One of the major issues that can occur when the weather gets cold is frozen and burst pipes. This can cause a great deal of inconvenience and be costly to repair, so it’s best to take measures to stop this from happening wherever possible. Here are some top tips to prevent burst pipes in the winter.
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Keep your heating on
Running the central heating at a low level continuously will maintain the temperature in the pipes so water is unable to freeze. If you’re away for long periods of time in the winter months, it’s worth not switching your heating off completely, especially if it’s going to be particularly cold. Check your home insurance policy, as you may have to keep the house at a certain temperature for it to be valid. There is now technology available that can monitor your home through a series of smart sensors and alert you to problems, such as a burst pipe, before they become too big.
Have your pipes insulated
Pipes and water tanks fitted into the loft or the basement are often left exposed and can get very cold during the winter. The cost to insulate these effectively is minimal compared to the cost and inconvenience of having to claim on your insurance and repair damage caused by burst pipes.
Book a boiler service
Having your boiler serviced once a year will help to keep it running efficiently and ensure all the parts are working correctly. This can be done by a company that carries out a boiler installation in Gloucester, like http://www.hprservicesltd.com/. It will also reduce the risk of a winter breakdown. Leaving yourself without any central heating or hot water in a cold spell can result in frozen and burst pipes.
Drain the system
If you’re going on holiday or leaving the property for a long time, it can be worthwhile to drain your water pipes and central heating system so there’s no water left to freeze.
Keep the loft warm
During the winter, loft spaces can become particularly cold, and this can cause the pipes to freeze. To help alleviate this, let warm air circulate into the loft by leaving the hatch open. You can also take the same approach if your kitchen sink is fitted to an outside wall by keeping the cupboard doors open.
