How to protect your home from leaks and bursts

08 January 2025 16:15

With the Met Office predicting lows of up to -7 degrees this evening, NI Water would like to remind customers of some small things they can do to protect their pipes and properties from leaks and bursts.

Keep your home heated with a thermostat, insulate your pipes, open doors to allow warm air to circulate to unheated areas of your home and know where your stop valve is located in the event of a leak.

NI Water education officer Anna Killen said: “When a pipe bursts in freezing weather, it’s similar to a frozen bottle of water cracking because the water expands as it freezes, putting pressure on the pipe and causing it to break. This might lead to a burst and possible flooding inside your home which can have a devasting impact on your property and belongings. A few simple steps can go a long way to help avoid this.”

NI Water’s top tips include:

• Check your inside stop valve - Check to ensure it can be opened and closed easily in the event of a leak. Most can be found under your kitchen sink but could also be located under the stairs or in the downstairs toilet.  Also check everyone in the house knows where the stop valve is located and how to turn it off. Receive a free stop tap tag by completing NI Water’s online water audit at www.getwaterfit.co.uk

• Keep your home warm - Leave heating on for longer periods at lower settings, even while away. Doing this allows warm air to circulate, and will help prevent pipes and tanks from freezing in the cold weather

• Circulate warm air to unheated areas - Opening doors to unheated areas of your home (e.g. attics) occasionally to allow warm air to circulate can prevent pipes and tanks from freezing in the cold weather

• Insulate water tanks and pipes - All exposed pipes, including attic pipes should be adequately insulated. Insulate or wrap a towel around outside taps to help prevent them from freezing over

• Check you have home insurance - check your insurance company offers you protection from the large scale damage that mother nature can sometimes cause

• Keep the name of a plumber handy - type in your postcode at www.watersafe.org.uk  to find your nearest accredited plumbing business

• Protect outdoor taps – consider using an insulated tap cover to add an extra layer of protection to outdoor taps. Receive a free outdoor tap cover by completing NI Water’s online water audit at www.getwaterfit.co.uk

 

More helpful advice and tips are available on NI Water’s website at www.niwater.com/winter-proof-your-home/

Ends

Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com

Notes to editors

NI Water provides water and wastewater services for customers in Northern Ireland. You can get further information on how to check the age of your water supply pipes and find out more about lead pipes at www.niwater.com/lead-pipes. Our Customer Care Register also offers a range of free additional services if you are an older consumer, have a serious medical condition or need extra help for any other reason. To find out more about joining our Customer Care Register and the extra free services you or anyone in your household would like to receive please visit www.niwater.com/customer-care-register/