Householders urged to reduce the risk of burst pipes
During spells of severely cold weather the water pipes in your home may freeze. This sometimes leads to a burst pipe when the weather warms up.
Every year many householders are faced with damage to their property as a result of burst pipes, which can run into many thousands of pounds.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdLeave the central heating on for short periods throughout the day to make sure the temperature in each room is reasonably high.
Remove the trap door from the roof space to allow hot air from the main house to get into the loft.
Open the doors to the sink unit to allow warmer air to circulate round the pipes. Allow warm air to circulate round the full house by slightly opening the doors to the individual rooms.
If your home will be empty during the cold weather, ask a friend or neighbour to go in and turn the heating on for a short time and check for frozen pipes.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMost frozen pipes are found in the roof space and below sink units. If you discover a frozen pipe, it is best to thaw it out slowly by putting hot-water bottles or a towel soaked in warm water on the frozen area.
In the event of burst pipes:
• Turn off the water supply by turning the stopcock clockwise.
• If the flow of water cannot be stopped, open all the cold taps to drain the system.
• If the burst is on a pipe from the storage tank, turn off the stop valve in the storage tank, turn on all hot taps to drain the system, allow the fire to burn out or turn the heating off until the burst pipe has been attended to by a plumber.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad• Do not use the water heater as this may cause the hot water cylinder to collapse.
• Do not turn on the water supply until the burst pipe has been repaired.
• If the water has come into contact with electrical fittings the electricity should be turned off at the mains.
In the event of an emergency repair being required, Housing Executive tenants are advised to contact their local District Office during office hours or the Emergency Out of Hours Service in the evenings, weekend or holidays on 03448 920 901.