Heating can't be on all the time, worried about frozen pipes

Robertson74

Hello. I have a problem which I am really worried about. 
I have forty year oil boiler which I am going to get replaced, but can't because I have got to get the roof above repaired to stop leaks, one of which is coming down between the flue pipe and back of boiler.
I don't like running the boiler much because of this, so I am terrified about getting frozen pipes. Last year I was without water and electricity for three days because of burst pipes. I have electric heaters near pipes and in the loft because of this.
Is there any way I can stop pipes freezing, if the heating can't be on? The pipes are lagged, but it still happened last year. I am also worried about those under floors.

stuart45

You can get trace heating cables for pipes. Never used them myself, so I don't know a lot about them.

QrizB

I don't know your system, but can you persuade it to run the circulating pump even if the boiler isn't operating? Tht would keep the water moving around and hopefully stop localised freezing.

daivid

Not very eco friendly (or MSE if on a meter) but running water is far less likely to freeze, growing up in a house with water from a spring we used to leave one tap on during cold snaps so the pipe to the house didn’t freeze up. This wouldn’t help  with the pipes for the heating, though if the heating is off then they could be drained. It sounds like the heating is still being used though sporadically which must be a difficult situation. A temporary repair or diversion of the leak that is preventing full use of the boiler would be my aim if I couldn’t get a permanent fix done immediately.

Robertson74

Thanks for the replies. 
I don't much about oil boilers, so don't how to use a trace cable or run the circulation pump. It's quite a large house so I don't how I would do this.
Daivid, thanks I'll keep running water.I have been have been leaving the taps on,with a small flow, but not the hot ones. I am staying up all night heating different areas with heaters. I am really terrified about getting frozen pipes again.
I can't get roofers to come out as they have waiting lists. So I think I'll have to try and divert the leak. The leak started with the heavy rain we got after Christmas.
I am really worried about the next two days and wish I had had these things done last year.