Keep your pipes warm

Published 24 Feb 2010 08:49

Scottish Water is advising customers in ­Ayrshire to ensure their homes are properly heated and help prevent burst pipes as more cold weather is forecast.

Taking action to heat, insulate and protect pipes can help householders avoid burst pipes and the damage and disruption they can cause.

Mrs Charlene McBride, Scottish Water's regional community manager for the area, said: "Scottish Water is encouraging householders to take action to protect their pipes during the latest spell of cold weather across the country.

"Low temperatures and then a rise in temperature following a cold snap can lead to pipes expanding and bursting.

"Some customers were affected by burst pipes in the cold snap in January and there is a risk of further bursts during this latest cold weather. But taking some precautionary measures could help prevent this."

Scottish Water has a series of simple steps which customers can follow to help prevent burst pipes:

Heat

Leave your heating on at a low temperature.

Make sure heaters are well-maintained and working properly. Leave a key and contact details with neighbours or family if you are going away.

Insulate

Check loft insulation is thick and in good condition.

Protect

Have any leaks at taps or valves repaired.

Fit draught excluders to your doors and windows.

Mr Peter Farrer, Scottish Water's customer service delivery director, added: "There can be few things worse than coming home to find your home ankle deep in freezing water and your furniture, carpets and beds all ruined because of a burst pipe. If people follow our simple steps to heat, insulate and protect their homes, then they can enjoy peace of mind and help reduce the risk of this happening during the latest cold weather."

Scottish Water also recommends that householders locate the stop valve, which is usually under the kitchen sink, and keep a note of necessary telephone numbers such as that of registered plumber.

For a copy of our Warm Pipes leaflet, Contact Card and your chance to receive one of 500 free thermometer fridge magnets, please visit our website on www.scottishwater.co.uk/warmpipes or call our Customer Helpline on 0845 601 8855 quoting Warm Pipes.

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