January got off to a freezing start — low temperature warnings are a common alert at this time of year. Put simply: if you can see frost on cars or roofs, then it’s cold enough to freeze and pose a risk to your pipes. This small amount of background heat is enough to prevent freezing and could save you hundreds in repair costs later on. Fitting foam tubing or pipe wrap around any exposed pipes helps them retain heat and creates a barrier against freezing temperatures. What to do if a pipe freezesIn the unfortunate event that your pipes freeze, a basic knowledge of plumbing will help you locate and thaw a frozen pipe.

Source: Irish Examiner January 17, 2026 14:19 UTC