Bucks residents urged to protect their pipes against the cold

Buckinghamshire residents and businesses are being given advice on protecting their water pipes against the cold.

Thames Water are calling for people to ensure their pipe work is protecting against potential damage caused by the fluctuating weather temperatures.

Cold temperatures can see water freeze in pipes, this can cause cracks and some pipes may burst as the water melts and expands.

Kieran Ingram, Thames Water's head of water networks, said:

"The last thing anyone wants during a winter lockdown is a burst water pipe in their home or business.

"During the cold weather, there are a lot of small things we can all do to keep our properties warm and reduce the risk of pipes becoming stressed or even bursting.

"This is especially important for business premises which may be unoccupied during the current lockdown, meaning leaks could go unnoticed for weeks on end.

"These little changes don't just keep the water flowing where it should be: our taps, toilets and home appliances, but can also save money on heating and energy bills."

Thames Water asking property owners to look at the following advice:

• Locate the stop-tap as you may need to turn your water off quickly in an emergency.
• Insulate internal and external water pipes with foam tubing called lagging, particularly in the loft and garage. This is still effective even if it is already freezing.
• Keep the heating on low when you go out to prevent pipes freezing. If away for a while, turn off the stop-tap and drain the system to ensure there's no water to freeze.
• Keep the name and number of a plumber handy and check your home insurance covers things like your pipes. If it doesn't, consider taking out home emergency cover.
• Change the washers in dripping taps. These drips can freeze, while fixing a leaky tap can also save up to one litre of water a day.
• Bleed radiators that aren't heating to the top, using a radiator key to open the valve and release trapped air.
• Ensure boilers are serviced about once a year. If a boiler breaks down it can be expensive and disruptive.

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