GOING AWAY THIS WINTER?  HOW TO AVOID A BURST WATER PIPE

If you plan to be away from home at any time in the coming weeks, perhaps heading off for some winter sun or a skiing holiday, what should you do to avoid a burst water pipe?  BESA (the Building Engineering Services Association) has some timely advice.

12 January 2016 – If you plan to be away from home at any time in the coming weeks, perhaps heading off for some winter sun or a skiing holiday, what should you do to avoid a burst water pipe? After a long period of mild weather colder weather is imminent, perhaps even sub zero temperatures. With high energy bills there is always a temptation when leaving the house unoccupied to save money and switch off the heating.  But BESA (the Building Engineering Services Association) warns that you could risk arriving back to find a flooded house or flat.  Here’s their timely advice to help you strike the right balance between keeping bills down and avoiding a burst pipe.

• Don’t be tempted to turn off your heating altogether; cold weather can wreak havoc on water pipes so it’s best to keep your heating on low – around 10ºC / 50ºF.

• If you haven’t already got one, consider having a programmable thermostat fitted; these give you complete control over your heating and usually have a holiday setting.

• Make sure all water pipes in the loft are insulated with preformed insulation.

• Replace washers on dripping taps because if the taps freeze the pipe will become blocked.

• If you’re leaving house keys with a friend or neighbour make sure they know where the inside stop valve is and check that it is working.  They will need to get to it quickly if a pipe has burst.

• Leave the loft door open to let the heat from downstairs circulate into the attic.

• Insulate outside taps or turn them off at the stop tap, or drain them before you go away.

• Fix any dripping taps or overflows; a build-up of ice can cause a blockage.

For more information about the services offered by BESA members visit the TrustMark website at: www.trustmark.org.uk or call 0333 555 1234.

Ends

Issued on behalf of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) by Next Step Marketing Ltd

Media enquiries to:  Rhian Kelly.  Tel:  44(0)1256 472020;

Fax:  44(0)1256 471010; E-mail:  rhian@nextstepmarketing.co.uk

Notes to editors

Since its formation in 1904, BESA, the Building Engineering Services Association (formerly the HVCA) has represented the interests of companies engaged in a wide range of building and engineering services including domestic heating and renewable technologies.

BESA members are subject to regular, third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability, carried out by an independent certification body at least every three years.

BESA members who undertake gas installations are registered with Gas Safe – the gas safety watchdog body – and are also members of TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme designed to direct customers towards reliable tradespeople.

Tags: