Water supply warning - wrap it or regret it!

Don’t let the cold catch you out this winter

Burst pipes are the most common cause of home insurance claims in the UK (1) and cost an average of £3,500 in damage to property and contents.  The expense is not the worst of it, months of disruption follows as the property is dried out and repaired.

Frost is the greatest threat to water services throughout the winter.  UK Water Regulations require any fitting or apparatus to be correctly insulated to prevent frost, unless in a location that is heated for more than 12 hours a day (2). It seems obvious when you are scraping the ice from the car on a frosty morning. However, the insurance claims show that many homeowners, landlords and occupiers seem to be unaware of this requirement.

In the worst-case scenario, the replacement of water supply pipes is required.  Traditionally this has required major excavations outside a property and usually a great deal of disruption and trauma within, over several days and possibly weeks – inevitably at high cost.  

WATER SUPPLY REPLACEMENT – AN EASY ALTERNATIVE!

Whether or not the cause is bad weather, the replacement of a leaking, or an old and unreliable water supply can extend timelines and inflate costs.  Sometimes to the detriment of other aspects of a project.  However, there is now a cost-effective solution to this previously expensive operation.  The use of Groundbreaker’s INSUduct  allows the new water service to be routed up the external face of the building and connected to the internal plumbing above ground level.
 
INSUduct only requires one simple core drilled hole through the wall, at an appropriate point to connect with the internal plumbing.  This enables most water supply replacements to be completed within a couple of hours, without the traditional mess and disruption to the householders or occupiers.  The improvement in work efficiency and reduction on the impact to occupants is a win for both contractor and customer.  There is also little impact to the exterior appearance of the property, as the INSUduct system provides a neat, clean finish to the job.

Perfect for planned replacements of old Lead water supply pipes.

INSUduct is also perfect for redevelopment and refurbishment projects.  It is the ideal product for the replacement of original lead water pipes, turning a disruptive and intrusive job into a quick and easy task.  INSUduct is also ideal for developments of multi-occupancy properties.  Designed to optimise space withing the insulating casing, up to three 32mm OD water pipes can be installed to the exterior of the building.  Allowing supplies to be installed at multiple levels of a property with a single insulated duct running up the property exterior.

Groundbreaker products are designed to provide long lasting and effective thermal protection to water pipes and fittings outside the thermal envelope of a building. They offer frost protection for 3 days or more with temperatures as low as -15°C, temperatures we rarely reach in the UK - even with today’s erratic climate!  Carefully fabricated to provide long lasting and effective thermal protection to water pipes and fittings in external situations, the products exceed British Standard 5422 and all relevant Water Regulations for frost protection and is on the “approved list” of most UK water companies.

Steve Leigh, developer of the range and Managing Director of Groundbreaker, has over 40 years’ experience in the Water Industry.  “We’ve been putting pipes in holes in the ground to protect them from frost for decades," he explained.  “Although it works, todays new materials allow for a much better solution.  Keeping pipes on the surface reduces the risk of leaks developing and allows for easy repair and maintenance.  It’s just a much better method of working.”  

Products are available through most builders' merchants and online, details available on the “where to buy” pages the Groundbreaker web site.

 For more information or advice, please visit  the Groundbreaker website, call 01379 741993 or email: sales@groundbreaker.co.uk  

1. https://www.lovemoney.com/news/19726/the-most-common-home-insurance-claims
2. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/1148/mad