Protect Your Home Against Frozen Pipes

25 January 2010

An average of a quarter-million families have their homes ruined and their lives disrupted each winter, all because of water pipes that freeze and burst.

The cost and personal inconvenience caused by a burst pipe claim can be considerable. A flooded home is not just an inconvenience; it can be devastating if your personal belongings are damaged beyond repair.

By taking a few simple precautions, you can save yourself the mess, money and aggravation frozen pipes cause.

Some basic tips:

• Check the location of your stopcock.
• Ask yourself the question, does your boiler need servicing?
• Check the insulation on your water pipes and cold water tank, those in the attic or other vulnerable spaces should be lagged or similarly protected.
• Modern methods of insulation can be so effective in keeping heat within your property that attics can become very cold, this could cause a pipe to freeze! Keep your loft hatch open if you have pipes in the attic to keep this area warm.
• Allow warm air to circulate by keeping doors between heated and unheated rooms open.
• Keep cupboard doors open below sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.
• Seal any holes or gaps that may be letting cold air into your property.
• Make sure any external taps are turned off and disconnect any hoses.
• If you discover a frozen pipe turn off your water supply and then slowly thaw the affected pipe by introducing gentle heat to the area e.g. hair dryer, space heater, hot water bottle.

If you're planning on going away

• Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 55°F (12°C).
• Ask a friend or neighbour to check your house daily
• Shut off and drain the water system but be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it will be deactivated when you shut off the water.
• Ensure you have complied with any unoccupancy conditions or warranties listed in your policy. Contact us if you need clarification, we would be delighted to help.

What if the worst happens?

• Immediately turn off the water supply at the stopcock to prevent any more water escaping.
• Do not use any electrics if you believe these may have been affected by the escaping water. Arrange to have them checked by a professional electrician.
• Call us immediately to report your claim. We have an arrangement with local specialists who can assist with the drying out and clean up of your property and also the necessary repairs or replacement.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any further advice. We would be delighted to help whether we hold your existing home insurance or not.