Homeowners 'need to check for frozen pipes'

By Marianne Straker, Fri 15 Jan 2010 - Published in Home Insurance

Home insurance policyholders should ensure that their properties are protected from the thaw which will follow the recent cold spell.

LV= Home Insurance recommended people check their pipes to make sure that none have frozen and any which need thawing out can be remedied with a hot water bottle, cloth soaked in hot water or hairdryer.

The organisation also said that homeowners who believe a pipe has burst but contains frozen water should turn off the mains stop tap and contact their plumber.

In addition, the group recommended that people inform their neighbours where their stopcock is located, in case any problems occur while they are away from the property.

John O'Roarke, managing director of LV= home insurance, said: "With temperatures expected to rise at the weekend, homeowners can take a few simple steps to ensure their home isn't damaged as the snow and ice thaws out, giving way to wet weather."

Halifax Home Insurance recently said that it expects the number of claims for burst pipes to rise dramatically while the UK is hit by winter storms.

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