Before the cold weather arrives
Protect your pipes
Protect all exposed pipework, cisterns, tanks, taps and water meters in unheated areas with waterproof foam lagging or insulation.
Check your stop taps
Find and label all your stop taps and valves and regularly check they're working.
Don't get left in the cold
Keep boilers regularly serviced.
Mind your meter
Read your meter regularly, as a higher than normal meter reading can be the first indication that there may be a leak on the pipe.
Leaving your school or premises empty
Fight the freeze
Leave the heating on a low constant setting.
Drain your pipes
If you don't want the heating on, drain all pipework where possible, turn off your stop tap and, if you have a cold water tank, turn off the stopcock.
Stop that drip
Repair dripping taps and faulty washers.
Keep an eye on it
Arrange for someone to check on the premises regularly, where possible.
During a cold snap
Keep it flowing
Run taps and flush toilets to make sure that water in the pipes hasn't frozen.
Thaw it out
Try defrosting the pipe with a fan heater or hairdryer. Never use a naked flame.
Look for leaks
Check exposed pipework for any signs of leaks.
Stay safe
Turn off your electrics if water is leaking near electrical appliances.
Shut it off
If your pipes freeze, turn off your stop tap and the stopcock in the cold water tank.
Free downloadable posters
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Get your water flowing again poster
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