Will my pipes freeze?

benson1980

looks ok to me

paperclap

Perhaps I’m overthinking and over worrying! I often do that.

Maybe if I find time, I’ll pop some tape around the exposed areas to see me through… then do it all properly come spring.

poppellerant

I'd cable tie the insulation on the pipes closed to help stop any cold air reaching the pipes.

Why isn't your loft insulated? I suspect the heat from the rooms below is playing a large part in your pipes not freezing.  When insulating, you could also use that opportunity to place pieces of insulation on top of the pipes as extra protection.

webjaved

poppellerant said:

I'd cable tie the insulation on the pipes closed to help stop any cold air reaching the pipes.

Why isn't your loft insulated? I suspect the heat from the rooms below is playing a large part in your pipes not freezing.  When insulating, you could also use that opportunity to place pieces of insulation on top of the pipes as extra protection.

This comment right here. Excellent point made.

I'd look at getting the loft insulated too - I've recently done mine and it has made a massive difference.

paperclap

We will be having our loft insulated. Just, the roofer hasn’t come back to do it yet!

FreeBear

paperclap said:

We will be having our loft insulated. Just, the roofer hasn’t come back to do it yet!

If you are fit enough to fix the lagging on the pipes, you should be able to do the loft insulation yourself. It really isn't difficult to do and you don't need any tools to do it.

andre_xs

Section62 said:
If you are worried then temporarily leave the loft hatch open a crack.  It will cost you a bit more for the heating or make the house feel colder, but the warm air from the house should keep the pipes above freezing unless it turns full-on Siberian Winter.

But please consider that the warm air rising from the house will be much more humid and you may get quite a bit of condensation up there! We once had a big problem with a small gap at the loft hatch, and it was literally dripping from the roof felt and rafters (during a cold spell). This will not immediately damage things, but just to keep an eye out for.

Section62

andre_xs said:

Section62 said:
If you are worried then temporarily leave the loft hatch open a crack.  It will cost you a bit more for the heating or make the house feel colder, but the warm air from the house should keep the pipes above freezing unless it turns full-on Siberian Winter.

But please consider that the warm air rising from the house will be much more humid and you may get quite a bit of condensation up there! We once had a big problem with a small gap at the loft hatch, and it was literally dripping from the roof felt and rafters (during a cold spell). This will not immediately damage things, but just to keep an eye out for.

Indeed, hence my use of "temporarily".

It isn't ideal, but if the alternatives are risking a pipe burst or laying awake all night worrying about that possibility, then the negative effects of possible condensation over a few days are a lesser issue.

Eldi_Dos

paperclap said:

Maybe if I find time, I’ll pop some tape around the exposed areas to see me through… then do it all properly come spring.

Don't use tape for this, adjust pipe insulation so it butts together then bandage around the joins.This will be more secure if there is any movement of insulation if expanding and contracting with the seasons.

Out of date bandages from first aid kits are useful for this.

paperclap

FreeBear said:

paperclap said:

We will be having our loft insulated. Just, the roofer hasn’t come back to do it yet!

If you are fit enough to fix the lagging on the pipes, you should be able to do the loft insulation yourself. It really isn't difficult to do and you don't need any tools to do it.

I'm more than capable... but I've paid the man already! One of them things...