Retail business owners urged to check their pipes as Britain prepares for big freeze
- Sub-zero temperatures forecast for later this week
- Insurer issues advice to deal with burst pipes
- Average cost of frozen pipe claims reaches ?4,700
As Britain faces sub-zero temperatures at the end of the week, commercial insurer NFU Mutual is advising retail business owners to prepare their property for winter?s worst.
Statistics from NFU Mutual show that the average cost of repairs to damage from leaks caused by frozen pipes is around ?4,700.
As the Met Office predicts freezing conditions and snow in some parts of the UK at the end of the week, the insurer is warning that plumbing in properties may be weakened by freezing weather.
Frank Woods, retail specialist at commercial insurer NFU Mutual, said: ?Escape of water causes a huge amount of damage, whatever the cause, but burst pipe claims caused by frost damage are a particular concern at this time of year. Store owners can take a number of steps to protect their property before a cold snap. Prevention is always better than cure and protecting plumbing before a drop in temperature can dramatically reduce the chances of any damage being caused.
?If you discover an escape of water in your property, it?s important you act quickly but calmly. Turn off your water at the stop cock and drain the system by opening all the taps.? If damage is serious, then call your insurer to seek advice about professional help with drying out the property and getting repairs underway.?
NFU Mutual?s five step guide to deal with burst pipes:
Locate your stop cock
This will normally be located below the kitchen sink, or wherever the water supply enters the property. Make sure you can access it and close it easily.
Keep the heat flowing
Keeping the thermostat at a normal setting overnight or while the property is unoccupied will help to keep the building temperature above freezing.
Check your plumbing
Remember, any damage to pipes happens if the water in them freezes; but the escape of water only happens when the frozen pipes thaw out. Checking pipes for signs of freezing or bursts such as leaking or dripping joints, will help you to react to a possible problem or nip it in the bud. Asking tenants to do the same will help to protect leased properties too.
Get those pipes lagged
Well insulated loft spaces will get very cold in winter and so it?s important that water pipes have extra lagging to help prevent them freezing and bursting.
