Winter can be unpredictable and the next serious cold snap might be just around the corner, but what can you do to protect yourself from some of the damage it can cause?
Dealing with the repercussions of frozen and burst pipes can be expensive, damaging and very stressful, but you can follow some important steps to prevent the damage – or at least make sure it’s not too bad should the worst happen:
1 – It might sound simple, but is easily forgotten. Lag your pipes either with the special foam available at any DIY store, or with felt. Your water tank should also be covered, but with a space underneath for air to circulate.
2 – Your loft insulation should be thick and in good conditiom, and where possible, covering any exposed pipes in your loft – and when it is really cold, leave your trapdoor open to allow some warmer air to circulate up there.
3 – Is there a dripping outdoor tap or overflow pipe you’ve been meaning to get fixed? Sort it out sooner rather than later as this can lead to a build-up of ice. If you try and use an outdoor tap and find it blocked, make sure you turn it off again or it will run when it thaws.
4 – Check the inside stop valve (usually under the kitchen sink). If not used for a while, they can become stiff. You don’t want to discover that you can’t turn it when there is a leak.
5 – If you are going away for a few days, set your heating on a timer so it comes on once a day.
But what if the cold snap hits and you do suffer from a burst pipe?
1 – Turn the water off at the stop valve and use a warm cloth or hot water bottle to thaw them. Never use a heat gun or blowlamp!
2 – Turn off the water and heating systems before calling a plumber. And remember, a burst pipe could have sent water dripping past your electrical wiring, so you must also have the house checked by a qualified electrician.
And finally, always ensure you have the contact details of a reputable, reliable plumber - such as bestof Rugby recommended C Gregory and Co Ltd to hand.
Established since 1937, the Rugby based, Corgi-registered plumbers at C Gregory and Co Ltd are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
So don’t panic, turn off the water and give them a call.