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How to help insulate and protect your home

 

If a cold spell is on its way, there are a few simple actions you can take to help prevent the pipes in your home from freezing and causing damage. Just watch our short video, or see the steps shown below.



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Help prepare your home for freezing weather




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Prepare pipes for icy weather by insulating them with lagging. Don’t forget the corners. Make sure you’ve lagged any pipes you might have outside.
Check to make sure your loft insulation is thick enough. It should be around 10 inches deep. Also, make sure that your water tank is covered - but not underneath, so warm air can circulate.		 Image of pipe
Image of stopcock
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Find your main stopcock and make sure that you can turn it on and off.

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If you have any taps that have a tendency to drip, now's the time to fix them. This will help prevent problems when the wintery weather comes. And don't forget any taps that are outside. Also, check to make sure your boiler has been serviced by a Gas Safe professional, preferably in the summer to give you enough time to have any work done before the cold weather sets in.		 Image of tap
Image of window
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Try and insulate your home – fit draught proofing to any gaps in windows or doors and make sure wall cavities are well insulated.

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If you’re away from home for a few days keep the heating on at a low level – about 15 degrees - throughout. If you’re away for a longer period of time it might be wise and more cost effective to shut down the system completely, turn off all the mains, stopcocks and drain down pipes, toilets and radiators.		 Image of thermostat


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