Stalking

10. Pipes and Boilers

Pipes can freeze when it gets very cold and in some cases burst, causing flooding and damage to homes. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to stop pipes freezing. 

Find the stoptap and check the pipes 

Find out where your stoptap is located. It’s fitted to the pipe bringing water into your home and is often under the kitchen sink, but not always. Also check the pipes – if there are any you think need insulating, please contact us. 

If you have an outside tap, turn off the supply (it should have its own stoptap) and open the tap so that any water in the pipe can drain away. 

Leaving your home? 

If you're planning to go way for more than a day or two, leave the heating on low to prevent the property becoming cold and to prevent to water pipes freezing. 

What to do if a pipe bursts 

  • Turn off the water at the stoptap. 

  • Switch off the electricity at the mains 

  • Switch off any water heaters 

  • Switch off the central heating 

  • Open all taps to sinks and the bath to let the water drain away 

  • If possible, collect water in the bath for flushing the toilet and for washing 

  • Warn your neighbours if there is a chance they may be affected 

  • If it's an internal pipe, call us on 0800 074 0169. 

In the highly unlikely event that a mains pipe freezes, or for any other issues, please contact your local water company. 

What to do if your boiler stops working 

If there's an extended period of cold weather some people experience issues heating and hot water not working. A large number of these issues are caused by frozen external pipes which cause the boiler to stop working and, in many cases, this can be rectified simply by following the guidance available on Central Heating checks | DIY Video 

If you're a homeowner or Leaseholder and have a leak coming from your property, it's your responsibility to get this fixed. Failure to do so could affect your lease with us, and you could be liable to remedial cost of other properties or communal areas damaged by the leak. If you think the leak is our responsibility, please get in touch with our Home Ownership Team Email:  homeownership@thurrock.gov.uk. 

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