With winter arriving early this year, industry body Water UK is encouraging customers to take some immediate steps, such as lagging pipes and checking central heating, to ensure they stay safe and warm over the winter months.
The advice comes as new research commissioned by Water UK reveals that nearly a quarter (22%) of the UK public do nothing to prepare for winter, leaving themselves at risk of damage to pipes and potential internal flooding or water damage.
The survey also reveals that a third of the UK public (33%) wouldn’t know where to locate their stop tap in an emergency, leaving them exposed to freezing and bursting pipes (freeze-thaw) as the temperature drops. A stop tap (or stopcock) is a small tap on your water pipe which turns off the water supply to your property.
Freeze-thaw is the phenomenon which results in water pipes bursting as periods of very cold weather are followed by a rapid period of warming. Pipe damage can be very disruptive and expensive to repair but taking simple measures such as lagging your pipes, servicing your boiler regularly and clearing your gutters can help avoid it. However, the polling also showed that more than half (53%) had not heard of freeze-thaw.
The polling also revealed:
- 23% of respondents service their boiler less than the recommended once a year
- 40% of respondents didn’t know that the homeowner is responsible for maintaining the water pipes in in the home
- When asked which of the following people do to prepare their homes for winter: 55% have the boiler serviced, 41% bleed the radiator, 33% clean the gutters and 18% lag the pipes.
Water UK’s Director of Campaigns. Peter Jenkins said: “We all want to be warm and cosy over the winter months and not have to worry about our pipes freezing or our central heating packing up.
“Simple things like bleeding your radiator, getting your boiler serviced and lagging your pipes can help you and your family enjoy a trouble-free season.
“We know things are still difficult for many people and there’s lots of help available from your water company. If you are worried about paying your bills or in need of advice, then get in touch with your water company.”
As part of the campaign, Water UK is offering hints and tips to help customers prepare their homes against the effects of winter with an animation highlighting top tips to protect your home against freeze-thaw, and who to call in case of emergency.
Shorter versions of the animation to help customers get #WinterReady will be also posted across social media channels during the winter months.
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