Pipe lagging external in Exeter
Professional pipe lagging external services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
1-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
External pipes properly lagged against frost - outside taps, exposed pipework, vulnerable sections. One cold snap won't catch you out now.
Burst Pipes Are Expensive
Here's what happens when an external pipe freezes: ice forms, pipe splits, you don't notice until the thaw, water floods, you're calling emergency plumbers on a Sunday at £200+ callout. Plus the damage to walls, paths, even inside if it's really bad.
Or you spend £60-£85 now and it never happens. Your choice.
💡 Pro tip: Most burst pipes happen during the thaw, not the freeze. You don't know there's a problem until the ice melts and water starts pouring out.
Done Right vs Done Wrong
| ✅ Proper Lagging | ❌ Bodge Job |
|---|---|
| Every joint covered with no gaps | Gaps at elbows where pipes freeze first |
| UV-resistant outdoor grade foam | Cheap grey foam that perishes in a year |
| Secured with proper waterproof tape | Flapping loose or held with duct tape |
| Ends sealed against water ingress | Open ends fill with water and freeze |
What Gets Lagged
🔧 Common External Pipe Locations
| Location | Why It's Vulnerable |
|---|---|
| Outside tap feed | Exposed to weather, often on cold north wall |
| Pipes on external walls | No building warmth to protect them |
| Garage/shed supplies | Unheated buildings, pipes freeze easily |
| Overflow pipes | Often forgotten but they'll freeze too |
📦 What I Use
- Closed-cell foam lagging (doesn't absorb water)
- UV-resistant for outdoor use
- Self-adhesive seam plus waterproof tape
- Outside tap jackets where needed
Pricing Guide
| Amount of Pipework | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single outside tap + feed pipe | 1 hr | £60 |
| Outside tap + other exposed sections | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| Multiple taps or extensive pipework | 2+ hrs | £110+ |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Lagging materials included.
Perfect For Your Property If...
✅ You've got an outside tap - most common freeze point
✅ Pipes on cold walls - north-facing external walls especially
✅ Had frozen pipes before - don't let it happen again
✅ Older property - pipes often more exposed in older Exeter houses
Why Choose Us for Pipe lagging external in Exeter?
All exposed pipework properly insulated
Outside taps protected from frost
UV-resistant lagging that won't perish
Advice on winter tap maintenance
What to Expect
Step 1: Locate All Exposed Pipes
I'll trace which pipes are external or in unheated spaces - sometimes there's more exposed than you realised. Outside taps are obvious, but wall-mounted pipes and overflow pipes get missed.
Step 2: Fit Lagging Properly
Every section gets covered with proper foam lagging, cut to fit around bends and joints. Self-adhesive seam closed, then wrapped with waterproof tape. Ends sealed. No gaps.
Step 3: Outside Tap Protection
If you've got outside taps, they get insulated jackets. I'll also show you where your isolating valve is (if you have one) so you can drain the tap for winter.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to do this yourself? Here's how to get it right:
🔧 Tools and materials needed
- External-grade foam pipe lagging (measure your pipe diameter first - usually 15mm or 22mm)
- Waterproof PVC tape
- Sharp knife for cutting
- Insulated tap jacket (if protecting outside taps)
📏 Measuring up
- Trace the entire route of exposed pipe
- Measure the length (add 10% for wastage)
- Check pipe diameter with a tape measure or old piece of lagging
- Buy external-grade, not internal - it costs a bit more but lasts
✂️ Fitting it properly
- Cut to length: Measure twice, cut once
- Close the seam: Most lagging is pre-slit - align the seam and press the adhesive strip together
- Secure with tape: Wrap waterproof tape every 30cm and at every joint
- Cover joints: Cut pieces at 45° to fit around elbows without gaps
- Seal the ends: Tape over the cut ends so water can't get in
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Using internal lagging outside (it'll perish in UV)
- Leaving gaps at joints where pipes freeze first
- Not sealing the ends (they fill with water)
- Forgetting overflow pipes
- Not securing it - wind and weather pull it off
💡 Pro trick: If you can't lag a vulnerable section for some reason, leaving the tap dripping very slightly during hard frost keeps water moving so it won't freeze. Costs pennies in water vs hundreds in repairs.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
❄️ Best practice for outside taps: Find your isolation valve (usually under the kitchen sink if the tap's on that wall), turn it off, then open the outside tap to drain the remaining water. Do this every winter and you'll never have a frozen tap.
Got a garden irrigation system? Those need draining and lagging too - I can help with that.
Lagging also reduces condensation on cold pipes in summer, so it's not just a winter job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do external pipes need lagging?
When water freezes it expands - that's what bursts pipes. External pipes (like those feeding outside taps or running along outside walls) are exposed to the cold. Lag them properly and they won't freeze even when it's -5°C. Much cheaper than repairing a burst pipe and the water damage it causes.
Can I just use the foam stuff from B&Q?
You can, but most people fit it wrong - gaps at joints, not secured properly, ends left open. Also the cheap grey foam perishes in UV light after a year or two. I use proper outdoor-grade lagging with waterproof tape, and make sure every joint and bend is covered properly.
What about my outside tap?
That's usually the main culprit for frozen pipes. I'll lag the pipe feeding it and fit an insulated jacket over the tap itself. Even better - if you've got an isolating valve inside, I'll show you how to drain the outside tap for winter so there's no water to freeze.
How long does pipe lagging last?
Proper outdoor lagging should last 5-10 years easily. The foam itself is fine indefinitely - it's the UV and weather that degrades cheap stuff. If I've used good quality materials and secured it properly, you won't need to think about it again for years.
Will this work in really cold weather?
Lagging works for normal UK winters (down to about -10°C). If we get a freak freeze like 2010, even lagged pipes can freeze if they're not being used. Best practice is to run your outside tap once a day in very cold weather, or isolate and drain it completely for winter.
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