Dripping taps
Although it may seem like a minor problem, a dripping tap can waste a lot of water - dripping taps can easily lose 31,500 litres (7,000 gallons) per year - more than one bathful a week.
Most dripping taps only need a new washer which can be very simple to fix. Here's how to do it:
- Turn off the mains water supply
- Turn the offending tap on full
- Unscrew the cover and loosen the hexagon using a spanner
- Remove the whole tap top
- Lift out the jumper plate and, using pliers, unscrew the nut
- Remove the old washer
- Fit the new washer
- Re-assemble the tap
- Turn the water on again!
Lag your pipes
It is a good idea to lag the water pipes in your loft. Cold winters can cause the pipes to freeze and the thaw can then flood the loft with gallons of water - wasting water and money! Lagging is not difficult and well worth the effort. It saves heating bills too as the water in the pipes stays warm.
Remember though, insulate the tanks and pipes in the loft, but don't insulate the loft floor underneath the water tank or it may freeze!
Frost attack
Don't sit back, fight off the frost this winter. Frost can freeze and burst your pipes and that can mean severe damage to your home and your wallet. Follow our easy tips for a frost-busting, cost-busting winter!
Find your stop tap
It is important to know where your stop tap is and how to use it. Extensive damage can be caused by burst pipes in your home.
Turn off your stop tap before you go on holiday in case there is a plumbing problem while you're away. Label the cold stop tap and hot water valve, and make sure that everyone in the family knows where they are and how to use them.
