Winter can be a magical season, with frosty mornings, cosy evenings under a blanket, and maybe even a sprinkle of snow. But it can also bring challenges for your home, from frozen pipes to unexpected water leaks. By taking a few simple steps now, you can protect your home and avoid costly emergencies this winter. Here are our top tips to help you stay emergency ready.
1. Find where your internal stop tap is
In the event of a burst pipe or major leak, you’ll need to act fast. Your stop tap is your first line of defence — it turns off the water supply to your home. Locate it now (it’s often under the kitchen sink or near the water meter) and make sure it’s easy to access. Test it to ensure it’s working smoothly.
2. Know how to deal with a frozen pipe
Frozen pipes can cause major damage if they burst. If you suspect a pipe is frozen, turn off your water supply at the stop tap and gently thaw the pipe with a hot water bottle, hairdryer, or a towel soaked in hot water. Never use a naked flame or blowtorch. Start thawing at the end nearest the tap and work your way back to prevent pressure buildup. To prevent this problem from happening in the future, you can insulate your pipes with some pipe lagging that you can pick up from your local DIY store. If you’re not sure how to do that, we have a helpful how-to guide that you can follow. You can also get a FREE tap jacket by signing up to Save our Streams, which will help keep your taps insulated and free from any problems this winter!
3. Know who to call
Emergencies can happen at any time, so it’s important to have the right numbers handy. Save the contact information for your plumber, electrician, and water supplier (Affinity Water: 0345 357 2407) in your phone or keep them written down somewhere accessible. When looking for a plumber we recommend you get three quotes from an eligible member of an Approved Contractors’ Scheme, such as WaterSafe. You could also consider getting home emergency cover from HomeServe for peace of mind.
4. Prepare an emergency kit
Prepare an emergency kit with essentials like bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, blankets, and a portable phone charger. These supplies can be very handy during water supply interruptions or power cuts.
5. Register for Priority Services
Affinity Water’s Priority Services Register (PSR) can provide extra support during emergencies for customers who need it most. Whether it’s due to age, health conditions, or mobility challenges, registering ensures you’ll receive tailored assistance in case of an issue with your water supply. Signing up is free and easy.
What we’re doing this winter
Freezing weather can also affect our water supply network, causing pipes to freeze, expand, and burst as the ground shifts. To keep your water flowing this winter, we’ve got extra teams ready to respond quickly and are fully stocked with water main fixtures and fittings. To find out more about how we’re prepared for winter, check out our video:
By following these simple steps, you can protect your home and enjoy peace of mind throughout the winter. If you need more advice or support, we’re here to help. Let’s stay warm, safe, and emergency ready this season!