How to prevent the escape of water in your home

Know where your stop tap / stop valve / stopcock is located in case you need to turn it off

Stop taps (also sometimes called a stop valve or stopcock) turn off your water supply and are usually found around the kitchen sink, kitchen cupboard, downstairs bathroom or toilet, garage or utility room, cellar or under the stairs. Turn the valve clockwise to turn off the water supply. It may take a few minutes for the water to stop altogether.

Schedule regular maintenance

All parts of a fixed water system, such as boilers, radiators stop valves, taps and all piping should be inspected by a qualified plumber at least once a year, particularly in the run up to the cold winter months.

Consider automatic leak detection systems 

Advanced devices can detect and automatically shut off the water supply if leaks are detected, preventing further damage.

Apply insulating lagging to pipes 

Ensure that pipes are all adequately lagged (insulated), particularly in cold areas like the attic, outbuildings or where pipes are external, so they do not freeze. Water tanks and cisterns should also be fitted with adequate lagging insulation

Fix dripping taps 

Replacing taps’ washers will stop dripping in most cases.

While away…

If you are away from home over the winter months, set the heating to come on when the temperature drops below a certain point to prevent freezing. Alternatively, drain all systems of water as this will ensure that no freezing can occur.