British homeowners who are worried about the effect of the cold snap on their properties and would rather try some DIY prevention methods than calling in the professionals have been given some advice by Aviva.
According to the insurance provider, it registered a 500 per cent increase in the number of claims due to water damage last winter – caused by freezing temperatures affecting pipes in homes.
Greg Gladwell, director of household claims at Aviva, commented: "The risk can be worse in traditional properties without modern heating systems or properly insulated pipes."
The company suggested DIYers prepare their homes for the cold by insulating the tops of pipes, as well as cisterns, boilers and water tanks.
In addition, lagging needs to be fitted on pipes and tanks where possible.
Aviva also advised making sure the whereabouts of the stopcock is know and that it can be easily accessed.
Halifax recently stated that it saw 21,000 claims for residential water leaks and floods last year, which caused more than £40 million of damage in total.
Posted by Jenny Summer