And wherever your pipes are will be warmer than outside anyway, even if only a couple of degrees. So I can't imagine for a moment that your pipes will freeze. Unless you've seen another forecast where it says there are going to be periods of time where the temperature will drop below 0.

Thanks @BuzzieLittleBee . Where have you seen minis temperatures in ten days?

the one I’m looking at shows it could get down to 2 degrees but no lower for the next week…do you reckon that’s ok?

OP posts:
BuzzieLittleBee · 25/12/2024 20:32

It's not due to get down to 0 before the end of the 10 day forecast (in the Midlands). It needs to be below 0 for a while for the pipes to actually freeze. And wherever your pipes are will be warmer than outside anyway, even if only a couple of degrees. So I can't imagine for a moment that your pipes will freeze. Unless you've seen another forecast where it says there are going to be periods of time where the temperature will drop below 0.

ShodAndShadySenators · 25/12/2024 20:07

I would turn the thermostat down but leave the heating on, so it's not as warm as you'd have it if you were home, but is warm enough to keep it from getting damp or freezing if there's a cold snap

steff13 · 25/12/2024 20:04

I wouldn't if it's going to be below freezing.