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It's quick, it's easy, and it could help you protect your personal property and possessions.

Imagine the damage and distress to your daily life if the pipes in your home were to freeze and burst this winter.  Help protect your home and property by following this simple pipe check:

Step 1 - Check that your pipes have been lagged.

Step 2 - Check that all lagging is securely fitted.

Water is a big part of our daily routine, and and it only takes one big freeze to cause a burst pipe, loss of water and potentially costly repairs.  That's why we've put together some useful information to help you prepare your property for the winter weather.

All pipework within your property boundary is your responsibility, and spending a little time on simple frost protection now could help you avoid trouble and expense later in the winter. 

Avoiding Frozen Pipes

• Insulate water tanks and pipes in unheated areas like lofts, roof spaces, garages and outbuildings.  This is also applicable to non-domestic premises and holiday homes likely to be unoccupied and unheated for prolonged periods of time.
• Insulation is essential in helping to prevent water in pipes from freezing.  It is also important to ensure that there are no gaps in the insulation at bends, valves and fittings.
• Lagging material for pipes can be purchased in DIY or hardware stores.  It should be noted that, even with lagging, extreme weather conditions can result in pipes freezing.  Without lagging, however, the potential for this to happen is greatly increased. 
• Fix dripping taps - a small trickle of water can freeze and completely block the pipe.
• Find your internal stop-tap/valve - it is usually, but not always, located beneath your kitchen sink and normally closes by turning clockwise.  You may want to test it is working.
• Service your boiler regularly.
• Make sure doors and windows from unheated parts of your property are kept closed and minimise any drafts from outside.
• If you have tanks or pipes in the roof space, allow some warm air to circulate by opening the trap door (this should only be a temporary measure, as it will cause condensation - tanks and pipes should idaelly be insulated).
• If you are away, leave the heating on low.  Leave a key with a neighbour, friend or family member who can check the property in your absence.
• Note the details of a qualified plumber.
• If a property is unused or empty for a long period of time, it is advisable to turn the water supply off at the stop-tap and consider draining the system to lessen the possibility of burst pipes going undetected, causing damage to the property and waste of water.

Free Stop-Valve Tag

Think ahead; why not contact us to obtain a free stop-valve tag?  We have produced a bright yellow tag for customers to loop around the stop-valve in their premises.  This will ensure they are aware of the location of the stop-valve and it will be easily identifiable in the event of a burst pipe. 

A stop-valve is used to shut off the flow of water in a pipe.  Stop-valve tags are available free of charge to customers by telephoning 08457 44 00 88 or emailing [email protected]

Dealing with Frozen Pipes

• Turn off the water supply at the stop-valve/tap
• Thaw along the pipe, starting at the end nearest the tap
• Do not use a blow lamp or other naked flame
• Put hot water bottles or a thick cloth soaked in hot water over the frozen pipe or use a hair dryer on its lowest setting
• Be careful not to thaw too quickly
• Do not leave taps dripping or running.  The water may not wash down the plughole if the pipes below are frozen

If a Pipe Bursts

• Turn off the stop-valve/tap
• Try to block escaping water with thick cloths, ie: towels
• Turn on all taps to drain the system and reduce flooding
• Call a qualified plumber - NI Water recommends that you use an Approved Plumbing Contractor.  Click on www.needaplumber.org or call the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation (SNIPEF) during normal office hours on 0845 224 0391.
• Don't forget to turn the taps off once the burst is repaired to avoid further flooding

If you have chacked the pipes on your property and they are not burst or frozen, and you still have no water supply, please contact NI Water on 08457 44 00 88.