Preparing private homes for severe weather

If you're leaving your home vacant for an extended period of time over the winter months, consider the following:

• Don't lower the heating too much. It may save on the heating bill, but is it worth the risk of a frozen pipe? Leave your central heating on low at around 15°c to prevent existing water from freezing.
• Alternatively, particularly in the event of an extended absence from your home, you could drain the plumbing system entirely. If you're considering doing this, you should seek professional advice.
• Make sure that pipes in unheated areas like lofts and, where accessible, under floor spaces are insulated with high quality foam lagging.
• Have someone keep an eye on your home, who knows where the stopcock is, should they find a leak.

Tell-tale signs of a frozen pipe include no water coming from the tap, frost or ice on the outside of the pipe and if the pipe is bulging. If you act fast, a frozen pipe doesn't always mean a burst pipe:

• Turn off the stopcock.
• Remove any furniture or equipment from the area, which may get damaged by the water.
• Open the tap closest to the area and begin gently warming the tap with a hairdryer or hot water bottle, starting from the end closest to the tap and working away from the faucet.
• Remember, although damage to pipes occurs when they freeze, bursts only become apparent when the pipe begins to thaw.

If it's apparent that a pipe in your home has burst, you should:

• Turn off the stopcock and drain the system by opening taps in baths and sinks.
• Seek professional advice.