Leaks that go unchecked can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage and properties can take months to dry out before repairs can be completed. You may therefore need to relocate to alternative premises in order to continue to operate.

As insurers, we have seen incidents where a small water leak has quickly escalated into a much larger loss. Whilst your insurance policy may provide cover should an insured loss occur, it cannot compensate for the inconvenience and disruption you may face.

Acting quickly when you discover a water leak can mean the difference between a small clean up job or extensive damage and inconvenience.

C• Pipework failure, including both compression and push fit joints:

flexible hoses used to connect washing machines and dishwashers and as a consequence of corrosion to copper pipe

• Valve failure, including ball cocks in water tanks

• Frozen pipework due to lack of heating and/or insulation

• Poor workmanship • Faulty equipment

Please contact us at your convenience to discuss your requirements.

Tips for preventing leaks

• Periodically check your stopcock to ensure it turns on and off easily

• Have pipework regularly inspected and maintained by an accredited plumber such as a member of the ‘Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors’ or the ‘Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers’

• Keep on top of simple maintenance such as changing washers and fixing dripping taps

• Check water tanks and cylinders for any corrosion and arrange for central heating systems to be maintained annually

• Lag or fit trace heating to exposed pipework where there is a risk of freezing

• If the property is going to be vacant for an extended period, consider isolating

and draining down the water supply or ensure heating to the property

is maintained (Note this may be a condition of your insurance policy)

• Never leave the plug in water basins or baths

• Install leak detection devices in high risk areas. These devices will detect

a water leak in the earlier stages and raise an alert. They can also be linked to building management systems

and may be able to isolate the mains water supply to the property to reduce damage

• Flow detection devices may also be considered. These monitor the flow of water in pipework to your property and isolate it if abnormal flow conditions are detected

• Turn off your water supply at the main stopcock

• Turn off the electrics and heating

• Drain the water systems by turning on

your taps

• If it’s safe to so do remove items at risk of damage to a dry area

• If water is seeping through ceilings and it is safe to do so, try to collect it in a suitable receptacle

• Again only if it is safe to do so, if a ceiling is bulging you can consider piercing it to release the water and prevent the ceiling collapsing

• Never touch wet wiring or electrical items, isolate it if abnormal flow conditions are detected