Advice on what to do to avoid problems from burst water pipes in cold winter weather.
If frozen water pipes burst, water can cascade through ceilings, causing misery and costly damage to rooms and furniture.
A few simple precautions can help prevent problems:
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Check the location of your stop taps and ensure they are in good working order
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Repair dripping taps and turn them off
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Ensure tanks and cisterns are lagged and open the loft door to let heat circulate
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Lag pipes in unheated areas, especially the loft. The best lagging for pipes is pre-formed tubular insulating material, available from most DIY stores
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If you are going away, even for the weekend, leave heating on low or drain down the system
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If a pipe bursts, turn off the stop tap and central heating boiler immediately and call a plumber.
For more information, go to the South East Water website.
