Winter care, get prepared

Guernsey Water is issuing advice and self-help videos to help islanders avoid the hassle of leaks and bursts on their pipework this winter.

The utility advised that an increase in leaks and bursts is the norm across the water network during winter months, a result of natural ground movement due to increased rain fall and fluctuating temperatures. But cold temperatures can also have an impact on private pipework too.

Jon Holt, Operations Manager at Guernsey Water, said: "A cold snap can cause a significant increase in leaks and bursts on private pipework, causing damage and disruption to homes and businesses. Our data from March 2018, when temperatures fell to -2.1c, shows that in one day over 5 million litres of water was lost above the seasonal average for the last five years as a result of leaks and bursts."

Simple steps, at a very low cost, can be taken to help protect pipework from cool temperatures. We are once again sharing these tips with islanders to help prevent loss of water, water damage, and the general hassle that comes with a leak or burst at home or at work."

At the top of Guernsey Water's list of tips, is lagging exposed pipework, essentially providing a layer of insulation to help prevent the water inside pipework freezing, rupturing pipes and forcing joints apart. Lagging can be purchased from many local hardware and plumbing supply stores and comes as a preformed tube, easily slotting onto your existing pipework.

Ensuring you have a working stopcock to turn off the water in your home or business also features as a top tip, preventing loss of water and water damage should a leak occur.

Further information and self-help videos on checking your stopcock is working and how to lag pipework can be found on Guernsey Water's website, water.gg/wintercare