Going away, especially in winter

Whether it is a long weekend or a few weeks, a little preparation means you come home to a warm, dry and secure home.

Stop the pipes freezing

In cold weather, keep the heating on low or on a frost setting while you are away. United Utilities recommends this to anyone going away in cold weather.

Make sure you know where your stop tap is before you go. It is usually under the kitchen sink (CCW). For a long trip, turning the water off can be a sensible precaution, but it can affect some heating systems, so please check with us first.

If a pipe freezes or bursts

Signs of a frozen pipe include no water, or just a trickle, from the taps, and frost on a visible pipe. If that happens, the Consumer Council for Water advises:

• turn the water off at the stop tap and switch off the central heating and any immersion heater
• open the cold tap so thawed water can escape
• thaw the pipe slowly with a hairdryer on warm, a hot water bottle or a warm cloth, and never use a naked flame

If a pipe bursts, turn off the stop tap, switch off the heating, and open the taps to drain the system. If water is near your electrics, switch them off at the mains (Thames Water). Pipes and heating are ours to repair, so tell us straight away.

Let us know

If you are going to be away for a long spell, please tell us and leave a number we can reach you on. That way, if a neighbour reports a leak or there is a problem nearby, we know how to get hold of you. It is also worth checking your contents insurance for any rules about leaving your home empty.

Security basics

Avon and Somerset Police suggest:

• lock all doors and windows, and never leave a key under a plant pot
• use timer plugs on lamps so the house looks lived in
• keep valuables out of view
• avoid posting on social media that you are away
• cut the lawn before you go so the garden does not look neglected

Find out more

• Winter advice (Consumer Council for Water)
• Prepare for winter (United Utilities)
• Frozen or burst pipes (Thames Water)
• How to get your home winter ready (Met Office)