Protect your home this winter
The colder months are here, so it’s important that you take the necessary steps to keep your home safe and prevent cold weather emergencies such as frozen pipes.
Here are the steps we recommend you take:
- Locate your internal stop tap and check it’s working in case you need to turn off your supply.
- Lag any pipes which are in exposed, draughty areas such as attics and garages. You can purchase lagging from most hardware shops and large DIY stores.
- If you have an outdoor tap, cover it up to protect it from the cold.
- Make sure your boiler is serviced and in good working order.
- Keep your central heating on a low setting if you go away.
It’s useful to have the phone number of a qualified plumber to hand in the event of an emergency. Visit WaterSafe for a list of approved plumbers in your area.
Frozen pipes
If you think you have a frozen pipe, you should do the following:
- turn off your supply via your internal stop tap, which is usually located under your kitchen sink
- partly turn on any affected taps to help thaw out the pipe(s)
- if you know which pipe is frozen, wrap it in warm towels.
Once the pipe has thawed, turn your water supply back on at the internal stop tap.
For further help and advice, call an approved, qualified plumber.