Burst Pipes

Advice on Plumbing and Burst Pipes

Calling out a plumber in an emergency can be very expensive. You can get insurance to cover plumbing emergencies including problems with central heating systems. But remember if you have limited knowledge the plumber may be the cheaper option.

However, there are a number of simple things you can do to help reduce the likelihood of an emergency.

Water comes into the property through pipes (rising main) leading from the water main in the street, and there are usually two taps (stopcocks) which will shut off the water.

One tap (often shared with neighbours) is in the street and the other is in your house and is generally found in the kitchen or downstairs toilet.

Water tanks

Most houses have water tanks in the loft (cold water cisterns).

These are filled through the rising main and the tanks are fitted with a ball valve (similar to those found in toilet cisterns) which shuts off the water once the right level has been reached.

Overflow pipes

The water tank and also toilets have overflow pipes. Water only comes out of them if there is a problem. Do not ignore water dripping from overflow pipes. If you do, you may find yourself with a large bill to pay.

Insulation and lagging

If you have an immersion heater supplying bath water, make sure that it is well insulated. You need to lag pipes, especially outside pipes and taps (for example, garden taps) and those in rooms that are not heated (for example, the garage to help prevent freezing). The heat given off by a light bulb can be enough to prevent freezing. If you have an outside toilet, you might want to keep the light on during cold weather.

Burst pipes

If there is a burst pipe:

• Immediately turn off the water at the stopcock;

• If water is coming through the ceiling, drain the system by opening the taps and flushing toilets;

• call a plumber; and call an electrician to make sure the wiring is safe before you use lights and sockets.

Ball valves and ballcock

You will find these in toilet cisterns and in water tanks. If there is a problem, you will know as the overflow pipe will start dripping water or the toilet will stop flushing. Common problems are holes in the ball section or grit in the valve. Replacements are not expensive and are quite easy to fit.

Central-heating systems

This is a specialist area and unless you are qualified you should use a professionally qualified heating engineer. However, some things are easy to fix such as noisy radiators often make a ‘knocking’ sound. The noise is caused by air in the system. This is easy to clear by opening the air vent (found at the top of all radiators) using a radiator key (available at DIY and plumbing shops). Be careful, open the vent very slightly and keep a towel or cloth handy to catch any drips.

Handy hints

• Before drilling a hole in the wall, check for pipe-work using a pipe detector and electrical wiring using a cable detector, both available from DIY shops.

• Save money by insulating the hot-water pipes as well.

• Use expanding foam to insulate pipes in hard-to-reach places.

Wear gloves when using this product.

• Fit thermostatically controlled radiator valves (TRVs) which help prevent severe drops in temperature

• Prepare for winter - don’t be caught unawares - lag pipes, check insulation and have the heating system checked in late summer

• Don’t flush nappies, plasters or female-hygiene products down the toilet.

• Regularly check the hot-water system for leaks or drips.

Safety tips

• If you are repairing plumbing and using a blowlamp or something similar, take care not to set fire to anything. Have an extinguisher near by.

• Use gloves, a face mask and goggles when laying loft insulation