Pipe Freeze from Arctic Hayes by DiversiTech UK is 60 years young for 2026. UK Business Unit Director, Lee Parsons, looks back to its inception and outlines how it can help plumbers across a range of scenarios.
When faced with fixing pipes and boilers, replacing radiators or tackling emergency repairs, plumbers and heating engineers have often had to consider the option of draining an entire heating system.
It’s a process that can be time-consuming, wasteful and disruptive, yet a simple, ingenious and highly effective pipe freezing alternative, which was patented 60 years ago, has long saved them valuable time, money and effort on the job.
Since 1966, Pipe Freeze kits from Arctic Hayes have been seen as a trusted alternative to the drain down and keeping works uncomplicated and hassle-free. The principle is straightforward and the benefits haven’t changed, but the reliability of today’s kits reflects decades of refinement. They remain as relevant today as they were when they first arrived.
Isolation
Pipe Freeze kits create a temporary, solid ice plug within a pipe so you can isolate sections of the system without the need to drain it – and no need to locate a stop-cock or service valves either. This ice plug can also withstand pressure, allowing plumbers to work on the pipes without disruption and the risk of thawing and leaks. What might otherwise take half a day can often be completed in a single visit.
Modern pipe freeze kits such as those in the Arctic Hayes portfolio, are far more controlled and predictable than older methods, making them suitable for a wide range of domestic and light commercial applications. When used correctly, they allow plumbers and installers to work cleanly and confidently on live systems while maintaining control of the job.
These kits can reduce job time’s by an average of 85 per cent, based on a two-hour drain down and refill – also reducing the potential for water spillage and property damage – which is a significant time saving in any working day.
Three kits
There are three different types of kit in the range; ‘Aero’, ‘Professional’ and ‘Electric’ and each caters for a range of pipe sizes and applications, so choosing the right one for the job at hand is really easy.
Pipe Freeze ‘Aero’ is an entry-level disposable kit, containing enough refrigerant to perform a single freeze on small diameter pipework up to 28mm and can be used for jobs such as changing a radiator valve, replacing a stop-cock or other service valves.
The ‘Professional’ range comes with extra features such as re-useable components and dual freeze options, designed for plumbers and engineers who carry out regular pipework repairs and maintenance such as replacing stopcocks, radiator valves, heating pumps, zone valves and installing magnetic filters. Based on a standard 15mm copper pipe, the Professional Pipe Freeze kit can freeze pipes in a matter of minutes.
Designed for professionals engaging in a large-scale contract domestic and commercial plumbing jobs, such as university accommodation and social housing, the ‘Electric’ range of Pipe Freeze Kits delivers mains-powered pipe freezing with an indefinite freeze time when used with a continuous power supply. Each kit includes everything you need: appropriately sized head clamps and reducers, freeze cream, gloves, and instructions.
Working on large plumbing contracts, means no consumable or maintenance costs, saving you time and money, plus going ‘Electric’ also means completing jobs without monitoring refrigerant levels.
Repeatable process
Whether replacing a radiator, installing a new tap, repairing a leaking shower or swapping out a stopcock, emptying an entire heating system is time-consuming and inconvenient and can leave homes or commercial premises without heating and hot water for extended periods.
That’s why for six decades solid, pipe freeze kits continue to hold their place in plumber and heating engineer toolkits and vans, year after year.
Advanced refrigerants, durable freeze jackets and rigorous testing ensure the ice plug remains stable throughout the repair process. The process itself is uncomplicated and repeatable, giving engineers a dependable method for handling routine maintenance and emergency repairs alike.
Image: Arctic Hayes
