Flame Heating Spares, the fast growing parts supply North East firm, is warning home owners to take action this winter to prevent any unnecessary frozen and burst pipes.
With temperatures expected to drop during the winter months, the firm, which opened its third trade counter in September, has issued its own tips to improve the chances of a warm home during the festive period.
Flame Heating Spares supplies replacement parts for all domestic and commercial boilers, as well as a growing range of new and renewable technology.
John Savage, managing director and founder of Flame Heating Spares, said: “Temperatures can drop to extremely low levels during winter, causing the water in your pipes at home to freeze and expand, leading to burst pipes. Poorly protected pipes and those that are exposed to icy draughts, including ones located inside cupboards, are most vulnerable.
“The last thing people need, especially at this time of year, is any unnecessary issues at home, which is why it is vital to take precautions. It may seem trivial, but following a few, small steps and allowing the proper maintenance can save you a lot of hassle and money.”
Flame’s winter tips are as follows:
Insulation
Ensure that your loft and the sides of your water tank are insulated, which will help prevent pipes from bursting. These can be wrapped in lagging – a foamy material that insulates and reinforces them.
Keep out of the cold
Most modern boilers have a frost protection thermostat which turns on automatically if the temperature drops to a level that will cause your pipes to freeze. As added protection, it's a good idea to open your loft trap door and any sink cupboards, especially on cold days, to let in heat to prevent any freezing. In very cold weather, you'll need to leave your heating on a low setting (or set it to come on a couple of times a day), if you're going to be away for longer than a day or two.
Stopcock
Above all, make sure you know where your home’s stopcock is located. Check regularly that you can turn it off easily in an emergency. You may find it helpful to label the stopcock, so you can easily locate it.
Regular maintenance
Maintenance is key, so be sure to re-wash any dripping taps because if they freeze, this will only block your pipes. If you’re going away over the holidays, it might be an idea to ask a friend or relative to check your home regularly and make sure any of your pipes haven’t frozen or, even worse, burst. You can always repay the favour when they go on holiday.
For more information: www.flameheatingspares.com