I-EUMLiving in Korea

Winter freezing — do not turn off the boiler, and leave the water running a little

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Below zero, water meters, water pipes and boiler pipes can freeze and burst. Even when you are away, do not switch the boiler off — lower the temperature or use its "away" setting — and leave the hot water running a little.

📌 Key points

If you switch the boiler off, its anti-freeze function switches off too. Instead, lower the temperature or use the "away" setting. What "away" does differs by boiler maker, so check the manual.

🔢 Do these in order

  1. Before winter — fill the water meter box and wrap the boiler pipes with old clothes or similar to keep them warm.
  2. When you are away — do not switch the boiler off; set it 2–3 degrees lower than usual or use the "away" setting.
  3. If you are away for more than a day or on very cold days — leave the hot water running slightly.
  4. If it freezes — thaw it slowly with a warm wet towel or lukewarm water. Water hotter than 50°C will damage the meter.
  5. If it bursts — if the meter is broken or water is leaking, tell your local water office (in Seoul, the Dasan Call Center 120), and if you rent, tell your landlord too. If you do not know where to call, ask 1345.

📞 Contact

Your local water office (in Seoul, Dasan Call Center 120) · For boiler faults, the boiler maker's service center

💻 Do it online

❗ What happens if you don't

If the pipes freeze, hot water and heating stop, and if they burst, the meter or pipes may need replacing.

See also

Basis

  • 서울시 「겨울철 안전대책 — 수도계량기 동파」 (2025-11-15 ~ 2026-03-15) https://www.seoul.go.kr/story/safewinter/pc.html — 보호함 헌 옷 · 장기간 비우면 수도꼭지 조금 · 보일러 온수 한 방울씩 · 따뜻한 물수건 · 미지근한 물부터 · 50도 이상 금지 · 다산콜 120 · 수도사업소 (Claude 직접 대조)
  • 서울아리수본부 동파 경계 보도자료 (2025-12-26) https://arisu.seoul.go.kr/home/sub?dsn=1766706927-158-297&menukey=7205&mode=view — 120 · 수도사업소 (조사원 보고)
  • 매일신문 (2026-10-05, 한국에너지공단 인용) https://www.imaeil.com/page/view/2026100511560970884 — 「외출할 때 보일러를 끄지 말고 외출모드로 두거나 평소보다 2~3도 낮게」
  • 귀뚜라미 한파 동결 예방 수칙(이투데이 2026-01-21 https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2547648) — 전원 상시 연결 · 끄지 말고 온도 낮춤 · 배관 보온

This content was checked on 2026-10-05.

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