Preventing a Wet Christmas

Winter may not officially start until 21st December, but temperatures are now beginning to tumble. Freezing weather could be with us at any time, so make sure your plumbing system is protected. The last thing you want is a burst pipe on Christmas Day!

The professional body for the UK plumbing and heating industry, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), has issued the following advice:

• If you have water pipes in your roof space or attic, check them out to make sure they are effectively insulated. It’s best to buy the foam insulation that wraps snugly around the pipe.
• Usually, people are not aware of when a pipe freezes until it begins to thaw. Make sure you know where the stop-valves (sometimes called stop-cocks) are located. By turning off the water supply swiftly, you could save a lot of water damage to your furnishings and property.

Bryan Clark, Technical and Education Manager says: “The stop-valve controls the water entering your home and is often sited under the kitchen sink, but it depends on where the service point enters the property. Sometimes you will have an additional stop-valve in your loft or airing cupboard. If you can’t find the internal valve don’t worry, you can still turn off the water at the external valve, which may be under a cover in your garden or path.

“A good tip is to find these stop valves and label them before any plumbing emergencies occur. Try to gently turn them off and back on again. If it won’t budge, don’t force it - you’ll need to get a plumber to replace it.”