Residents advised to be prepared ahead of freezing temperatures and flood risk

As the UK prepares itself for a cold snap in the coming days, residents are being advised to protect themselves and their homes from the effects of freezing temperatures.

Over the coming days, the UK is expected to experience a range of weather conditions, including freezing temperatures, snow, ice and a risk of flooding as snow begins to thaw.

Laura Lazarus, head of home claims at Aviva, said: “The latest cold snap is set to send temperatures plummeting across the UK this weekend, with a risk of snow and freezing rain in many areas. 

“During these low temperatures there is a risk of frozen pipes, which can cause pipes to burst as the ice expands. A burst pipe can cause serious damage to homes, businesses and belongings, as well as the inconvenience of repairs over the winter months.

“The cold weather will also likely bring poor driving conditions, so we’d encourage motorists to take extra care on the roads whilst temperatures are low. 

“As milder temperatures move in, there could a rapid thaw of lying snow, which could increase the risk of flooding to areas with high river levels, so taking a few simple steps now could help people to keep themselves safe throughout the cold weather.

“If the worst does happen, our claims team are on standby to help customers whose homes, vehicles or businesses have experienced damage. Aviva customers can register their claims online 24/7 or through the MyAviva app.”

Aviva has prepared a list of steps to help residents stay safe and protect their homes throughout freezing temperatures:

• Keep your house and pipes warm by scheduling your heating to come on for an hour or two a day, especially if you are away from home – heating to 13 degrees Celsius will help stop pipes freezing. Whilst it might be tempting to save on energy bills by switching it off completely, it could end up causing damage in the long run. 
• Insulate exposed pipes with specialist insulation called lagging, which you can usually buy from your local DIY store. Don’t forget exposed pipes in the loft, and your cold-water tank.
• Repair leaky taps so excess water doesn’t sit in pipes and cause damage if it freezes. Test each of your taps by turning them fully off – if they continue to drip, get them fixed.
• Know where your stopcock is, in case you need to turn water off in an emergency.
• Turn off the water when travelling or away for an extended period and consider draining the system to prevent any damage.
• Stock up on any essentials in case driving conditions worsen and you can’t safely travel.
• Take care when driving - if you must drive in difficult conditions, remember to reduce your speed, increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front, and drive smoothly to avoid skidding. 
• Sign up and listen out for flood warnings in your area using the Government’s free flood warnings service.
• Move valuables to a higher level (such as high shelves or upstairs) if your home is at risk from flooding.
• Prepare a flood emergency kit in case you need to leave your home. Pack warm clothes, medicines, a torch, batteries, spare house or car keys and bottled water.
• Read your home insurance documents and store them safely, either on your insurer’s app or in your home, so you know what is covered in case you need to make a claim.   

If you have a frozen pipe: 

• Turn off the water supply using your stopcock and open all the cold taps to relieve the pressure.
• Locate the freeze. Check the obvious places like pipes outside or in unheated areas of your home. If you cannot easily locate it, call your home insurer or a reputable plumber.
• If you do find the frozen pipe, you can try gently thawing it using a hairdryer on the lowest setting, a hot water bottle, or warm towels. Never use a blowtorch or heat gun as this could damage the pipe. 

If you have a burst pipe:

• Turn off the water supply using the stopcock to reduce the amount of flooding in your home. You may also need to turn off the cold water tank.
• Drain the system – turn on all your cold water taps and leave them open to allow the water to completely drain away. Once the water has finished draining, turn them off again. Flushing your toilets will also help drain the water.
• Make sure your electrics are safe. If there is any chance your electrics are wet, turn off the power at the mains and call a qualified electrician to help.
• Soak up any water. Use towels for small leaks or use buckets if water is coming through the ceiling. If your ceiling starts to bulge, your home’s structural integrity may be at risk so call a professional to check the damage. 
• Call your insurer as soon as possible to get advice on what to do next and review your home insurance documents on your insurer’s app. Insurers are best placed to help manage your claim from start to finish. Remember to take photos of any damage to your home or belongings.

Aviva customers wishing to make a claim can register their claim online or via the MyAviva site or app. 

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