In light of the the severe cold snap which seized the Isle of Man last week, the Isle of Man Water Authority is warning its customers to make sure pipes in the home are protected against frost damage.
A burst pipe can cause damage and disruption at any time, and it only takes a short cold spell to freeze up a poorly insulated pipe. Frost damage to pipes isn’t just inconvenient, it can be costly to put right too.
Chief Executive John Smith stated, "You can easily avoid this problem by taking a few simple steps to insulate your pipework. Fully lag all pipes and tanks in the loft space, or anywhere else which may be liable to freezing.
"If you are leaving your house empty, leave your heating on to minimize the risk of pipes freezing and ask a friend or relative to call in. This will mean that, if you do suffer a burst pipe, it will be found within a reasonable time.
"Also, check your loft insulation is thick enough and still in good condition."
An important aspect of frozen pipe prevention is to learn how to shut off the water supply to your property. If you don't know where the stop tap is, find out immediately before it is too late.
Once you find the correct stop tap, actually close and open it to make sure it will operate in case of a water emergency. This will help you minimize the damage by shutting the water off quickly.
If your pipes do freeze, you must defrost them slowly and carefully:
1. Firstly, turn off the water supply to your home at the stop tap, which is usually located under the kitchen sink (you should always make sure you know where your stop tap is);
2. Use an electric hair dryer at its lowest setting to thaw pipes. Be very careful not to warm them too quickly;
3. Thaw along the pipe, starting from the end nearest an open tap
4. Don’t use a blow lamp, heat gun or any other naked flame
5. Don’t leave taps running or dripping. The water may not flush down the plug hole if the pipes below are frozen
6. If in doubt, call a registered plumber to help you.
For further information, please contact the Water Authority's Customer Services Department on 695949 or visit www.gov.im/water
