Burst pipes could dampen Christmas cheer
Large rural insurer NFU Mutual is warning people to check the plumbing in their homes regularly as a slight thaw threatens to bring with it a spate of burst pipes over Christmas.
"Large areas of the UK are seeing the coldest temperatures and heaviest snowfalls for decades," said NFU Mutual Claims Manager, Matthew Scott.
"We're already dealing with hundreds of burst pipe claims - but we are very concerned that a thaw could lead to many more bursts."
He explained that frost-damaged pipes often went unnoticed until a thaw led to water in frozen pipes melting and escaping from lofts and unheated rooms. Lofts which had been fitted with extra insulation are particularly vulnerable as they are at greater risk of damage to pipes and tanks in their roof spaces.
"Country properties tend to be particularly vulnerable to frost damage because they tend to be in isolated locations where they are exposed to the full force of the elements," he said.
NFU Mutual has put special measures in place to help its members during the icy spell. Throughout the UK, its network of over 300 local offices, regional service centres have been on placed on high alert and emergency helplines are in place to help members.
"Members who need help cleaning up after a flood and making a claim over the Christmas period should make contact with their local office or Regional Claims office.
"If offices are closed, customers will be directed to our 24 hour emergency helpline who will be available to take claim details, provide advice and make contact with disaster restoration or other emergency contractors that may be required.
"We have already received over 2,000 claims for homes and business properties - including 400 claims for building roofs which have collapsed under weight of snow. The largest single collapsed roof claim is estimated at £250,000."
Matthew estimated the arctic spell could lead to claims over £25m from NFU members.
NFU Mutual's winter driving and burst pipe advice guide:
Act quickly but calmly to prevent the matter becoming far worse and affecting more of your property. If at all possible ask another responsible person to accompany you as you move around the property and to stay with you while you attend to the following matters.
Seek emergency help from a local contractor or via your insurance company should you have any difficulty with performing the above tasks.
Turn off the water supply and leave it off until you are advised by a plumber that it is safe to turn it back on. Your stop cock should be located below your kitchen sink - or where the water supply enters your property.
Look around your property, check before entering each room that the ceiling is not bulging downward or looks to be dangerous, if it is DO NOT enter the room.
Electricity, this will become dangerous when wet, DO NOT touch switches or sockets if there is any risk that they may be wet.
Drain the cold water system, turn ON all cold water taps and let the system drain and leave the taps in the open position in case any water has become trapped.
Ceilings which are starting to bulge, if you consider it to be safe to do so and taking good care if you decide to do this, make a small opening in the ceiling below the bulge's lowest point to let the water escape in a controlled way. Before releasing the water, protect the area where the water will drain and have containers ready to catch the water, you will need to be ready to change the container quickly until the flow subsides. DO NOT attempt this if the ceiling is already bowed extensively as it may fall on to you.
Hot Water Heating System, turn off the source off heat e.g. immersion heater, central heating system programmer, if you have a solid fuel fire wait for this to cool down so as not to be heating the system (Do not throw water on to solid fuel fires to put them out). Drain down the hot water system again by turning on all the hot taps.
Turn off the Electricity supply- only if you are concerned that water has leaked on to part of the electrics. If you know which part of the service has been affected you may be able to identify individual fuses but if in doubt turn off the whole system, making sure you have a temporary light source first. Seek professional advice from an experienced electrician before having the power restored.
To help overstretched councils NFU Mutual is providing insurance cover for its farming members to use their tractors clear blocked roads and help tow stranded vehicles.
"We're part of the rural community and are pleased to be able to be able to help by covering our farming members who are doing a sterling job clearing snow blocked roads," said Matthew Scott, NFU Mutual Claims Manager.
For more information on winter safety visit nfumutual.co.uk.