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Protecting your pipes
The majority of bursts occur
because water becomes frozen in the pipes, expands
and cracks the pipe.
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| It is relatively
easy to safeguard your pipes from freezing by following
the procedures below: |
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Keep your property warm
whenever possible. |
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Keep windows closed and
stop draughts near pipes in unheated areas,
but remember you must provide ventilation
for boilers, gas fires etc. |
|
Insulate all exposed
water pipes, especially those in outside toilets
and outbuildings, with approved lagging materials.
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Insulate water tanks
by covering them around and above, but not
underneath where they are in roofs or lofts,
as this will block warm air from the house.
Polystyrene sheets are particularly good for
this and can be purchased cheaply at DIY stores.
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If the property is going
to be empty for any length of time, turn
off the water supply, switch off the
heating and hot water systems, then drain
the hot and cold water systems (by opening
the lowest taps) and drain the central heating
system through drain-off taps at the lowest
points. |
|
DO NOT leave taps
running to prevent freezing, this wastes water
and is unnecessary |
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Other interesting parts
of this guide:
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