The winter months are now well underway, and the cold is here to stay for the time being. While many are welcoming this weather - after all, it signifies that the festive season is around the corner - it does present unique challenges.
For businesses, cold weather can open up the possibility of frozen pipes. Frozen pipes can cause havoc for businesses – disrupting operations and leading to costly repairs. With this in mind, it is vital that businesses are prepared for the winter months.
Preparation is Key
If you don’t know how to prepare for the winter months, then we have some tips for you:
The first step is identifying your water pipes as it is less important to protect pipes that don’t carry water. You can find this out by running water – if the pipe vibrates then there is water inside.
The next step is to cover those pipes which can be done by wrapping them with lagging. It’s an easy job and you’ll be able to buy pipe lagging from your local DIY store all year round.
Finally, cover your outdoor tap. As well as pipes, garden and outdoor taps are also vulnerable to the elements. When a tap is frozen it can increase the risk of a burst pipe but when covered the risk is reduced.
Next Steps
Proper preparation means you’ve started off on the right foot – but there are other steps that can be taken, specifically to avoid frozen pipes.
Insulate water tanks and pipes and make sure there are no gaps at any point in the pipe network.
Additionally, fix all dripping taps and check that your boiler has been serviced. And when the business premise is vacant, it is a good idea to turn off the water – this will ensure you don’t return to a flood!
What if they do freeze?
Preventative action should mean your pipes do not freeze but sometimes it is unavoidable. If you do find your business has flooded, the first call of action is to make sure the pipes are turned off at the mains. After this, turn off all taps and then call a plumber as they will be best qualified for the job.