Paid collaboration with Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water
As the previous few days have proven us, chilly climate snaps can come on instantly and temperatures can plummet to freezing in a single day.
Because of this we’re working with Welsh Water on their Get Winter Prepared marketing campaign, highlighting the issues chilly climate could cause in individuals’s houses and the necessity to put together for winter climate.
You might nicely have seen on Cardiff Mummy Says that we’ve been going by a giant home extension and renovation. It’s been a chaotic couple of years residing in a constructing web site however we’re slowly coming by it. We’re so happy with the outcomes and loving how the additional house and open plan residing has benefitted household life a lot already.
Nonetheless one factor we hadn’t thought-about in nice element was how to make sure we take the required steps to cease any disasters brought on by the chilly.
Having gone by a lot constructing work, the very last thing we would like is a frozen pipe bursting and flooding the place and having the upheaval of pricey repairs, particularly given the present price of residing disaster, so we’ve been going by the recommendation and taking steps to assist shield our property.
Right here’s what Welsh Water advises in the case of making ready your house for the chilly, and the steps we’ve been taking to minimise harm brought on by winter climate.
What harm can winter climate trigger to pipes and faucets?
Almost 1 / 4 of individuals in Wales have skilled frozen pipes of their houses, in accordance with a survey by YouGov. Of these, 16% had skilled a burst pipe, typically leading to lots of of kilos of harm.
The truth is, in accordance with the Affiliation of British Insurers (ABI) £1.8 million is paid out by house insurance coverage suppliers day by day in ‘water escape’ claims, with a median of £8,800 per declare.
When temperatures drop, the water in your pipes and faucets can freeze. This may end up in a water blockage and pipes can burst, creating leaks. Pipes and faucets which might be outdoor or in chilly locations comparable to a loft or storage, are extra inclined to freezing.
Welsh Water works tirelessly all through the winter months to take care of provides regardless of the climate. Nonetheless they want clients’ assist to minimise the affect of burst pipes and leaks, which may trigger havoc with partitions, flooring and furnishings, and be pricey to restore.
When an issue happens on pipes in houses, it’s the duty of the house owner or landlord so it’s positively value taking steps to cut back the probability of it taking place within the first place.
The best way to shield your house from chilly climate harm
A lot of this harm could possibly be prevented, which is why each Winter, Welsh Water highlights key methods to guard your house from the harm brought on by winter climate. Learn on for extra data on the simple steps you’ll be able to take to be sure you’re house is prepared for winter.
- Wrap up your pipes to maintain them heat
When temperatures drop, the water in your pipes and faucets can freeze, with these which might be outdoor or in chilly locations, comparable to a loft or storage, extra inclined to freezing.
So what’s the reply? Properly, similar to you would possibly placed on a hat or gloves and wrap up heat when chilly climate arrives, faucets and pipes profit from a comfortable additional layer too – a course of referred to as ‘lagging’.
Nonetheless, 40% of individuals in Wales don’t know how one can lag uncovered pipes and a complete of 63% have by no means tried this earlier than. Lagging tools may be purchased at most DIY shops, or Welsh Water is providing a restricted variety of free lagging kits to clients, which may be discovered right here.
I used to be amongst these statistics till Welsh Water despatched me a equipment to attempt – and it was truly simpler than I believed to chop to dimension and place over the pipes, taking simply a few minutes.
Welsh Water have outlined three key areas the place pipes are more likely to want defending – out of doors water pipes and faucets, together with turning off the valve and draining outdoors hoses; pipes in unheated locations comparable to attics, garages and kitchen cupboards; and buildings which may be empty for just a few days comparable to companies, colleges and second houses, the place it’s advisable to show off the cease faucet and drain the system so there’s no water to freeze.
2. Test your cease faucet
Fingers up if you understand the place your cease faucet is? In case you don’t, then discover out. In case you do get a burst pipe, you’ll be capable to flip the water off and minimise water harm.
There are two several types of cease faucets – exterior, that are situated outdoors the property (typically below a metallic or plastic cowl) and are the duty of the water firm, and management the mains water provide to your property; and inside, that are located inside the house and are the duty of the house proprietor. These are generally situated beneath the kitchen sink however is also present in an airing cabinet, below the steps, close to the entrance door, within the toilet, utility room, storage or cellar.
3. Repair any dripping faucets
It’s simple to think about a dripping or leaking faucet as a minor annoyance, but when it’s not fastened promptly it may result in even worse issues. If not repaired, one thing so simple as a damaged valve, seal or washer may result in corrosion or different components breaking due to the leak. This might lead to pricey repairs, and a larger threat of winter harm. A superb plumber will be capable to determine and resolve the problem earlier than it turns into even worse.
Do you know, by Welsh Water’s Venture Cartref scheme, Welsh Water can repair numerous small leaks in your property free of charge? Head to the web site to search out out extra.
4. Hold your house cosy
Changing cracked home windows or putting in double glazing can prevent a small fortune on heating payments. Frost could cause lots of harm to your partitions so that you must also make sure that the partitions aren’t cracked.
In case you’re going away this winter, then there are steps you’ll be able to take to maintain your home hotter and to cut back the possibility of chilly climate harm. Draft excluders, maintaining the curtains closed, and becoming the lagging kits beforehand talked about to your pipes can all assist. Setting your heating to come back on for brief bursts when you’re away may additionally work out cheaper than repairing the harm brought on by a burst pipe.
5. Service your boiler
Get a professional engineer to test your boiler is working correctly. Ideally this must be finished yearly in order that any points may be found earlier than they turn out to be too problematic. A boiler service takes round an hour, and have to be carried out by a Fuel Secure Registered engineer who will comply with a complete guidelines. Figuring out issues early can forestall larger points in a while, and hopefully imply you’ll be much less more likely to discover your boiler breaking in the course of winter.
6. Insulate your loft and water meter cabinets
Not solely will this assist shield uncovered pipes however insulating your loft can prevent as much as £250 a 12 months in heating payments, whereas getting cavity partitions insulated will make your house even hotter.
7. Clear your gutters
Clear any leaves or muck out of your gutters to forestall undesirable flooding. Plus check out your roof and chimney, change any damaged roof tiles, and get your chimney swept.
Many individuals could also be going into winter feeling notably frightened about their funds or struggling to afford the necessities, as a result of improve in price of residing. Welsh Water is reminding clients who’re frightened about paying their water invoice to get in contact, as they could be eligible for monetary assist to assist in the direction of paying their water invoice.
Go to www.dwrcymru/helpwithbills to see how Welsh Water may assist you to save lots of as much as £230 off your annual water invoice.
8. Higher protected this winter
We have been stunned simply how simple it was to suit the lagging equipment to our pipes. It took simply a few minutes, and all we wanted was the lagging and a pair of scissors to chop the tubing to dimension.. Together with the opposite suggestions from Welsh Water, it’s made us really feel extra assured that our newly-refurbished house will likely be higher protected when the chilly climate hits this winter.
For extra data on Dwr Cymru’s Get Winter Prepared marketing campaign and to get your fingers on a free lagging equipment, go to:https://www.dwrcymru.com/en/winter-ready
