Hot tips for cold weather
A sudden spell of freezing weather poses a real danger of burst pipes. However, this could be avoided by taking a few simple precautions.
Top tips:
- If you go away or leave your home for a few days, try to ensure your heating comes on at least once every day.
- Check that your loft insulation is thick and in good condition and run over the pipework where possible.
- Lag exposed pipes with felt or pipe-wrap. Tanks should also be lagged, but remember to leave a space beneath for warm air to circulate.
- Repair dripping taps and overflows. A build-up of ice can cause blockages.
- When it's very cold, leave the loft trapdoor open so warm air can circulate.
- Make sure you can turn off the inside stop valve in an emergency. It's usually under the kitchen sink.
- If the pipes freeze, turn water off at the stop valve and thaw pipes slowly using a hot water bottle or cloth soaked in hot water. Never use a blow lamp or heat gun.
- If the pipes burst, turn off the water and central heating systems before calling a plumber. You must get the house checked by a qualified electrician.
- Keep the name of a reliable plumber to hand.
Use our Clickable house to locate your inside stop valve
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