Consumer Advice - Top Tips

1. Make sure you know the location of the stop valve of your incoming water supply main.

2. Locate, identify and label all your other stop-valves for appliances and fittings.

3. Make sure you are aware of any drain valves which you may need to use to drain appliances or your central heating.

4. Ensure all pipes are adequately heated to prevent frozen pipes; particularly pipes in exposed areas such as lofts or attics.

5. In particularly cold weather, take additional precautions. It may be wise to leave a garage door of loft hatch open to allow heat from the house to spread to the loft and warm the pipes and cistern up.

6. If you have a cistern or a water tank in your loft. Check it for signs of corrosion - if corrosion is showing, call a plumber.

7. Frequently check the condition of flexible hosepipes feeding into plumbed-in appliances.

8. Dripping taps and ball valves should be repaired quickly, as they waste water and could lead to further plumbing faults.

9. Boilers and heating equipment should be serviced at least annually by a qualified engineer.

10. Make a note of some trusted plumbers whom you can call upon in an emergency; keep this note in a prominent place or in a location where it can easily be found.