Top tips to avoid burst pipes
9 Feb 2010
Burst and frozen pipes can cause severe damage that is costly and a major inconvenience. So, here are some tips from Premierline Direct, a business insurance company, to help businesses avoid facing disastrous consequences during freezing conditions:
London – Prevention is always better than cure so when there is a cold snap forecast, keep the heating system ticking over when you close the premises at the end of each working day. Whilst a lot of modern boilers have frost protection thermostats, those that don’t should be set to a minimal level to prevent pipes from freezing, especially at night when the temperature drops.
You should ensure that all pipes liable to freezing are lagged, and that the condition of this insulation is intact, and of a suitable thickness.
Familiarise yourself with the location of the water valve, so in the event of a burst pipe or if the property is going to be left empty for a substantial time, you can turn off the water supply. You can normally find it under a sink or where the mains water pipe comes into the premises. It is also advisable to turn off the electricity supply as well, particularly if the leak is near to electrical appliances.
Your business insurance policy may state that stock kept in a basement or on the ground floor has to be stored at a specified height above floor level - in most cases, at least 150mm. If a pipe did burst and water came into the premises, failure to comply with this condition of the policy could potentially affect an insurance claim, so it’s best to ensure that stock is stored correctly from the outset.
Notify the insurer if the premises will be empty for more than 30 days as a vacant property will alter the terms of the policy. Your insurer will advise you of the actions to take in this instance, which may include the isolation of all utilities including water, and the draining of water equipment if possible. The premises should also be checked regularly.
Draft a contingency plan to help minimise disruption to the business and keep a copy at home. Cover aspects such as how the business would continue trading if the existing premises couldn’t be used, how you would inform customers and include a copy of your business insurance policy so you can take prompt action.
Check the business is adequately insured and what cover you have. For example, business interruption provides protection against loss of income following a disaster, such as damage caused by a burst pipe; with the aim of getting your business back on its feet as quickly as possible. It provides a financial safety net by covering any reasonable additional expenditure incurred in maintaining the income of your business.
