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HINTS AND TIPS

Winter Plumbing Tips

Although the cases of frozen pipes and water supplies and the resulting bursts are now less frequent, due to awareness and preventative measures being in place, exceptional cold conditions could result in this happening in your property. Therefore:

Water Supply: Locate your underground shut off valve. This valve is usually found on the pavement or road
This valve will sometimes be covered by leaves and soil and on occasions, when the metal/plastic cover is lifted, the box may contain mud and other debris, which will need to be cleared so as to gain access to the valve.
You will need to have a stop-valve key to operate these valves, although if a new valve has been fitted by your utility company the key may be located in the actual stop-valve box.

There are two common types of stop-valve keys that you may need to isolated these valves. These are:

1. Crutch-Head Keys: -

These keys operate stop-valves which have handles, similar to those that are located within your property. These simply fit over the valves handle and are turned off like a normal tap.

Crutch-head keys can be purchased from most DIY stores.

2. Spindle Water Key: -

These keys operate stop-valves which have spindles, a square metal bar that reaches from the valve. This type simply fits over the spindle and are turned off like a normal tap.

Spindle water keys come in varied sizes from ½" to 1", but domestic properties are normally ½", and these keys can be purchased from most DIY stores.

If, when attempting to shut-off these valves, the valve does not turn, DO NOT FORCE IT. Contact your Repair and Maintenance service provider for advice.

Phoenix Tip: -

When turning on your valve, turn the water key until the turning stops. When it does, turn the key back a ¼ or ½ turn. This will help prevent the valve sticking in the open position.

These valves should only be turned off in an emergency and only when the supply cannot be turned off in the property.

Locate the Stop-Valve on your Rising Main:
A Rising Main is the pipe that brings drinking water into your property.
The stop-valve, on this pipe, controls the flow of water and is used to shut off the entire supply in an emergency.
The mains stop-valve may be found under or near the kitchen sink, bathroom, downstairs cloakroom, or beneath the stairs.
Ensure that the valve turns freely, if the valve has not been shut for a period of time it may have become very stiff.

Phoenix Tip: If this is the case spray the handle with WD-40 and open and shut the valve several times to try and free it off a bit. DO NOT FORCE THE HANDLE as excessive force may break it.

Ensure the valve closes fully and actually isolates the water supply.
Locate and Identify Other Shut-Off Valves.
Check if there are isolating valves on the low-pressure pipes to taps, toilet cisterns and house hold appliances. They are normally located next to the storage tank, in the loft, on the pipe connected to the toilet cistern, or in and by the hot water cylinder cupboard.
Check to see that they are working correctly.

Phoenix Tip: Once located and identified it may be a good time to make a note of what valves turn off the relevant water supply in the property. Label the valves for easy identification later on, as it might not be you that has to isolate the supply in an emergency.

If when attempting to shut-off these valves, the valves do not turn, DO NOT FORCE IT. Contact your Repair and Maintenance service provider for advice.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

Each winter frozen and burst water pipes in properties cause inconvenience and heartache to thousands of people and can result in costly damage to buildings and furnishings. Most of this can be avoided if simple precautions are taken at the right time.

Find your main stop-valve which turns off the supply to your property.
Some properties may have the supply, supplied directly to all your appliances or from a main storage tank, normally located in the loft. If so, the controlling stop-valves are situated close to the tank.
Identify what water system you have and in particular, find the location of the stop-valves and what they control.
Where properties have hot water cylinders or tanks, the supply can be controlled by a stop-valve which is usually located in the cupboard on the pipe which connects near the bottom of the cylinder / tank.

Phoenix Tip: This stop-valve only controls the supply to the cylinder / tank and DOES NOT EMPTY IT. Should it be necessary to empty the cylinder / tank contact your Repair and Maintenance Service Provider.

Thawing Frozen Pipes

Un-insulated pipes exposed to freezing temperatures are likely to become blocked with ice. This commonly occurs in cold un-insulated lofts. You may not be aware of the problem until the water refuses to flow when you turn on the tap.

Phoenix Tip: If you think that your loft space is not insulated then you should contact your Repair and Maintenance Service provider and request an inspection. DO NOT CLIMB STEP LADDERS TO ENTER YOUR LOFT SPACE,UNLESS SAFE TO DO SO.

On some occasions if the blockage is located and is easily reached, you can thaw the pipes by using an electric hair dryer. Warm the pipe gradually, working back from the affected tap or valve.
Once thawed, and if the pipe has no insulation and can be easily reached, the pipe can be protected by attaching either a lagging bandage or by using the much easier method of foamed plastic tubes that fit securely around the pipe.
A wide range of pipe lagging can be obtained from your DIY store.

Protect your System

Have pipework insulated in exposed places.
Have the main storage tanks top and sides insulated.

Phoenix Tip: DO NOT insulate under the main storage tank as warm air rising from the room below will help stop the water freezing.

Have dripping taps or faulty toilet cisterns repaired, or the waste pipes may freeze, and water running from overflows can freeze, making the walkways slippery.
Make sure all taps are turned off properly, especially last thing at night.
Close windows.
Keep central heating on, at a low temperature, throughout the night.

Phoenix Tip: Insulation IS NOT the complete answer in preventing the freezing of water supplies or tanks. It only delays the affect of frost. REGULAR HEATING OF YOUR HOME IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE PROTECTION, DURING LONG PERIODS OF VERY COLD WEATHER.

If you are going away, leaving your property unoccupied:

Programme to have your central heating on for short periods of time, at a reasonable temperature.
If you do not have central heating, or cannot programme timers, shut off ALL stop-valves and drain systems. To do this turn off the main water stop-valve and open ALL taps.
Inform neighbours of the dates when you are away so as they can check the property on a regular basis, and let them know of the locations of your stop-valves.
When re-filling the system DO NOT leave it unattended during the re-filling process.

If your pipes burst, shut-off the water at the stop-valve and open all taps to drain the system quickly. Isolate the power to immersion heaters, showers and heating systems so as there is no further damage to the system.

Or there is no water at your taps:

DO NOT switch on or light any water heating appliances whether fuelled by gas, oil, solid fuel or electricity.
Where practicable, examine the water system for fractures in pipes and fittings also for any signs of pipes being pulled from joints.
The presence of ice on the outside of the pipe is often indication that it has burst.
IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS, TURN OFF THE CONTROLLING STOP-VALVE AND CONTACT YOUR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE SERVICE PROVIDER.

REMEMBER!!!
"DO NOT ATTEMPT TO UNDERTAKE ANY OF THE ABOVE SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT IN UNDERTAKING THE TASK. YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE SERVICE PROVIDER"

Repairs Line: 0844 264 2844

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Picture gallery

Phoenix 3rd Festival 1st May 2010
See lots more pictures of the Phoenix area in our Picture Gallery.