With the wintry conditions setting in and temperatures dropping, and forecasters again warning of a prolonged period of very cold weather, we all need to be thinking about how to protect our home or business from the elements.

Burst pipes can be a real problem; often causing significant damage to property with even the smallest of leaks soon becoming a torrent. 30% of the population do not know where their stopcock is located and are therefore powerless to do anything in the event of a leak.

For the elderly or the 10 million people in the UK who suffer with arthritis the brass stopcock is almost impossible to use. This inability to control mains water in our homes has meant that insurance claims for escape of water have doubled since 1993, and escape of water is now a bigger risk for insurers than fire or burglary. During December 2010 there were over 100,000 UK insurance claims for burst pipes, at an average cost of £6,700 each.

By following some simple risk management steps you can reduce the likelihood of any such incidents:

• Check your central heating system regularly and ensure the thermostat is working. Consider annual servicing by a registered Gas Safe engineer
• Some new central heating systems are fitted with an anti-frost device. If your boiler is a few years old think about fitting frost thermostats to your heating system
• Keep the heating on during freezing temperatures, even at night
• Any exposed pipes should be lagged or suitably protected
• Make sure you know how and where to turn off the main water supply to the property
• Replace washers on dripping taps.

If your property will be unoccupied for a period of time:

• Drain the central heating system and turn off your main water supply or ideally leave the central heating on low
• Where possible get a neighbour, friend or family member to regularly check the property
• Leave the loft access open to circulate air.

It is not always possible to prevent your pipes from freezing, or even bursting, but you can help minimise the damage:

• Turn off your main water supply
• If you notice a leak call a plumber immediately
• Check for any damage to your electricity supply, if you suspect any damage have it checked out by an electrician
• Keep a list of useful emergency numbers to hand
• If you notice a frozen pipe slowly thaw the affected area with a gentle heat, such as a hairdryer. Never use a blow torch or open flame
• Install a preventative solution such as a Sure Stop Water Switch. This multi-award winning device allows you to easily control your mains water supply at the flick of a switch and can be located in an accessible position such as inside a kitchen cupboard door.

By following the above steps you can help prevent damage to your property, and avoid any personal upheaval, and in the longer term, save money on your insurance premiums.

For more information call the Private Clients team on 0800 093 3011 or e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it