Step 1 Contact

To book a free, no-obligation site survey, call us on 02033764802 or email us at enquiries@icethermal.co.uk.

A member of our friendly support team will get back to you to talk through your frost protection needs. To help us plan, it's useful to know:

• What's at risk of freezing, such as water pipes, tanks, valves, sprinkler mains, dry or wet risers, or condensate lines
• Where it runs, such as outdoors, on a roof, in a car park, a loading bay, an unheated plant room or a loft space
• Whether any pipes have frozen or burst before, and where
• Whether there's insulation or trace heating already in place
• Roughly how much pipework there is, and what it's made of
• Whether your insurer has asked for frost protection
• How soon you need the system working, especially if winter is close

Photos and drawings are helpful if you have them, but they're not essential. Where we can, we'll give you an early idea of cost over the phone or by email. We'll then book a site survey at a time that suits you. If cold weather is on the way, let us know and we'll do our best to fit you in quickly.

Step 2 Quote

One of our trace heating engineers will visit your site to carry out a full survey, following all health and safety rules. They'll trace every pipe, tank and fitting at risk of freezing, and measure pipe sizes, lengths and materials. They'll also note every valve, flange, pump and support, since these lose heat faster and need extra protection.

We'll also look at:

• How exposed each area is to wind, rain and freezing temperatures
• Any dead legs or pipes where water stands still for long periods, as these freeze first
• The condition and thickness of any insulation already in place
• Any existing trace heating, and whether it's working
• Where power supplies are, and where thermostats and junction boxes can go
• Whether the system needs alarms or a link to your building management system (BMS)

If we find anything that might contain asbestos, we won't disturb it. Instead, we'll flag it so you can arrange a specialist survey.

We'll carry out a risk assessment at the same time, so nothing unexpected comes up once work starts. This covers access, working at height, electrical isolation, other trades on site and any site rules or permits.

Using the survey, we'll design a frost protection system that suits your site. We'll work out how much heat each pipe loses on the coldest days, then choose the right cable, plan circuit lengths and select the thermostats. You'll receive a free, detailed quote showing:

• The system design, including cable type, cable lengths and the number of circuits
• The thermostats and sensors to be fitted, and the temperature they'll switch on at
• The power supplies and connections needed
• The insulation to be fitted over the cable, and a weatherproof finish for outdoor runs
• Any alarms or BMS links
• A likely timeframe for the job

There's no obligation to go ahead, and the quote is yours to keep.

Step 3 The works

Before we start, we'll send you our risk assessments and method statements (RAMS). We'll agree working areas, start times, access, isolations and any permits with you, so everyone on site knows what to expect.

Our fully trained engineers will arrive on time, in uniform and with ID badges, ready to begin. If there's existing insulation, they'll carefully remove it first. They'll then fix the heating cable along each pipe to the manufacturer's instructions, adding extra cable at valves, flanges and supports where heat is lost faster. Power connection kits, junction boxes and end seals are fitted and sealed against moisture. Thermostats and sensors are placed where they'll pick up the coldest conditions, so the system switches on before the pipes are at risk.

Each circuit is tested before the insulation goes on, to make sure the cable hasn't been damaged during fitting. The pipework is then insulated to the right thickness. Outdoor runs are finished in weatherproof cladding, with sealed joints so rain can't soak the insulation. Warning labels are added along the pipe, so anyone working on it later knows it's trace heated. Electrical connections are made and tested to BS 7671, including residual current protection on every circuit.

Once everything is connected, we'll test each circuit again, set the thermostats and check the whole system is working as designed.

We'll keep a safe, tidy working area for everyone on site at all times. We can also work early, late or at weekends to keep disruption to a minimum.

When the work is finished, our team will walk the job with you and show you how the system works, including how to check it's switched on. We'll leave your site safe, clean and tidy, with all waste removed and disposed of properly.

Step 4 After care

Here at ICE Thermal, we go the extra mile to make sure every client is happy.

When the job is complete, you'll receive a handover pack that includes:

• The system design and a layout showing where each circuit runs
• Test results for every circuit, before and after insulation
• Electrical test records
• Thermostat settings and operating instructions
• Product data sheets for the cables, controls and insulation used

Keep this pack with your building records. It's useful for insurers, future maintenance and any changes to the system.

Frost protection sits unused for most of the year, so it's easy to forget about. The best time to test it is in the autumn, before the first frost. We can set up a yearly pre-winter test, so you know your system is ready every year.

Our dedicated customer service team will be in touch after the job to make sure all your expectations have been met. If anything isn't right, we'll come back and put it right.

You'll also be given the opportunity to leave a Trustpilot review, so other customers can hear about your experience.