How to manage water use during Christmas and New Year closures

Take a clear meter reading before you leave

Before the last person leaves the site, take a moment to read your water meter and record the exact figure. This simple action creates a clear benchmark for the entire closure period, allowing you to see at a glance whether anything changed while the building was empty. When you return in the new year, comparing the two readings will show you instantly if there has been any unexpected use, which could point to a leak or an equipment fault. Having this information ready means you can investigate issues immediately rather than discovering them weeks later on your next bill.

Turn off water where it is not needed

Once you know which areas of your building rely on water every day, it becomes easier to decide what can be safely turned off for the festive shutdown. Kitchens, staff rooms, external taps, dishwashers and some washroom facilities usually do not need to run during a closure. Turning off supplies to these areas greatly reduces the chance of leaks or faults occurring when no one is around to spot them. It also helps prevent unnecessary water use that could add cost to your next bill. Keeping water on only where it’s essential, such as for boilers or frost protection systems, enables you to safeguard your building without disrupting equipment that must remain active.

Make sure your pipes are protected from cold weather

Winter conditions can create serious issues for commercial buildings, especially during periods of low or no occupancy. Pipes located in unheated rooms, service cupboards, loft spaces or external walls can easily freeze when temperatures drop. Once frozen, they’re at high risk of bursting, which can result in significant damage by the time anyone returns to the site. Before you close for Christmas, check that exposed pipework is properly insulated and that any vulnerable areas of the building are kept warm enough to prevent freezing. If you have outdoor taps or lines, make sure they are fully drained and securely shut off.

Flush your water when you return

When you open the building again in January, it’s important to refresh the water in your system. Water that has been sitting still can lose quality, especially in parts of the building that are used less frequently. Running taps, showers and outlets until they reach their normal temperature helps clear out stale water and supports your Legionella management procedures. This is also a good opportunity to restart any appliances or equipment that were switched off before the break, like dishwashers, ice machines or drinks dispensers.

Give the building a careful check before operations resume

Before bringing staff or customers back into the building, take a little time to walk around and check key areas. Look for signs of dampness, listen for unusual sounds in the pipework and make sure toilets, taps and appliances are working as expected. Take a new meter reading and compare it with the one you recorded before the break. If the numbers do not match your expectations, you will know something needs attention.

If you are preparing your site for the Christmas shutdown, this is also a good time to step back and think about your wider water costs for the year ahead and whether your current supplier is still offering the best value. Switching business water suppliers is straightforward when you have clear readings and a good understanding of your usage, and our team at The Business Water Shop can support you through every step. If you want to start the new year with lower costs, clearer billing or a more reliable service, we are here to help you compare options and secure a deal that works better for your business.