Don't let burst pipes bog you down

By Robert Adungo 07.02.2012

The recent cold snap may have left thousands of homes across the UK with broken pipes and packed-up boilers. For those worried of a similar fate –there is a way out.

For many people across the UK, it may already be too late thanks to recent snowfall, but with arctic weather conditions forecast to last for a while, the phrase "better safe than sorry" comes to mind.

Just when many people were beginning to think the UK would escape a harsh winter, arctic weather conditions hit the country as snow blanketed large parts of the nation, bringing with it the usual travel disruptions.

But while employers might have thanked the lucky stars for the snow not falling during the week, a good number of homes must have been experiencing their worst winter nightmare - burst pipes.

According to home insurance provider Direct Line, 40% of homes across the UK are vulnerable to issues such as frozen pipes and boiler breakdowns whenever freezing weather arrives.

Cold blast from the past

"As the last two winters have demonstrated, bad weather can cause serious damage to property, as well as enormous stress to homeowners," observes Stuart Curson, head of Direct Line home insurance.

Indeed, the heavy snowfall experienced last winter left an estimated three million Brits with damaged properties, with many homeowners being forced to claim for broken roofs and frozen or burst pipes. While 16% had to contend with cold homes after their central heating failed, 15% said their boiler packed up entirely.

History has repeatedly shown that we're incapable of learning from the past and nowhere does this ring true than when it comes to how prepared people were this time round for freezing weather.

Naturally, the older generation - who may have already been through one dreary winter too many - were already prepared for the snow, with nearly three-quarters of over-55s having looked at ways to prevent damage to their homes during the winter months.

By comparison, 18 to 34-year-olds were the least likely to have made any preparations - more than 55% of those in this age group, for example, were yet to lag pipes, have their boiler checked or repair any structural damage to their property by the time the weather turned.

Don't be complacent - be prepared

Although those who were unprepared may have missed their chance to prevent their pipes bursting, there is still room to do some damage limitation - especially since no one knows how long the cold weather front may last.

Start by checking your pipes for any signs of damage and thaw any frozen pipes out by turning off the water and using a hot water bottle against the pipes or a hairdryer. Do not use a blowtorch or any other naked flame.

If there are any bulging ceilings, which may indicate leakage following a burst pipe, pierce them to relieve the pressure. Remember to put buckets beneath the bulging plaster to catch any water coming though, which could result in thousands of pounds worth of damage.

According to rural insurer NFU Mutual, escape of water claims in homes cost £4,000 on average last winter, with the money largely going towards repairing damage from burst pipes and the resulting escape of water, so this should not be underestimated.

Safety must not be ignored and utmost care should therefore be taken when dealing with any leaking broken pipes as there is a risk of electrocution. For the same reasons, any flooded electrical systems should not be touched and should instead be left to a professional.

Where home insurance comes in

Matthew Scott, chief claims manager at NFU Mutual, says: "Escape of water causes a huge amount of damage to properties throughout the year, but homeowners should be particularly aware of the damage a cold snap could do to their home.

"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."

He goes on to recommend getting in touch with your home insurance provider soon after and they should be able to make arrangements for a professional to help with the repairs.

This also underscores the importance of ensuring your insurance covers the cost of emergencies. Policies differ significantly and you may discover, when it is already too late, that yours does not include certain vital things such as this.

If this is the case, it should be a big enough incentive for you to shop around for an alternative, bearing in mind that cheapest is not necessarily best. Ensure whichever cover you choose meets your requirements and throws in a few valuable extras without breaking the bank.

As for preparing for the next cold snap, this chill out tips for the big freeze will certainly be useful.