General Advice for Property Holders during Cold Spell
Water Systems Generally
- Conserve water as much as possible to reduce the likelihood of supply interruptions. Do not leave taps running overnight.
- Ensure that you know the location of your internal stop tap for turning off the water supply. This is generally under the kitchen sink. Older properties may not have an internal stop tap and in this case the water will need to be turned off at the external stop tap. This will be located adjacent to the property boundary, generally on the footpath or verge. The property owner should ensure in this case that they are familiar with it's location and how to turn it off, and that it is easily accessible. Owners should consider the installation of an internal stop tap if none exists. Before any problem arises, ensure that you can turn your stop tap on and off (i.e. make sure they are not stuck or seized) - don't wait until you have a problem with your water supply to do this.
- Try to maintain heat in the internal pipe network. This can be done by; a) Leaving on heating system for longer periods, b) Opening attic trap door to allow warm air from the house to circulate around the attic pipework, c) Leaving on a light in the attic to generate heat.
- Property owners should check vacant properties for leaks.
- Farmers should carry out regular checks on service pipes to water troughs and turn supply off where possible.
- If a property is to be left unattended for a period of time, shut off water supply at stop tap.
- If a property is left vacant for a very long period, turn off the supply at the stop tap, drain down the water systems in as far as possible (i.e. run all taps and cisterns until the water is emptied from the system). This should only be done in properties which are vacant for very long periods.
Podcast of Engineer's_Advice from KCLR interview Tuesday November 30th 2010
Advice to Property Owners with Frozen Service Pipe - i.e. No water in Cold tap in kitchen
1. If you discover that the mains water supply to the house is cut off use water from attic tank as sparingly as possible until normal service returns. You will know that the mains water supply is off if the cold tap at the kitchen sink is not working. Conserve water usage by avoiding taking showers or baths when possible. If taking a shower keep the duration as short as possible. Only flush toilets when necessary. Do not leave taps running when washing - fill a small amount of water in the wash hand basin.
2. Switch off central heating system and seek advice from plumber familiar with property before continuing to use. Most heating systems can continue to be used as once the systems are filled with water they only need to be replenished very occasionally. Particular care is needed when dealing with solid fuel or back boiler type systems.
Advice to Property Owners with Frozen Internal Water Pipe - i.e. Water in Cold tap in kitchen but no water in other tap or cistern in house
1. Switch off water supply to property at stop tap
2. Contact plumber to check out system
3. Check attic and ceilings for signs of leak - If leak detected drain attic tank by running bath taps
Advice to Property Owners who discover a Leak
1. Immediately switch off water supply to property at stop tap
2. Drain system by running taps
3. Contact plumber
4. Switch off central heating system and run down any other solid fuel heating source. Only if the plumber can confirm that the leak is in the water system and not the heating system should the heating system be turned back on.
Heating Systems Generally
1. Central heating systems will generally be one of the following types:
- Oil fired central heating boiler
- Gas fired central heating boiler
- Wood chip central heating boiler
- AGA or range type cooker with boiler section - oil or gas fired
- Solid fuel back boiler - fireplace or AGA/range type cooker
2. Common advice for all systems:
- Prevent sections of heating pipework from freezing. Ensure pipes in unheated sections of the building are insulated.
- Turn on heating in the building for longer periods than normal.
- In extreme conditions do not leave sections of the building unheated for extended periods. Turn on radiators in all areas for at least one hour per day to build up heat in the area. Walk around all areas of the house and where any area is particularly cold turn on heat in this area for longer every day.
- Attic spaces are particularly prone to freezing. Install a light over the water tank and expansion tank (the expansion tank in older systems is generally a small tank often located over the water tank with a swan neck pipe over it). Ideally install a 100W heat lamp. You can also leave the trap door to the attic space open to let warm air from the house circulate to the attic space. However this is very wasteful of heat over a long period.
- Pay particular attention to solid fuel fired systems, eg. Back boilers, solid fuel AGAs etc. It is extremely important that feed and expansion pipes do not freeze as many of these systems do not have automatic cut out protection.
3. Oil fired systems:
- Don't run out of oil. Dip your tank now. If you have less than 300mm (one foot) of oil left in the bottom, order oil immediately. Remember there may be big demands on suppliers at times of extreme weather and delivery delays can result.
- If you do run out of oil, your oil line may become air locked and need to be bled. If you haven't done this before ring your plumber.
4. Wood Chip Boiler systems:
- Check you have adequate supplies of wood chip and re order now if necessary. Remember there may be big demands on suppliers at times of extreme weather and delivery delays can result.
- Check that your store of wood chip isn't becoming frozen. Ensure wood chip is loose so it can be fed with the feed auger. Do not access the wood chip store without ensuring the feed mechanism is turned off.
5. All systems:
- If in doubt, ring your plumber.