A leading cause of loss for businesses

A leading cause of loss from the businesses we insure is escape of water.  At this time of year, it’s often caused by burst pipes.  Protecting pipes from freezing is a crucial step in saving your business from what can be catastrophic damage. Whether you’re a tenant or own the premises, considering a few simple steps can be well worth it to prevent the catastrophic impact of a burst pipe incident. 

As temperatures drop during winter months, water inside pipes can freeze.  This can put pressure on the pipes and cause them burst.   The financial implications of burst pipes are considerable. The average cost of burst pipe damage can run into tens of thousands of pounds and can cause significant disruption and serious damage.  

Here are some simple steps you can take to safeguard your property

1.      Maintain a consistent temperature

Heat your premises to at least 12°C, even when there is no-one there.  This should stop temperatures from dropping below freezing including in the water pipes.

If keeping the heating on is not an option, and the property will be unoccupied for a while, you could consider turning the water supply off at the mains and draining the system.   

Also, make sure you’ve had your boiler serviced so you can rely on it when you need to.

2.      Know where your stopcock is and make sure your team know too

Find your main stopcock and make sure it’s working, and that you and your employees know how to use it in the event of an emergency.  Make a plan of what to do if you do suffer a burst pipe, include emergency contact numbers for plumbers and your insurer.  

3.      Repair any dripping taps or fittings

Find and fix any dripping taps or fittings promptly, a quick check in the morning can prevent even a small trickle causing a big problem.

4.      Consider outdoor taps and pipes

Disconnect any hosepipes that are connected to external water outlets.  It’s also advisable to insulate outdoor pipes using foam sleeving and fit insulated tap covers over outside taps.

5.      Insulate pipes

The most vulnerable pipes are the ones in unheated places like lofts, basements, and garages. Foam pipe insulation or heat tape can be used to cover exposed pipes. Water tanks are also vulnerable so make sure these are insulated too.

6.      Seal air leaks

Check for gaps where cold air can get into the building and seal them to prevent draughts, particularly in parts of the property where pipes are located.