The current spell of severe cold weather has the potential of causing New Year misery for thousands of householders in Scotland and Northern Ireland. However by taking a few simple steps to protect their plumbing and heating systems, householders can avoid both considerable inconvenience and damage to their home and belongings.
Robert Burgon, Director and Secretary of SNIPEF (The Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation) said "Following a prolonged spell of cold weather, our member businesses often receive hundreds of calls from concerned firms and homeowners who have experienced flooding caused by a burst pipe”.
"Frozen water in pipes expands, often causing them to burst once the thaw sets in, but a few simple precautions taken now can prevent customers finding themselves up to their ankles in cold water and facing thousands of pounds worth of flood damage to their property."
By following these simple precautions you can significantly reduce the risk of burst pipes within your home or office premises:
PLUMBING TOP TIPS
1 Keep your property warm with the heating on low, even if you are away from home, and leave a key with someone who can check it regularly for frozen pipes.
2 Make sure any exposed pipe work or tanks especially in attics are insulated.
3 Find out where your mains stopcock is and make sure it works.
4 Dripping water increases the risk of freezing, so have any leaks at taps or valves repaired as soon as you discover them.
5 If a pipe does burst contact your local SNIPEF registered plumber or visit www.needaplumber.org or call 0845 224 0391
