Winter weather can burst your pipes and ruin your home. Follow these hot tips to keep the warmth in and the plumber out!

Prevention is better than cure

Find your stopcock - the tap that turns off the main water supply.  Find it now rather than look for it when there's water pouring everywhere!  It's probably in the kitchen near the sink.  You should now check that it is working properly.  If it is not, please report the matter immediately to your area housing office.

Get to know your heating controls.  Central heating thermostats and time switches are complicated.  Get advice from a heating engineer or energy advisor.  For more information please contact the Moray Energy Efficiency Advice Project.

You should try and keep your home reasonably warm and check plumbing each morning to make sure that nothing is frozen. When temperatures are low it is a good idea to open the hatch to the roof space (if your house has one).  This might add to your heating cost but is worth while during winter conditions to give extra protection to the tank and pipes in the roof space.

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When you're at home

If you have central heating use the thermostat to keep the temperature comfortable.  During the day a good setting is between 18°C and 22°C.  If it's freezing outside set the heating to stay on continuously, but turn the thermostat lower for the night.  Remember, the higher the thermostat the more fuel you use.

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When you're away

If you've got central heating and you're away in cold weather, leave the heating on continuously with the thermostat right down to 6°C.  This will stop your pipes freezing, but it won't cost much.  If you haven't got central heating turn the water off at the stopcock and drain off all the cold water. Then turn off the immersion heater. If you have a solid fuel boiler, let the fire die out.  Then drain off all the hot water.  If you need help to drain down your plumbing system please contact your local Area Housing Office where arrangements can be made for an engineer to call.

It is also a good idea to leave keys with a relative or neighbour and to tell your area housing office that you will be away.

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If the worst comes to the burst

If your pipes burst, here's what to . . .

1. Turn the water supply off at the stopcock tap.  It's probably near the kitchen sink.
2. Turn the cold taps ON.  Make sure the sink and bath plugs are out.  And save some water for drinking.
3. Turn the immersion heater and central heating OFF if you have them.  If you have a solid fuel boiler, let the fire die out.
4. Turn the hot taps ON.
5. If there's water near the lights or sockets, turn the electricity off at the meter.
6. Catch leaks in basins and soak up water with towels to prevent water damaging your home.
7. If you live in a Moray Council home phone your local area housing office or if outside normal office hours phone 08457 565656.
8. Keep warm and dry.  Put on extra layers of clothes till things warm up again.

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If your pipes have frozen but not burst

Follow steps 1, 2 and 7 above.  Or if you know which pipe is frozen, very gently warm it with hot water bottles or a hair dryer.  Start from the end nearest the tap.