Simple steps to reduce the risk of burst pipes
During cold weather, inconvenience and damage
as a result of burst pipes is a possibility. Repairs alone can cost a small
fortune. However, with some simple precautions the risk can be reduced.
Prevention is
better than cure
Take
the following, simple steps. This will reduce the risk of a burst or frozen
pipe, and minimise the chance, of water damage or closure of your building
Preventing burst and frozen pipes
The following can help prevent your pipes from freezing:
·
know where the internal stop/tap valve is (usually under the
kitchen sink) and how to turn it off.
·
Isolate & drain down “legs” of pipework not in use (outside
taps cellars etc)
·
Out side taps, out building pipework needs insulation and protection
(Outside Tap Covers £3 and foam insulation B&Q)
·
keep the building heating on and warm the building even at
weekend and shut down periods. £10 spent on heating an empty space is a small
price to pay
·
Insulate pipes in exposed or draughty places (foam tubes £1 a
meter B&Q)
·
Leave the trap door to lofts and roof storage doors open, during
extreme weather conditions. This will help keep water tanks & pipes from
freezing
·
Make Sure taps are turned off properly, especially last thing at
night
·
Have a Plumbers or your maintenance persons number to hand
You should:
·
Never use gas or paraffin heater in the roof % Loft spaces
·
Become familiar with your water supply system now and find the
main stopcock which turns off the water supply to your property
·
Your sites Legionella Risk Assessment will have a schematic
diagram showing your mains water supply stop cock and isolation valves
Frozen pipes
In the event of a pipe
freezing:
·
Put hot water bottles or a thick cloth soaked in hot water over
the frozen pipe - when thawing, start at the end of the pipe nearest the tap
and work away from it
·
never use a naked flame
Burst pipes
If a pipe bursts:
·
Turn off the main stopcock
·
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, turn
the heating off until the burst pipe has been attended to by a plumber
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