News
Consumer Council Advises Homeowners To 'Be Prepared' This Winter
15th December 2011
As we approach the Christmas period, many of us are somewhat fearful of the severe weather conditions that were witnessed last year and the many implications for householders nationwide.
2010 saw one of the coldest winters that many people can recall and many of us were faced with unexpected problems, such as burst pipes and tanks and frozen water in car engines.
Needless to say, there are few who would like to see a repeat of last year's winter chaos - even if it was a welcome business boost for many plumbers and other tradesmen!
For that reason, the Consumer Council has offered homeowners some practical advice on preparing for harsh weather this winter. In it's blog, the Consumer Council lists tips such as:
- Make sure all pipes and tanks, which are in unheated areas, are insulated
- Ensure that you have located your stop tap/valve in your property so that you can turn it off if needed
- Write down the details of a few qualified plumbers. (Should you require a certfified plumber or tank installer, you can find one at http://www.tankmark.org.uk - your online network of certified installers)
- Make sure doors and windows from unheated parts of the home are protected from drafts
- Service your boiler regularly to ensure optimum performance and to reduce your heating bills. (Again, any one of the Tankmark installers will be able to offer this service - http://www.tankmark.org.uk)
- If you are planning a trip away, be sure to leave a key with a friend or neighbour so they can check for frozen pipes. Be sure to show them where your stop tap is located!
- If away for long periods of time, it is advisable to turn the water supply off completely and even to fully empty the water tank before you leave
If your pipes do burst, the Consumer Council offers the following advice:
- Turn off your stop tap
- Use towels to stop escaping water
- Turn on all taps to reduce flooding
- Call a QUALIFIED plumber
- If you need further advice, contact Waterline on 08457 440088
So there you have it! All the advice you will need to prepare yourself for the unexpected this winter. And remember, if you have an old, single skin oil tank, you will likely lose the full contents of your oil tank if it bursts this winter. Not only will that mean you will have lost hundreds of pounds worth of valuable heating oil, but you may also be liable for the costs of an environmental clean-up which can cost tens of thousands of pounds. Don't take the risk - ensure that you have a bunded heating oil tank (a double walled tank) to ensure that your oil is not lost in the event of the inner tank splitting!
Visit the bunded heating oil tanks section of this website for more information on bunded tanks available.
