'Beat the Freeze' this weekend
15 November 2013 11:19
Lagging is not expensive, nor is it hard to find. Any good DIY store will stock this.
Follow NI Water’s top tips:
- Insulate water tanks and pipes in unheated areas like lofts, garages and outbuildings;
- Fix dripping taps – a gentle trickle of water can freeze and completely block the pipe;
- Keep your boiler well serviced to ensure your house is heated;
- If you are away from home during the winter period, open the trap door into the roof space to allow some of the warm air to circulate;
- If you are away from home you could leave a key with someone who can check the house regularly
- Know where your stop valve is in the case of an emergency - it is normally situated under the kitchen sink;
- DO NOT run your tap to avoid a frozen pipe; a running tap can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water per day;
- Write down the contact details of a registered plumber in case a pipe does burst.
Lagging your pipes really is easier than you think. Spending 30mins – 1 hour protecting your property (not forgetting outside taps and outbuildings) this weekend is a small price to pay compared to the heartache and cost of a burst pipe.