Your Home

How can I prevent burst pipes?

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.

Get to know your heating controls. Central heating thermostats and time switches are complicated. Get advice from a heating engineer or energy advisor. Make sure you know who to contact if you get a burst pipe

 

If you live in a Pembrokeshire County Council home, phone Building maintenance on 0800 085 6622. You can use this number 24 hours a day, seven days a week - but only phone outside normal office hours if the problem is an emergency that threatens your health, safety or security.

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.

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 and 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.

What happens if my pipes burst?

If your pipes burst, or freeze, here's what to do.....

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 Pembrokeshire County Council home phone Building Maintenance on 0800 085 6622. You can use this number 24 hours a day, seven days a week - but only phone outside normal office hours if the problem is an emergency that threatens your health, safety or security. 

What happens if my pipes have frozen?

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.

Contact Information:

Tel: 0800 085 6622
Email: building.maintenance@pembrokeshire.gov.uk