With night-time temperatures set to drop to zero degrees Celsius or below over the coming days, NI Water is urging home-owners to take steps this New Year to prevent possible burst pipes.
The utility company’s message is for the public to take action now to ensure properties are prepared for the cold weather conditions.
NI Water Education Officer Anna Killen said:
“Temperatures often dip below zero at this time of year. The devastation caused by burst pipes cannot be underestimated. Not only can the water cause structural damage to a property, but the lasting damage in a home can be to personal items, including photographs tablets, iPads and laptops that may not be replaceable.
“On a wider scale, if you imagine the impact of thousands of litres of water pouring out of burst water pipes, any water distribution network would struggle to maintain continuity of supply in those circumstances. Insulating your pipework is an essential action to protect your water supply and your neighbours.
“We can all make a big difference when it comes to conserving water all year-round, including checking our pipes are winter-proofed and not at risk of bursts or leaks at this time of year. Outside pipes in particular need to be checked as they can become frozen and can burst during periods of cold weather.”
NI Water’s website offers lots of helpful advice on simple steps people can take to winterproof their premises over the New Year and winter months, including the following tips:
• Wrap up pipes and water tanks with lagging – DIY stores have everything you need
• Fix dripping taps – even a small trickle can result in a frozen pipe
• Find your home’s stop tap and make sure you can turn it off – most are under the kitchen sink
• Leave the heating on low if you go away
• Check your central heating boiler has been serviced
• Keep the name of a plumber handy – type in your postcode at watersafe.org.uk to find your nearest accredited plumbing business
To report a leak please contact NI Water online at www.niwater.com/report-a-leak-or-burst-pipe or on 08000282011. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
When checking your home is winterproof, why not take the time to check the age of your water supply pipes. For information about how you can find and deal with lead pipes please visit: