Thames Water has urged customers to take steps to protect their homes from burst pipes as freezing temperatures continue across the region.
The water company said cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and expand, increasing the risk of cracks and leaks, which often become apparent when temperatures rise again during a thaw.
Pipes in unheated areas such as lofts, garages and utility rooms, as well as those running along external walls or supplying outside taps, are particularly vulnerable.
Sarah Holland, Thames Water’s operations service and control centre director, said the company had stepped up its response to deal with the effects of the cold snap.
“A burst pipe is the last thing anyone needs during freezing conditions,” she said. “There are lots of small steps people can take to protect pipes in their homes, and these simple measures can make a real difference.”
Thames Water said it has boosted its workforce to deal with increased demand, with more than 100 repairs a day currently being carried out in response to cold weather-related leaks and bursts on its network. The company said the most serious and high-priority incidents were being dealt with first.
Additional measures include emergency gritting at work sites, with the company also urging members of the public to take care around roadworks, traffic management systems and icy surfaces.
Customers are responsible for pipework on their own property, and Thames Water has advised households to take basic precautions to reduce the risk of damage. These include lagging exposed pipes with insulation, locating the internal stop tap so water can be turned off quickly in an emergency, and ensuring home insurance covers damage caused by frozen or burst pipes.
The company has also advised customers to keep the contact details of an emergency plumber to hand.
Leaks and bursts on Thames Water’s network can be reported online, and further advice on dealing with frozen or burst pipes is available on the company’s website.
