Winterproof your home ahead of the cold weather
Little things you can do to keep your home leak-free this winter.
Stay warm and snug this winter!
It’s getting cold out there now. In the same way we’re reaching for our hats, scarves and gloves to keep ourselves toasty, our waterpipes need similar protection. If they get too cold, the water inside them freezes, expands and can split the pipe.
Look after your boiler
An unexpected spell of cold weather is often the time people find out their boiler or heating system has a problem. Get it serviced at the start of winter and you’ll know it’s fighting fit and working efficiently to keep you warm all winter.
Know where your stop taps are
If you know exactly where your stop tap is, you’ll be able to turn the water off quicker in an emergency. Stop taps are often located under your kitchen sink, but may also be under the stairs, near your front door or in the pavement outside your home.
Practice turning off your stop tap – clockwise to tighten (right to tight).
Going away? Leave the heating on low
If you’re going away and leaving the house empty, remember to keep your heating on low (min 14ºC). This will help to stop your pipes freezing and reduce the chances of coming back to burst pipes and a soggy home.
Check your outdoor taps
Look for drips, these can freeze and cause a build-up of ice that can cause the pipes to freeze back into your home. Wrap them up or fit a tap jacket.
Protect exposed pipes
Lagging pipes protects against bursts and helps make your heating more efficient.
Look after pipes that are in locations exposed to cold air – the garage, loft or outdoors. Wrap them up with lagging or fit pipe insulation to help prevent them freezing and bursting, then flooding your home when it thaws.
Check for leaks
A dripping pipe can push up water bills, damage your home and could mean a full burst is more likely. Fix leaks as soon as you can.
Check your meter readings
If you have a water meter, keep a look out for unexpectedly high readings – this suggests you have a leak. You can track your water usage using MyAccount.
Watch out for damp spots
Leaks can be in hard-to-reach areas under floorboards. Watch out for damp or mouldy spots, noisy pipes or low water pressure. You might see a damp spot outdoors if the leak is under your driveway.
How to spot a leak and what to do about it
As discussed above, your meter will be the best indicator of any small, not-easily-seen leaks. If you suspect you have an internal leak, you should first turn off your water supply at the internal or external stop tap to prevent any further damage. Then call the plumber who you have contact details for.
Alternatively, if you spot a leak outside, follow the link below to find out what to do.
How we’re helping to keep your mind at ease
Winter is the busiest time for our technicians, who start to deal with more leaks and blockages everyday. They work tirelessly, fighting the elements, to maintain our network. However, sometimes this means that there are disruptions to your supply.
Our Priority Services are available for customers who may have individual needs that mean we need to prioritise them in the case of an emergency, e.g. a medical condition.
