Bath-based Wessex Water is reminding people across the area how to reduce the risk of frozen pipes and unwanted leaks as temperatures begin to drop.
Frozen pipes can burst, particularly in draughty lofts, and the water and sewerage company recommends insulating them now with lagging before colder weather hits.
Wessex Water also advises testing the stop tap, which is usually found under the kitchen sink, in an airing cupboard or garage, by turning it clockwise.
This shuts off a property’s water supply to minimise damage if a pipe freezes and bursts.
Doing this regularly means it won’t seize up and can take away some of the stress in an emergency.
A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “As well as locating and testing your stop tap, we recommend homeowners insulate exposed pipes in lofts and other draughty areas with lagging before it turns even colder.
“The last thing anyone needs when temperatures drop is to be dealing with the consequences of a burst pipe, including being without water and heating.
“Lagging pipes will help to protect them and prevent them from freezing and bursting in the first place.”
It is recommended to cover outdoor taps with an insulating cover, found in most DIY stores, as they are prone to freezing.
Each year, Wessex Water repairs around 16,000 water leaks. Approximately 70% of these are on their own pipework, with the remainder on homeowners’ private supply pipes.
