Problems with Water Pipes
Water pipes
Every property has a water supply. This usually serves the cold water tap in the kitchen and pipes are then routed to serve the domestic heating system and bathroom. Problems can arise with leaking pipes from either the water feed pipes (hot or cold) or the central heating pipes. This can be a particular problem in the colder months of the year where pipes are vulnerable to becoming frozen.
Building Regulations now state that every property must have a minimum level of protection from the effects of winter. This entails lagging pipes with insulating foam, protecting hot water cylinders with a British Standards Approved jacket as well as the cold water storage tank which is normally found in the loft if there is no combi-boiler in the property. In an older property, these minimum standards for insulation may not be present, so it is worth checking to see if your pipes and tanks are adequately insulated and that you are protected against the harsh British winters.
If you do not make sure that your pipes and water system are properly maintained and protected, they will be highly vulnerable to the effects of the cold weather. Pipes can easily freeze and burst in the winter, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and long-lasting personal stress to the homeowner.
How to make sure that your pipes are protected
1. If you do not know where your mains water stop cock is, then find it. This can make all the difference in an emergency situation as you will be able to turn the water off immediately to stop any further damage. It can normally be found under the kitchen sink in more modern properties.
For older homes, you might have to search a little, so look in cupboards, under the stairs, in the garage etc. Also tell everyone else in your household where it is and check from time to time that it can be turned on and off easily.
2. Check that all the taps in your home are working well. If they are dripping, get them fixed. It is well known that a dripping tap increases the risk of a frozen pipe. Pay particular attention to any outside taps and make sure that they are lagged with a custom-fit jacket or foam.
3. Inspect all your pipes, especially those in the loft and those that might be in outhouses. Make sure that they are covered in foam insulation that is at least 50mm thick.
4. Tanks are also susceptible to the cold weather. Ensure that your tanks are protected by adequate insulation. This will normally be through the use of foam jackets that are filled with fibreglass. It is normal for the base of a cold water storage tank in a loft to remain unlagged; this is so that the warm air from rooms below will keep the water from freezing in the cold loft.
5. If you are going away during the colder months, then drain your plumbing system down completely and switch your boiler off. This sounds like an extreme measure, but it will give complete peace of mind. Alternatively if you are only going to be away for a few days, leave your heating on at a constant, low setting and leave the loft hatch open to guard against frozen tanks and pipes.
Excerpt from Health & Safety Wear the appropriate safety gear. Each job demands specific safety protection...