Steer clear of those plumbing emergencies
Being a savvy Sheila you’ll know that our houses are susceptible to problems that can be caused by severe cold weather conditions. If a leak from a burst pipe or water tank happens it can be very serious - potentially being very expensive and having highly disruptive consequences.
As soon as the harsh weather conditions are forecast it’s best to get our homes as protected as we can. We’ve put together a set of simple checklists that could help prevent serious plumbing problems caused by the cold conditions:
Being prepared
Get your house ready for the bad weather by taking these precautionary measures:
- Check that all pipes and tanks in the loft are fully lagged and insulated.
- Check that your loft insulation is thick enough and in good condition. If you haven’t already done so, consider insulating your loft.
- Isolate and/ or turn off any external taps or garden pipe work to prevent them from freezing.
- Keep the heating running 24 hours per day at a temperature of at least 5c (the coldest time is usually between 1am and 3am), especially between October and April. If possible, leave it running in all rooms.
- Find the main water stopcock making sure you can turn it off and on. If you have a water meter, the ‘off’ switch will be on the meter, usually right outside your house.
- Repair any leaking taps.
- If you have a pond or water feature with a pump, consider either running it constantly to prevent the pipes from freezing or switching it off as frozen pipes can prevent the pump from running, or they may burst when they thaw and drain the pond.
Going away?
The worst problems can be caused when a house is left unoccupied over night or for longer still. As well as the preparation steps we’ve suggested it’s also sensible to:
- Open the loft trap door to allow warm air to reach the loft.
- Leave your contact details with a trusted friend or neighbour and ask them to periodically check your home. A problem discovered sooner may mean damage and disruption is less.
- Keep ponds ice free - a football or equivalent will make it easier to get air to the pond a pond heater will also help keep the water ice free.
- Shut off and drain fixed water tanks, apparatus and pipes.
- Check your Home Insurance policy so you have peace of mind that you are adequately covered while away.
Frozen pipes:
If you have a frozen pipe or water tank, or suspect you may have one then these tips could help prevent a damaging escape of water when the temperature increases:
- Turn off the water at the main stopcock or meter.
- Switch off the central heating and immersion heater.
- Turn on all your taps to drain the central heating and water system.
- If water has flooded wiring or electrical systems – do not touch them before arranging a professional inspection. Turn off the electricity at the mains fuse board.
- Call a professional tradesman to make repairs.
- Notify your insurance company at the earliest opportunity should something happen
If you’re unsure about any of the tips provided above, speak to a qualified professional before doing anything.
