How To Stop Your Home From Freezing

FREEZING HOME INSURANCE With sub-zero temperatures, lying snow and strong winds, the winter can not only cause trouble for motorists, it can also bring the threat of damage to property and possessions for many UK households 6,500 PPPPPD In 2011 Lloyds TSB handled This cost over £39 million to put right, at an average of £1500 to fix a burst or frozen pipe 26,500 home insurance claims for burst and frozen pipes During the recent cold weather the AA has seen a 24% increase in British Gas is expecting 20,000 callouts to UK homes and it callouts from homeowners due to has mobilised I0,000 engineers boiler breakdowns and burst pipes to meet this demand AA British Gas THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY Wrap up any exposed pipes with insulation which you can buy from your local DIY shop Draught proof Clear your gutters and drain pipes to any gaps in windows prevent a blocks and overflows of water and doors BHme Locate your stopcock and know how to turn Keep a home emergency kit to hand filled with a torch, warm clothing, it on and off blankets, shovel, identification and home insurance documents . .. .... THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR NEXT YEAR Get your Check your boiler roof serviced for cracked and broken tiles, and hire Have cavity wall a professional to repair any damage and loft insulation installed •... .... WHEN DISASTER STRIKES Turn off Turn the main off the electricity in affected water supply via the areas stopcock CONTACT YOUR HOME INSURER ASAP FOR FURTHER ADVICE OR TO REGISTER A CLAIM Turn off central Catch dripping heating and immersion water in a bucket, if there is a heater and drain bulge in the ceiling pierce it to drain water system by running all the taps the water SOURCES: TM http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/news/is-your- home-ready-for-the-ravages-of-winter/0016058/ MoneySupermarket com http://money.aol.co.uk/2013/01/18/burst-pipe- misery-is-snow-joke/ 24% INCREASE 10,000 20,000