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Handy hints to avoid pricey burst pipes repair bills


By Alan Beresford

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WITH temperatures set to fall in February householders are being given tips to avoid costly repair bills caused by burst pipes.

Some handy hints could prevent hefty repair bills this winter.
Some handy hints could prevent hefty repair bills this winter.

Insulating exposed pipes now will help prevent leaks and the costly damage that can result from pipework freezing and bursting this winter.

However, if a pipe freezes, make sure to follow this trio of top tips:

  1. Turn off the water supply coming in to your property at the stop tap.
  2. Open all your taps to drain the system as quickly as possible, saving some water in a bucket, if you can, for flushing toilets and hand washing. When the water stops running, turn all the taps off.
  3. Slowly thaw the pipe with towels soaked in hot water or hot water bottles – never use a naked flame or blowtorch to thaw the pipe.

A survey of UK property owners by UK plumbing register WaterSafe reveals that 51 per cent of homeowners in Scotland do not check that they know where their internal stop tap is, in case they need to turn off their water in an emergency.

The main internal stop tap is usually located under the kitchen sink, but can also be found in downstairs bathrooms, kitchen cupboards, garages, cellars and under the stairs.

It is a good idea to regularly check that the stop tap is working and that it shuts your water supply off – but make sure to never force it. Turning the valve clockwise will close it, reducing or stopping the amount of water passing through your pipes.

To avoid pipes freezing in the first place, insulate pipes in unheated areas, such as lofts, roofs, garages and outbuildings, with inexpensive ‘lagging’, which is available from DIY stores. This is especially important for boiler condensate pipes, which run from a boiler to the outside of a building, normally to a drain.

Ensure there are no gaps at bends, valves or fittings, and don’t forget to insulate your hot water tank and pipes too.

Reducing heat loss means spending less money on energy bills, as a third of the gas and electricity used in homes goes on heating your water for washing, cooking and cleaning – something to consider as energy costs increase.

It is also important to repair leaky taps and valves to prevent frost damage and to save water too.

Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe, said: “Making sure exposed pipes are wrapped up and protected from winter weather should be on everyone’s new year’s resolutions list.

“Having the phone number of a qualified, approved plumber to hand in case of emergencies is also a good idea. Our survey showed that only 27 per cent of homeowners in Scotland do this though – so we’re encouraging everyone to check the WaterSafe database to find your nearest.”

The Met Office’s WeatherReady campaign, which encourages everyone to think about what they can do to prepare for and cope with severe weather.

Find out more about the #WeatherReady campaign, which is run by the Met Office in partnership with the Cabinet Office, at metoffice.gov.uk/weatherready



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