Is your business ready for winter?

It’s official, winter is upon us and it’s exactly the time of year where you should be thinking about how you’re going to protect your business against burst pipes and leaks during the colder months of the year.

Burst pipes are not only expensive to repair, but it could close your business if it causes a lot of damage and you’re not able to stay open.

Here are 8 simple top tips to protect your business this winter

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  Lag your pipes and know your water system

  Understanding your business’s water system helps you spot potential risks early. A good first step is knowing where your main stop tap is, so you can quickly turn off the supply if needed. Acting fast could save you thousands in flood damage and avoid costly downtime.

  It’s also important to insulate (lag) your pipework, especially in exposed, cold, or draughty areas. Lagging them will help prevent pipes from freezing and bursting when temperatures drop. Visit the link below to find our guide to lagging pipes.

  Advice here

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  Check your business for leaks

  You’re paying for all the water that is recorded on your water meter so it makes good financial sense not to let any of this go to waste. Leaking taps, urinals, wash areas, hosepipes, pressure washers – over the year the cost of leaks really does add up and could be costing your business hundreds of pounds more than you need to pay.

  Have you experienced an increase in your bill or a drop in water pressure? Both could be early signs of a leak in your water pipework and should be investigated. It pays to make sure your pipework is in good condition before any cold snap arrives.

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  Keep your heating on low

  Keeping the heating on low can prevent your pipes freezing and bursting. If you close at any time, keeping the heating on low could prevent the hassle and expense of returning to a flooded business. 

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  Get real time weather updates

  Stay one step ahead so you can plan accordingly. Look into setting up weather alerts which inform you of any local or regional flooding and cold weather warnings.

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  Communication is key

  Ask your employees to flag to you if they see any issues with your water pipework and make sure, they understand what to do in a water emergency.

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  Make sure you have a contingency plan

  Do you know what to do if you have a frozen pipe? If you have a burst? How would your business cope and could you continue to trade if you had a flood? Make sure you’ve considered all the options and have a plan in place to deal with all eventualities.

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  Check your cover

  Make sure your business is covered for any damage caused by a burst pipe. Remember, you are responsible for the maintenance of all the pipework within the boundary of your business – this includes all you internal plumbing and the underground pipe transporting water into your business from our water main - so check to make sure all this is covered on your insurance.

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  Know who to contact in an emergency

  Make sure you have details to hand of who you need to contact if you have a burst so you can get this repaired as soon as possible. Your retailer may also be able to help with this, check their website to see if they offer any repair services or recommend any plumbing services. If not, visit the link below to find a local plumber.

  Find a plumber