Burst pipes can cause untold damage to a property.

By following these simple steps during the colder weather, you can help prevent this happening in your rented property.

• Keep heating on a low setting all night.
• If there is a loft hatch in the property, open it slightly to allow warm air into the roof space.
• Run taps and flush toilets to check pipes are not frozen.
• If a tap runs dry then the pipes are frozen. Turn the water off at the mains.
• Dripping taps should should have new washers fitted. Please inform The Property Partnership if this happens.
• Place plugs in wash hand basins, baths and sinks to prevent waste pipes freezing up.
• If you are leaving your property for a few days, leave the heating on a low setting day and night.
• If you are leaving your property for a longer period, consider draining the whole water system down. If you wish to consider this course of action at any time, you should first contact The Property Partnership.
• If you are leaving your property unoccupied for more than two weeks, you must inform The Property Partnership.
• If you live in a flat or a maisonette and you are to be away from the property, leave your neighbours a contact number for The Property Partnership (07872 514 797). A flood in an upstairs flat could cause damage to the whole building.
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If you suffer a frozen pipe or water tank or a burst:

• Turn off the water at the stopcock. (Find out where this is now!)
• Switch off the electricity at the mains.
• Switch off the central heating.
• Switch off the immersion or gas water heating appliances.
• Open all taps to drain the tank fully, remembering to collect water for drinking and flushing the toilet.
• If there is a leak, put a bucket under it to prevent further damage.
• Call The Property Partnership 0n 07872 514 797 and report the problem immediately.
• For frozen pipes, treat as burst pipes until the pipes thaw out, then turn the taps off and the water supply back on. Frozen pipes can be thawed gently with a hair dryer or fan heater.

The Property Partnership Emergency Contact Number: 07872 514797