Following a Met Office warning of severe weather and a number of doom and gloom headlines in national newspapers, we thought you might appreciate a few tips on how to prepare for the impending cold snap and lower the risk of damage to your home as a result.

The Met Office issued its first England-wide Level 3 Cold Weather Alert of the winter on January 31 and suggested the severe weather will continue over the weekend. As a result of this many homes will be exposed to potential damage, mainly caused by burst pipes.

Below are some precautions you can take to safeguard your home in the severe weather.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

One of the best precautions to take during a cold snap, especially if you are going away, is to leave the heating on at a low temperature. Make sure that you leave doors open and the loft door or hatch open so that the warm air can circulate through.

Let Warm Air reach Hidden Pipes

A lot of pipes are often hidden behind cupboards in the bathroom and kitchen so keep these doors open whilst you are away so that the warm air can reach them.

Fix Dripping Taps

A dripping tap can cause major issues so should be fixed and any blocked overflows cleared.

Check Your Boiler

Get your boiler serviced annually and if you have a condensing boiler, the external pipe must be lagged.

What to do With a Frozen Pipe

The first thing you should always have is the number of a reliable plumber to hand. If you want to try and defrost frozen pipes use a hot water bottle or hairdryer in short bursts; never use a naked flame on frozen pipes.

Whilst these tips could help prevent frozen pipes and other problems as a result of the cold snap, it is still important to ensure you have the correct level of cover. Check your home insurance policy or maybe even take out Home Emergency Cover. To find out more about Home Emergency Cover call UIA on 01438 761790.

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