Bath-based water and sewerage company Wessex Water is encouraging residents across Bath to begin preparing their homes for winter and colder weather.
With it starting to feel colder, taking the necessary steps to protect your home from the weather will help to prevent frozen or burst pipes.
A burst pipe can be a nightmare at the best of times, let alone during winter with Christmas right around the corner.
To help locals avoid a costly and messy repair job, Wessex Water has shared its top cold weather tips:
- Locate and test your stop tap just in case you experience a burst. They are usually located under the kitchen sink and can be turned off by rotating clockwise.
- Apply lagging to the pipes in your home that are exposed to the cold, such as in your garage or attic. You should also make sure your water tank is properly insulated.
- A dripping tap can make your pipes more likely to freeze. Fix any drips before the weather gets really cold – this will also help to save water.
- Prevent your outdoor tap from freezing by using an outdoor tap cover. They can be found in most hardware shops, or you could order one online.
- Make sure you have the details of a local WaterSafe plumber to hand. It’s important you contact a reliable professional if a burst occurs.
James Taylor, the regional leakage planning manager at Wessex Water, said: “Last year, we repaired around 17,500 leaks on our network – a number of factors can cause leaks, including ground movement due to sudden changes in temperature.
“Pipes in customers’ homes can be vulnerable too during cold weather, which is why we are encouraging people to check for leaks before the weather gets cold so it doesn’t lead to a frozen or burst pipe.
“If you have experienced a significant drop in water pressure, a higher than expected metered water bill, or you can hear the sound of running water when none is being used, you could have a leak.”
More information about how to prepare your home for winter can be found at www.wessexwater.co.uk/coldweather.
