As Britain continues to face difficult weather conditions, homeowners are being urged to check their pipes and avoid being hit by leaks.
As temperatures rise above freezing, the Consumer Council for Water is warning that water that had frozen in the past few weeks will start to melt, making obvious any damage caused by the cold weather.
Water expands as it gets colder and can cause household pipes to burst at the seams, which then results in leaks as temperatures rise and water can flow again.
The council suggests taking a few minutes to check for signs of leaks, such as wet spots or a loss of water pressure.
If on a meter, turn everything off and check that no usage is being recorded.
"Being aware of the signs and catching a leak early can help prevent a nuisance from becoming a major problem," commented Dam Yve Buckland, chair of the Consumer Council for Water.
Much of the snow and ice is now thawing out across the country, but further freezing conditions are expected into next month, so homeowners should remain alert to the dangers of frozen and burst pipes.
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Posted by Jez Walters |